This red enchilada sauce is super quick and easy! With a smokey base and the perfect tang from tomatoes, you’ll wonder why you ever spent money on the store-bought sauce.
This recipe was originally published on
It may come as a surprise, but a really good enchilada sauce is not cheap. Go to the grocery store and check it out if you don’t believe me! Because I love sauce (I know, you’re so surprised), I was using two packets anytime I needed enchilada sauce. That adds up pretty quickly, so I knew I needed to find a way to make this at home.
Red Enchilada Sauce
Enchilada sauce is really easy to make, so there’s no reason to not make it at home. I’m not lying when this sauce only takes 10 minutes to make. It comes together so quickly, you’re going to love it!
What is red enchilada sauce made of?
All you need is tomato sauce, veggie broth, apple cider vinegar, and some seasonings.
Is red chile sauce the same as enchilada sauce?
These sauces are VERY similar. But enchilada sauce is made with tomatoes and red chile sauce is made with, you guessed it, red chiles. What you prefer depends on your taste!
What is the difference between red enchilada sauce and green enchilada sauce?
This really just depends on the chilis you use. For red sauce, you’d use red chilis (whole, crushed or powdered) and for green sauce, you’d use green chilis (whole, crushed, powdered). Again, what your tastes prefer is up to you!
How do you thicken enchilada sauce?
In this version, I use brown rice flour to thicken it. Nothing else is needed because this sauce should be nice and thick on its own, if you prefer a thinner sauce, add less veggie broth or don’t cook as long to reduce. Pretty simple!
How long does enchilada sauce last?
When stored properly in the fridge, this sauce should last about a week!
This sauce can easily be doubled (just double your ingredients), you could also freeze some to use later on! Just make sure you freeze it already cooled down and in a freezer-safe container. I like to put some plastic wrap over the top of my frozen sauces to help prevent ice crystals from forming.
How To Make Red Enchilada Sauce
- Whisk to combine ingredients.
- Simmer until desired thickness is reached and enjoy in your favorite dishes!
Curious about what you should serve enchilada sauce over? Check out these recipes below:
This red enchilada sauce is super quick and easy! With a smokey base and the perfect tang from tomatoes, you'll wonder why you ever spent money on the store-bought sauce.
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cup veggie broth , low sodium if needed
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon brown rice flour , or regular flour if not concerned about gluten free
- Place ingredients into a pot and whisk until combined. Place pot on stove top and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer slowly until cooked down by 1/2 or until thickened to liking. Use for recipes, as a dip or as a drizzle over main dishes.
- While cooking, the more you reduce the more concentrated the flavors will be, so if you prefer a milder flavor don’t reduce as much.
- This makes about 2 cups sauce. Serving size is 1/4 cup.
amycaseycooks says
Love this post! I am such a fan of making delicious sauces like this one instead of buying the canned version.
veggiesdontbite says
I am so happy you like it!!!! Thank you so much!
Maureen says
I almost didn’t click on this because I thought it was going to be take too long to make. Am glad I clicked through.
veggiesdontbite says
I’m glad you clicked through too! Thanks so much for giving it a try Maureen!
Michelle Rodman says
I made this tonight as I was searching for a “no oil” enchilada sauce. My only regret is that I did not double the recipe. It is so delicious. It will definately be my new go-to enchilada sauce. Thank you!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Michelle! I so appreciate the feedback and great review!
Kelly Randall says
This is now my go-to enchilada sauce. Thank you for making it so easy and delicious! Perfect flavor.
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much!! I have another great enchilada sauce in my book. It’s so easy to make them at home isn’t it? Hope you’re doing well! And we hope to see you some day soon!
Elaine says
Sophia, enchilada sauce is one of my favorite! I am always very picky about the texture and color of it in the result. I stopped by to say that yours is EXCELLENT! In fact, I think that your enchilada is one of the greatest I have seen on the web. Cheers!
veggiesdontbite says
Elaine, thank you so much for your great review! I so appreciate you taking the time to let me know. I’m so happy you like it! I have another enchilada sauce in my new book coming out Tuesday. It’s similar just slighting different proportions of seasonings. Thank you for being a reader!
ian says
Hi! I’ve recently discovered your website and have enjoyed looking through all your wonderful recipes. I wanted to ask you if it was ok to substitute the brown rice flour in this recipe with garbanzo/chickpea flour?
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Ian! Thank you for the kind words. The flour here is basically used to thicken the sauce, so any flour you usually use to thicken would work. I have never used chickpea flour to thicken so I’m not completely sure how it works. But give it a try if you have!
Caroline says
This sauce was so good that I’m finding reasons to have an enchilada almost every day!
veggiesdontbite says
Hahahaha!!!! You crack me up. Thank you so much. I love it so much and it’s so darn easy to throw together. I’m going to put them over burritos this week! With my cheese sauce!
Jenn says
Making this tonight! I have leftover lentils and black beans in the fridge and tortillas that need to be used up. Enchiladas here we come!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Oh yay!!!! So excited! Hope you guys like it!
Ricki says
I bet this would work as a pizza sauce, too! Looks great–and so easy! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Yes, it would Ricki!! It would be a great pizza sauce! I’ll have to try it as I’ve really been into Mexican based pizzas lately.
pragati says
Planning to make enchiladas soon..I don’t have a chili blend so am planning to make my own with some chipotle chillies.
And I prefer homemade too…I can take salsa in a bottle..but for some reason, I am not fond of bottled enchilada sauce!
veggiesdontbite says
That sounds great! Homemade is just so good and not hard to make either!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
having lived in the SW my entire life I know enchilada sauce. This looks absolutely amazing!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Gwen! That means so much. It’s so easy and so good!
Howie Fox says
wow, i never knew how enchilada sauce is put together! Thanks for the recipe. Btw, good point making this at home instead of paying 6 bucks for store bought stuff! Just way too much
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much! It’s so much better than paying for it!
Byron Thomas says
Would you believe me if I said I’ve never tried enchiladas? It’s true! This sauce sounds lovely though. Can I use it on other things?
veggiesdontbite says
WHAT?!!! You NEED to make yourself some enchiladas! Seriously, so good! But yes, this sauce is great on so much. I have a recipe coming in the nest few weeks that will show you another way to use this, but I also have a SUPER easy enchilada recipe coming Monday! You may also eat this with a spoon, drizzle on just about anything, or dip whatever you can find into it. ALL good ways to use it. Did I mention it’s SUPER easy to make?? Well, it is. As in dump everything in a pot and heat type of easy!
LydiaF says
This sauce sounds perfect for us. I used to buy salsa roja from the Latin section of the grocery store, but that’s no longer an option. I’ll definitely be giving this a try!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Lydia! I know you’ll love it, it’s so much better homemade! Let me know when you try it!
Shivani Saxena says
Yummy…going to be my favourite from now.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Shivani! It’s so easy to make I’ll never buy it again! And it tastes even better homemade. Thanks for being here!
The Vegan 8 says
Girlllll I love enchilada sauce! Yours looks perfect! I use brown rice flour to thicken mine too, such a great gluten-free alternative. Use it for my gravies too. My favorite enchilada sauce was always at a local Mexican restaurant here….Mexican food is super popular here down in Texas and it’s spicy with a sweet undertone, so good!! Classic Mexican flavor that I could probably drink lol! I ate more Mexican food and enchiladas growing up than probably anything else, I think that’s why I love Mexican flavors the most and create that type of recipe the most…I can’t get enough. I’ll need to try your version too!! Yum!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Brandi! Yes, brown rice flour is an awesome thickener for all sauces. I use to use it in SO much before I started wanting to use more flavorful and nutrient rich flours. But I still love it for a lot of things and am starting to go back to it. I definitely need to try your enchilada sauce too. I’m sure it’s a different flavor since our areas have different tastes of Mexican food. But I love it all and would love to try something a little different. This sauce is a copy of that favorite store bought one I talk about. I love it so much so I just looked at the ingredients and made it myself! LOL I added a few extra things too, but I can literally eat it like soup. HA!