That's Deelicious!

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Entrees
  • Sauces
  • Sides
  • Videos
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Entrees
    • Sauces
    • Sides
    • Videos
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Sauces

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

    Published: May 16, 2021 · Modified: Jun 3, 2025 by Diana · This post may contain affiliate links · 178 Comments

    Sharing is caring!
    142K
    Shares

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This Easy Red Enchilada Sauce comes together in less than 15 minutes...that's quicker than having to go to the store to buy some!

    It's made with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, and is more flavorful and healthier than the canned stuff!

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

    I've used this Easy Red Enchilada Sauce on our Baked Red Chicken Enchiladas, but I wanted to post this recipe separately since it will be used on many more recipes to come!

    How to make Easy Red Enchilada Sauce

    • Combine the flour and all of the spices in a bowl. 
    • Pre-heat a large saucepan on medium heat, with the olive oil. Once it's hot, add spice mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add tomato paste, and slowly add in chicken broth, whisking each time.
    • Bring to a simmer, and cook 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. (It will get thicker as it cools).
    • Turn off heat, and mix in the apple cider vinegar.

    Ready to serve!

    Recipe Notes

    • This makes enough for one tray of enchiladas.
    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}
    • One batch of this easy red enchilada sauce yields a little more than 2 cups. So, it's equivalent to a store bought 19 ounce can of Enchilada Sauce.
    Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce {Ready in 15 minutes}
    • You can make a double batch and freeze half for another day! (See storage and thawing instructions below.)

    How to store Easy Red Enchilada Sauce

    This Red Enchilada Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

    FREEZER TIPS:

    • Store in a plastic freezer bag, then lay it flat to freeze. This will save space when storing in the freezer, and also allow for faster thawing.
    • To thaw: Place the bag in refrigerator overnight, and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave (covered in a bowl) until warmed through. Whisk or stir until smooth again.
    • Quick thaw: If you froze it flat in a freezer bag, and need it to thaw quickly, simply submerge the bag in a large bowl of warm water. It should take less than 30 minutes for it to be softened enough to be able to easily remove from the bag to heat up.
    tray of baked red enchiladas

    Try it in our Baked Red Chicken Enchiladas, or Beef Enchilada Pasta recipes!

    bite shot of cheesy baked red chicken enchiladas

    Enjoy! 🙂

    TRIED THIS RECIPE? PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW AND A STAR RATING IN THE COMMENT SECTION...WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW IT CAME OUT!

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce is made with just a few simple ingredients, and is more flavorful and healthier than the canned stuff! 
    4.72 from 221 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 cups
    Calories: 64kcal

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 tablespoon flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, and gluten-free flour blends all work!)
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder (I used McCormick brand)
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

    Instructions

    • Combine the flour and all of the spices in a bowl.
    • Pre-heat a large saucepan on medium heat, with the olive oil. Once it's hot, add spice mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add tomato paste, and slowly add in chicken broth, whisking each time.
    • Bring to a simmer, and cook 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. (It will get thicker as it cools.)
    • Remove from heat, and mix in the apple cider vinegar.
    • Ready to use!

    Video

    Notes

    • See Blog Notes for freezing tips, storage, and reheating instructions.
    • One batch of this enchilada sauce yields about 2 ¼ cups. So, it's equivalent to a store-bought 19 ounce can of Enchilada Sauce.
    This recipe was adapted from Cookie & Kate. 
     
    Nutrition Facts are for ¼ cup red enchilada sauce. 

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.5g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 4.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Cholesterol: 2.4mg | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 34.4mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 9.1IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 0.1mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: easy recipe, enchiladas, mexican, red enchilada sauce, sauces
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thatsdeelicious or tag #thatsdeelicious!

    Watch the VIDEO on how to make this Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Cooking Channel  so that you never miss a recipe video!  🙂

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}

    Looking for more Easy Recipes? Give these a try!

    Green Enchiladas with Chicken and Cream Cheese filling (Enchiladas Verdes)
    Green Enchiladas with Chicken {Enchiladas Verdes}
    Instant Pot Chicken Taco Meat {3-Ingredient, 30 minute Recipe}
    Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat {Easy, 3-Ingredients Recipe}

    Sharing is caring!
    142K
    Shares

    More Sauces

    • authentic mexican salsas, salsa roja and salsa verde, red hot sauce and green hot sauce
      Salsa Roja and Salsa Verde Recipes {Taco Shop Red & Green Hot Sauce}
    • mexican crema substitute being poured from a spoon
      Mexican Crema {Easy, Healthy Substitute, made with Greek Yogurt}
    • Easy & Thick Pizza Sauce {No-Cook Recipe}
      Easy & Thick Pizza Sauce {No-Cook Recipe}
    • Healthy Creamy Avocado Sauce (with Greek Yogurt)
      Healthy Creamy Avocado Sauce {with Greek Yogurt}
    4.72 from 221 votes (166 ratings without comment)
    Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest
    Recipe Rating




    guest
    Recipe Rating




    178 Comments
    Newest
    Oldest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments

    Welcome! My name is Diana, but my friends call me Dee. I live in Vancouver, WA with my husband Chad and son Dexter. Here you will find a variety of easy, and mostly healthy recipes that we have tried and perfected!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Mexican Shredded Beef {Easy, Crock-pot or Instant Pot Recipe}
      Mexican Shredded Beef {Easy, Crock Pot or Instant Pot Recipe}
    • Green Enchiladas with Chicken (Enchiladas Verdes)
      Green Enchiladas with Chicken {Enchiladas Verdes}
    • Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 Minute Recipe}
      Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}
    • Easy Thai Red Curry Chicken {One Pot, 30-Minute Meal}
      Easy Thai Red Curry Chicken {One Pot, 30-Minute Meal}

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    That's Deelicious! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2024 That's Deelicious!

    Easy Red Enchilada Sauce {15 minute Recipe}
    wpDiscuz

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.