Sauce Gravy & Spices
Southern
Yield: 3 cups
Author: Tammy Nichols
Enchilada Sauce - Master Cookbook Recipe # 600

Enchilada Sauce - Master Cookbook Recipe # 600

Ditch the canned stuff for good! This homemade Enchilada Sauce is deep, flavorful, and incredibly easy to pull together. By blooming the chili powder and garlic in a simple roux, you unlock a richness that makes any Mexican-inspired dish taste authentic. It’s perfect for enchiladas, wet burritos, or even as a flavorful base for a taco soup.

This is recipe #600 in Tammy’s Master Cookbook.

Prep time: 5 minCook time: 15 minTotal time: 20 min
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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 large garlic clove, diced or pressed
  • 1 Tbsp diced onion
  • 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup ketchup

Instructions

  1. Start the Roux: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth and starting to bubble.
  2. Aromatics & Spices: Add the chili powder, diced garlic, and onion. Whisk well, allowing the spices to toast slightly in the oil for about a minute.
  3. Build the Sauce: Whisk in the tomato sauce until well combined.
  4. Simmer: Gradually add the water, cumin, salt, and ketchup. Continue whisking until the sauce is completely smooth.
  5. Thicken: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally as it thickens.
  6. Store: Allow the sauce to cool before pouring it into a glass jar.

Notes

Tammy's Tips

This sauce keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 weeks, so it’s a great one to make ahead of time! The addition of ketchup might sound like a Southern secret, but it provides the perfect hint of sweetness and tang to balance out the earthy cumin and chili powder. If you prefer a completely smooth sauce, you can run it through a blender once it has cooled, but those little bits of onion and garlic add wonderful character to your meal. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories

301

Fat

22 g

Sat. Fat

2 g

Carbs

29 g

Fiber

8 g

Net carbs

21 g

Sugar

13 g

Protein

5 g

Sodium

1827 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg