Imagine transforming your home-cooked Mexican dishes with a rich, vibrant enchilada sauce that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant kitchen. No more store-bought, bland sauces – this quick homemade recipe will revolutionize your cooking with authentic flavors that will make your taste buds dance and your family beg for seconds. In just 15 minutes, you'll create a sauce so delicious, you'll never want to go back to the jarred version again!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add the chili powder and ground cumin to the hot oil, stirring continuously for about 1 minute. This will help to bloom the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Carefully pour in the can of tomato sauce, stirring well to combine with the spiced oil.
- Gradually add the vegetable broth to the saucepan, stirring to incorporate all the ingredients smoothly.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to cook for about 5-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure an even consistency.
- Once the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together, taste and add salt as needed.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Your quick homemade enchilada sauce is now ready to use! You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips
- Spice Blooming is Key: Always toast your spices in oil before adding liquid. This technique, known as blooming, releases deeper, more complex flavors that will elevate your sauce.
- Quality Matters: Use fresh, high-quality chili powder for the best taste. If possible, opt for a blend from a specialty spice store.
- Consistency is Crucial: Keep stirring and watch your sauce carefully. The perfect enchilada sauce should be smooth and slightly thickened, but not too heavy.
- Customize Your Heat: Adjust the chili powder quantity to make the sauce mild or spicy according to your preference.
- Storage Hack: This sauce freezes beautifully! Pour into ice cube trays for convenient, portion-controlled servings that you can use anytime.
- Versatility Tip: This sauce isn't just for enchiladas – use it as a base for chilaquiles, as a dipping sauce, or to add depth to other Mexican-inspired dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 40kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
