Enchilada Sauce Recipe (Quick & Easy!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the closest thing to enchilada sauce? ›

Picante Sauce

Picante is a specific kind of salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and spices. It's pretty similar to enchilada sauce, though often a bit thinner and less spicy.

If you prefer a creamy enchilada sauce, La Victoria Creamy Chili premade enchilada sauce is the best enchilada sauce at the grocery store. This premade enchilada sauce, which comes in a jar rather than a can, isn't spicy at all, even though it has the word “chili” in its name.

This homemade Red Enchilada sauce is an aromatic and vibrant red sauce made with a combination of dried red chili peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. This sauce tends to have a rich and robust flavor profile with a moderate level of spiciness.

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

Add stock - Chicken, beef, or vegetable, stocks pack a ton of flavor - because they are prepared by simmering bones and vegetables in water for hours, often with herbs and spices until the flavor is extracted - and can instantly elevate the flavor of canned enchilada sauce.

The main difference is that red sauce is made from dried red chile peppers instead of green peppers, and the spices used are sometimes slightly different. This sauce has vinegar, garlic, onions, and other spices like oregano, chili powder, and basil.

Salsa and U.S. picante are tomato-based and can get their heat from chilis, and are often added as a seasoning or flavoring to meals. Enter the enchilada sauce, sometimes called red sauce, which is chili-based but can include tomatoes. Enchilada sauce is also usually a thin liquid.

Corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas, but flour tortillas also work. Choose 7- or 8-inch flour tortillas or 6-inch corn tortillas—they fit best in most pans. Recipes vary, but for a 3-quart rectangular casserole dish, you will need about eight flour or corn tortillas. Get colorful!

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

Do restaurants use flour or corn tortillas for enchiladas? ›

– Enchiladas: Most of the enchiladas that you eat in an authentic Mexican restaurant will be served using corn tortillas. Corn tortillas tend to be a sturdier tortilla and can hold up with they are soaked and drenched in the enchilada sauce.

Dishes such as enchiladas can be authentic or of the Tex-Mex variety. Authentic Mexican enchiladas have a variety of ingredients wrapped and often fried. They can be topped with cheese, chicken, lettuce, or sauces. Tex-Mex enchiladas are typically baked and are made with beef and cheese.

Enchiladas. The American and Mexican enchiladas closely resemble each other, which is some point of agreement between the two cuisines. The US version has more ground beef and may use gravy. The original has less meat and goes perfectly with vegetables.

The most common “red” enchilada sauce may also be called salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas, or mole rojo. This is a sauce made out of ancho/pasilla/New Mexico and/or Cascabel chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, cumin, oregano, etc.

It isn't necessary to cover enchiladas while baking. All of an enchiladas components are cooked and you are just heating them through when you bake them. Ideally your ingredients will be room temperature, not ice cold, when you assemble the enchiladas.

Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, until cheese has melted, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving. Serve and enjoy!

Wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels or a damp kitchen towel, then wrap in plastic wrap or place in a microwave-safe resealable plastic bag (keep the bag open to vent). Microwave until warm and flexible, about 1 minute.