Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by Michelle Mundy
Surprisingly easy to make, this thick and flavorful Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce uses ingredients from your pantry to bring the flavors of Mexico right into your kitchen!
Canned enchilada sauce has always been our go to… until now. This Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce is simple and easy to make. It takes about 10 minutes and uses common ingredients that most people have on hand!
It is thick, hearty and delicious and includes all of the right spices without any of the preservatives. Served with taquitos, over burritos, or in Chicken Enchiladas, it is an absolute game changer and we will never buy canned enchilada sauce again!
How to Make Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
We have always used store bought canned enchilada sauce when making any Mexican inspired food. This is mostly due to convenience but also because we really had no idea that making it at home was even possible.
Fast forward to recently when our kids wanted us to make Chicken Enchiladas and we had all of the ingredients except for enchilada sauce. It turns out that it is really simple to make.
This sauce is thick and flavorful and so much better than anything we have ever poured out of a can. We love that there aren’t any preservatives and that we can have homemade sauce in just ten minutes.
The little kick of vinegar at the end adds the perfect tangy element and the sauce is absolutely delicious!
In a small bowl, combine together the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano and salt. Mix well and set aside.
Before heating the oil, have the chicken stock and tomato paste on hand and ready to use as the sauce will come together quickly!
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot and shimmering.
One way to tell if the oil is hot enough is to sprinkle a little of the flour mixture into the oil. If it sizzles, it’s ready.
Whisk the flour mixture into the oil until completely incorporated.
Whisk in the tomato paste. It’s ok if it’s lumpy!
Whisk in the chicken broth until the mixture is smooth.
Increase the heat to medium high.
Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce has noticeably thickened.
Remove from heat and whisk in cider vinegar and pepper. Allow to cool slightly before using. Sauce will thicken as it stands.
Use immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months to use another time. Enjoy!
OTHER SOUTHWEST/MEXICAN Inspired RECIPES
Simple Homemade Guacamole – easy and delicious! Bring the authentic flavors of Mexico right into your home kitchen!
Easy Baked Enchiladas – A filling family favorite – make ahead and bake when ready (or freeze!).
Air Fryer Southwest Egg Rolls – Awesome little appetizers that are great in the air fryer or deep fryer.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas – Packed full of flavor and perfect for tacos, burritos and salads!
Baked Mexican Mac & Cheese – One of our favorite comfort food recipes and as a bonus, it uses up leftover shredded meat!
Mexican Grilled Chicken Street Tacos – Marinate in the morning, add some tortillas, lime wedges, cabbage and shredded cheese and you have dinner in no time at all!
Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, combine together the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- Before heating the oil, have the chicken stock and tomato paste ready to use as the sauce will come together quickly.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot and shimmering.
- Whisk the flour mixture into the oil until completely incorporated.
- Whisk in the tomato paste.
- Whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
- Increase the heat to medium high and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce has noticeably thickened.
- Remove from heat and whisk in cider vinegar and pepper.
- Allow to cool slightly before using. Sauce will thicken as it stands.
- Use immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months to use another time. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Diana says
Thank you Janet for being honest.. do you know of a good enchilada sauce recipe? I have been looking for a long time.. Thank you.
The Bandit says
Hi Diana. As I mentioned in my reply to Janet below, this is not a traditional or authentic enchilada sauce (which takes many more ingredients and a lot more time but would be worth it if that is what you are after). This is a tasty enchilada sauce, made with pantry ingredients and better than the canned stuff. If you are looking for an authentic Mexican recipe, I would try more traditional sources of Mexican food recipes like https://mexicanfoodjournal.com/red-enchilada-sauce/. 🙂
Janet says
That’s not how you make it!!
The Bandit says
Hi Janet. While I appreciate your opinion, this recipe is not a traditional or authentic Mexican recipe. This is an everyday ingredients recipe and it is actually really really good. The enchilada sauce I usually use is purchased in a can from the grocery store and this is way better than that, even if it’s not made in the traditional way. 🙂