This easy homemade enchilada sauce recipe is made from simple pantry ingredients that are quickly whisked together on the stovetop. Together they make a flavorful and authentic enchilada sauce that will immediately shine in any Mexican dish. Once you learn how to make enchilada sauce from scratch you will never want to go back to bottled or canned. This recipe is gluten-free and grain-free and it doesn't contain any refined sugars or artificial ingredients.
Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce
This easy homemade enchilada sauce is full of so much incredible flavor and has the perfect creamy thick texture that you will never want to go back to store-bought. Whenever I make it I make a double batch and freeze half of it for later. I'm always using it with nachos, tacos, enchiladas, Mexican stuffed peppers, Mexican stuffed sweet potatoes, etc. I love to have it on hand for anything that needs a Mexican sauce. It is such a basic recipe and comes together so quickly. You definitely should give it a try!
What ingredients do I need to make this easy homemade enchilada sauce?
This easy homemade enchilada sauce only requires five pantry ingredients and a mixture of bold seasonings you likely have on hand. Here is exactly what you need for this recipe:
- extra virgin olive oil
- arrowroot powder (thickening agent)
- double concentrated tomato paste
- low-sodium vegetable broth
- apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar
- seasonings: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and cinnamon
That's it! So easy and so delicious. Plus, very allergy-friendly. Nothing artificial. Only the good stuff in this sauce.
All the ingredients get whisked together in a saucepan on the stovetop. Within minutes you have a flavorful and creamy Mexican sauce to slather on everything.
More Mexican recipes you might enjoy:
In the mood for more Mexican food? These are some of my favorite healthy Mexican recipes (all vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free):
Homemade Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
Spicy Chipotle Guacamole
Creamy Vegan Garlic Cilantro Lime Sauce
Creamy Black Bean Dip
Mushroom-Walnut Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa
Creamy Black Bean and Roasted Sweet Potato Tostadas
Chunky Strawberry Avocado Salsa
Strawberry Salsa
One-Pan Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans
Watermelon Mint Lime Slushie Margaritas (just add a splash of tequila!)
Now, Let’s Make Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce!
This Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce recipe is perfect for so many Mexican dishes. It is naturally vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, legume-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly, Whole30 and refined sugar-free so it works well for many types of diets.
I cannot wait for you to give this recipe a try! Let’s get whisking!
If you love this recipe, be sure to try it on my One-Pan Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas.
Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce (gluten-free + paleo)
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2.5 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This easy homemade enchilada sauce recipe is made from simple pantry ingredients that are quickly whisked together on the stovetop. Together they make a flavorful and authentic enchilada sauce that will immediately shine in any Mexican dish. Once you learn how to make enchilada sauce from scratch you will never want to go back to bottled or canned. This recipe is gluten-free and grain-free and it doesn't contain any refined sugars or artificial ingredients.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons arrowroot powder (also known as arrowroot flour)
- 2 large garlic cloves, pressed
- 2 tablespoons of my Homemade Taco Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- tiny pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons double concentrated tomato paste
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (I like Pacific brand for this recipe)
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- more chili powder to taste (depending on how spicy you like your enchilada sauce)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a saucepan. Whisk in the arrowroot powder until combined, and cook for one minute.
- Add the pressed garlic and seasonings (taco seasoning, salt and cinnamon) and cook for one more minute to allow the spices to toast.
- Add in the tomato paste and then gradually whisk in the broth until the clumps have dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. I like my sauce really thick so I allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from burner and add vinegar. Stir well using a whisk or wooden spoon.
- Taste and add more chili powder if you want it spicier. I usually add ½ teaspoon.
- Serve/use immediately or store for later. If storing for later allow it to fully cool to room temperature before securing the container's lid. See notes below for more storage and freezing tips.
Notes
*Use less chili powder if you don't want the enchilada sauce to be too spicy. Conversely, use more if you like a spicier sauce. Some brands of chili powder (especially international brands) are spicier than others so it will greatly depend on which brand you are using. I like Frontier Co-op brand.
Storage and Freezing Tips: You may want to make a double batch and freeze half of it for later. Store leftover enchilada sauce in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Be sure to let the sauce completely cool to room temperature before transferring to a storage jar. Leave room at the top of the jar for expansion while it freezes. Once the sauce is fully frozen you can screw the lid tightly on the jar.
If you love this recipe, be sure to try it on my One-Pan Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas.
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
This recipe is inspired by The Dizzy Cook's homemade MSG-free enchilada sauce.
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