Enchilada Spice Blend

Effortless Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe

With your homemade enchilada seasoning blend ready, crafting a rich and flavorful red enchilada sauce is incredibly simple. This quick recipe will yield a sauce that tastes authentic and far superior to anything from a can, perfect for smothering your favorite enchiladas or using in other Mexican-inspired dishes.

To make a classic red enchilada sauce:

In a medium saucepan, combine 16 ounces of high-quality tomato sauce with 1/2 cup of water or, for an even richer flavor, chicken broth. Stir in 2 tablespoons of your freshly prepared enchilada seasoning mix. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth. Place the saucepan on the stove over high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let the sauce cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. This simmering process also helps the sauce thicken slightly to a perfect consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash more broth or water. If you like it thicker, continue to simmer for a few more minutes. This homemade enchilada sauce is now ready to use for your next batch of delicious enchiladas or any recipe calling for a robust red sauce!

Mastering Homemade Enchiladas From Scratch

Once you have your homemade enchilada seasoning and rich red sauce prepared, assembling incredible enchiladas is a rewarding culinary journey. This guide will walk you through preparing various delicious fillings and assembling your enchiladas to perfection. The beauty of homemade enchiladas lies in their versatility, allowing you to tailor them to your preference with chicken, beef, vegetables, or simply cheese.

Preparing Your Favorite Enchilada Fillings:

For a Hearty Ground Beef or Turkey Filling:

• In a large skillet, brown 1 pound of ground turkey or beef over medium-high heat. Cook until the meat is fully cooked through and no pink remains.
• Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet.
• Stir in 1/2 cup of your prepared red enchilada sauce into the cooked meat. Toss to coat evenly.
• Remove from heat and set aside. This flavorful mixture is ready for assembly.

For a Flavorful Vegetable Filling:

• Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add 1 cup of sliced red onion, 2 cups of sliced bell peppers (any color), and 1 cup of sliced mushrooms.
• Sauté the vegetables for 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
• Stir in 1/2 cup of the red enchilada sauce.
• Remove from heat. This vibrant and healthy filling is ready.

For a Tender Shredded Chicken Filling:

• For convenience, I highly recommend using pre-cooked, shredded chicken. A store-bought rotisserie chicken works wonderfully, or you can quickly prepare shredded chicken using this Pressure Cooker Chicken Taco Meat recipe in an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker.
• Toss 1 pound of cooked, shredded chicken with 1/2 cup of the red enchilada sauce until evenly coated. This ensures every bite is infused with flavor.

For a Classic Cheesy Filling:

• A simple yet satisfying option, a cheese filling is always a hit. I love a blend of sharp cheddar and spicy pepper jack cheese for optimal flavor and melt.
• You’ll need approximately 4-6 cups of shredded cheese, depending on how generously you like your enchiladas filled and topped.

Assembling Your Perfect Enchiladas:

Now that your filling is ready, follow these steps to assemble beautiful, mouth-watering enchiladas. This method works for any of your chosen fillings, be it protein, vegetables, or cheese.

1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread a thin, even layer of your homemade enchilada sauce across the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. This prevents sticking and adds an initial layer of flavor.
2. Sauce the Tortillas: Pour about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce onto a large, shallow plate. This will be used to lightly coat your tortillas before filling.
3. Warm the Tortillas (Crucial Step): If you are using corn tortillas, it is essential to warm them first to prevent tearing during rolling. Wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave them for 60 seconds. This makes them pliable and easy to work with.
4. Coat a Tortilla: Place one tortilla in the plate of sauce, pressing down gently to ensure both sides are lightly coated. This adds moisture and flavor, helping the enchiladas stay moist during baking.
5. Add More Sauce & Filling: Spoon a thin layer of sauce onto the side of the tortilla facing up. Then, add a generous portion of your chosen filling (ground beef, chicken, vegetables, or cheese) down the center of the tortilla. Sprinkle with a little extra shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for added gooeyness.
6. Roll and Place: Carefully roll up the tortilla, enclosing the filling. Place the rolled enchilada, seam side down, into your prepared baking dish.
7. Repeat Assembly: Continue this process, preparing and rolling the remaining tortillas, until you have approximately 8 enchiladas neatly arranged in the baking dish. They should fit snugly.
8. Top with Sauce & Cheese: Spoon another light layer of the red enchilada sauce evenly over all the enchiladas in the baking dish. Then, liberally sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese over the top, creating a blanket of deliciousness.
9. Bake to Perfection: Bake the enchiladas in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbling, and the edges are slightly golden.
10. Serve: Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with your favorite Mexican accompaniments, such as fresh salsa, cool sour cream, creamy guacamole, sliced avocado, or chopped cilantro. Enjoy your homemade enchilada masterpiece!

Creative Uses for Your Versatile Enchilada Seasoning

While this homemade seasoning blend is undoubtedly perfect for classic enchiladas, its robust and balanced flavor profile makes it incredibly versatile for a multitude of other dishes. Don’t limit its potential to just one meal! Here are some inspiring ideas and proven recipes to help you incorporate this delicious spice mix into your daily cooking:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup: Elevate a simple chicken soup into a comforting, spicy bowl of goodness. The seasoning provides all the depth needed to transform ordinary ingredients into a rich, hearty soup.
• 20 Minute Enchilada Pasta: For a quick and satisfying weeknight meal, stir this seasoning into a one-pot pasta dish with ground meat, beans, and corn. It infuses the pasta with irresistible Tex-Mex flavor, making it a family favorite.
• Chilaquiles: Start your day with a flavor explosion by using this blend in your chilaquiles sauce. It’s perfect for coating crispy tortilla chips, creating a savory and spicy base for eggs, cheese, and salsa.
• Veggie Enchiladas with Mushrooms and Squash: This seasoning shines in vegetarian dishes, lending a vibrant, earthy depth to roasted vegetables like mushrooms and squash. It’s the key to making plant-based enchiladas incredibly flavorful and satisfying.
• Low Carb Enchiladas with Zucchini: Embrace a healthier option by swapping traditional tortillas for zucchini. The seasoning ensures your low-carb enchiladas lose none of their authentic taste, making them a delicious and guilt-free meal.
• Roasted Vegetables: Toss cubed potatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, or cauliflower with olive oil and a generous sprinkle of the enchilada seasoning before roasting for a simple yet incredibly flavorful side dish.
• Marinade for Meats: Mix the seasoning with a little olive oil, lime juice, and minced garlic to create a fantastic marinade for chicken, steak, or pork. Let the meat soak up the flavors before grilling or pan-frying.
• Flavorful Dips: Stir a teaspoon or two into plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese for a quick and delicious dip for chips, veggies, or quesadillas.
• Taco & Burrito Booster: Sprinkle a little into your ground meat for tacos or burritos for an extra layer of authentic enchilada flavor, complementing your existing taco seasoning.

Essential Tips for the Best Enchilada Seasoning

To ensure your homemade enchilada seasoning is always perfect and yields the most delicious results, keep these essential tips in mind. They cover everything from customizing flavor to proper storage, helping you maximize the potential of your spice blend.

• Adjusting the Heat Level: This base seasoning mix is designed to be mild, appealing to a wide range of palates. If you prefer your enchiladas with a fiery kick, I highly recommend adding 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or more, to taste) to the other spices during mixing. This will introduce a noticeable warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
• Adding a Touch of Sweetness: This seasoning blend is naturally sugar-free, making it a great option for those avoiding added sugars. However, a small amount of sweetness can sometimes round out the flavor profile and enhance the richness of the chili. If you enjoy a hint of sweetness, consider adding 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar to the mix.
• Scaling the Recipe: This recipe yields approximately 6 tablespoons of enchilada seasoning mix, which is perfect for several batches of enchiladas. If you frequently make Tex-Mex dishes or simply want to stock up, you can easily double or triple the batch. Look for the “2X” button often found in interactive recipe cards (at the bottom of this post) to automatically adjust ingredient quantities, making scaling a breeze.
• Optimal Storage for Freshness: The enchilada spice mix will maintain its peak flavor when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry for up to 6 months. While spices won’t “go bad” in the traditional sense beyond this period, they will gradually begin to lose their potency and vibrant flavor. For best results, aim to use the blend within this timeframe.
• Recommended Storage Container: For convenient storage and easy access, I suggest using an 8-ounce mason jar. Its tight-fitting lid creates an excellent seal, protecting your spices from air and moisture. Always remember to label your jar with the date it was made to easily keep track of its freshness.
• Dietary Compliance: You’ll be pleased to know that this enchilada seasoning recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Additionally, it is Whole30 approved, aligning with strict dietary guidelines for clean eating, free from grains, legumes, dairy, sugar, and alcohol.

Explore More Homemade Seasoning Blends

Once you discover the joy and superior flavor of homemade seasoning, you’ll want to stock your pantry with a variety of blends to enhance every meal. Ditch the store-bought packets and embrace fresh, customizable spice mixes for all your culinary adventures!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months.

Notes

• To make red enchilada sauce, add 16 ounces of tomato sauce to a medium sauce pan with 1/2 cup water, or chicken broth. Add 2 tablespoons of seasoning mix. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil on the stove over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 5 minutes.
• Refer to the blog post above for instructions on how to make ground beef, chicken, veggie or cheese enchiladas.
• This seasoning mix is mild. If you’d like to spice things up a bit, I recommend adding 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
• This seasoning blend is sugar-free. If you’d like to add sweetness to the mix, I recommend adding 2 teaspoons granulated sugar.
• This recipe makes 6 tablespoons of enchilada seasoning mix. If you’d like to make a double batch of the seasoning, simply adjust the quantities of ingredients.
• The enchilada spice mix will stay good, stored in an airtight container in the pantry, for up to 6 months. After that the spice blend will not “go bad” but as spices sit longer, they begin to lose their flavor.
• I recommend storing the seasoning mix in an 8 ounce mason jar. I recommend labeling the enchilada seasoning with a date and using the seasoning mix within 6 months.
• This seasoning recipe is naturally gluten-free and Whole30 approved.

Nutrition Facts