Homemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce Recipe (2024)

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Looking for a non-spicy enchilada sauce? This easy homemade enchilada sauce recipe won’t take you long to make, it full of amazing flavor, plus it’s very mild, so it’s great for those who prefer a less spicy enchilada sauce.

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I used to always make our enchiladas with canned enchilada sauce. Istill use canned enchilada sauce, but several years ago, I started making my ownhomemade enchilada sauce. That was a game changer for me. The sauce is SO good and it’s easy. Ok, maybe not as easy as opening a can, but it’s really not hard. Seriously.

This particular homemade enchilada sauce recipe got its start with our family several years ago, at Christmas time. For our family, enchilada sauce plays an important partof our holiday celebration.

Christmas Eve in our house meansa big Mexican feast. It wasa tradition that my mother started and eventually David and Iadopted it for our family too. Having this type of Christmas Eve dinner is actually a tradition in many Mexican-American homes and while my husband didn’t grow up with this tradition himself, I’ve always been fascinated with the whole ritual of family gathering together to cook tamales and other items for the dinner.

While I like the tamales and the tacos, myfavorite part of the whole Christmas Eve dinner is actually the cheese enchiladas that I make. They aren’t fancy— just shredded colby-jack cheese rolled up in corn tortillas. Butthe part that makes them truly irresistible is this enchilada sauce.

Today, I use this enchilada sauce off and on all throughout the year – from Christmas Eve to Cinco de Mayo and just regular dinners. It’s a non-spicy enchilada sauce, which makes it great for times when you’re serving those who don’t like spicy foods, or can’t tolerate them.

Sure, I still buy canned enchilada sauce for some of my recipes, but this recipe is a favorite in my house and I make it several times during the year.

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce:

Cooking Equipment Needed for Homemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce:

For this batch,I made it in Farberware Cookware,withTeflon® brand non-stick coating.I was happy with how evenly my sauce cookedandthis particular set isdishwasher-safe, so clean up was easy too.

Homemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce Recipe (4)

Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce Recipe Notes:

–As noted above, this is a non-spicy enchilada sauce. You’ll notice that it does include dried red chile flakes as an optional ingredient. You can leave this out or adjust to your preference.

–The complete recipe which will make approximately 32 ounces worth of enchilada sauce. I find this to be plenty for a large casserole pan of enchiladas, but if you have a smaller family, you might only need half.

–This sauce can be made in advance and keeps well in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I divide up the batch between two 16 ounce glassjars before placing in the refrigerator.

–I’ve tweaked this recipe over the past few years, but it was originally adapted from a Martha Stewart enchilada sauce recipe

Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

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Homemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce Recipe (5)

Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce Recipe

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  • Author: Brandie Valenzuela
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Description

Skip the canned enchilada sauce — thiseasy homemade enchilada sauce recipe won’t take you long to make and it’s full of amazing flavor!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons crushed Mexican oregano
  • 1/21 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 can tomato paste (6 ounces)
  • 32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup water (more or less)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine cumin, oregano and red pepper flakes. Mix flour into seasonings.
  2. In in a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Whisk the flour/seasoning mixture into the hot olive oil. Continue cooking the mixture, whisking constantly for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the broth to the mixture, whisking to combine both the cooked flour mixture and the both. Whisk in the tomato paste and continue stirring and whisking until the tomato paste is completely blended into the liquid.
  3. Continue cooking and stirring frequently. Mixture will thicken, so if necessary, you can add water to thin it out. I usually use about 1/2 cup of water. Add lime juice and salt. Use as desired in your favorite enchilada recipe.
  • Category: Sauces
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Recipe Card powered byHomemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce Recipe (6)

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Homemade Non-Spicy Enchilada Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make enchilada sauce not so spicy? ›

If it is a red enchilada sauce I would cut it with some tomato puree. Just add puree until you get the flavor you like, then adjust the seasoning with salt and maybe a little lime juice. If it is green enchilada sauce, you could roast some tomatillos, puree them and cut the sauce with the puree.

Which enchilada sauce is not spicy? ›

Use Las Palmas® Mild Green Enchilada Sauce to make delicious Mexican staples. Offering a mild level of spice to enhance but not overpower your enchiladas, this sauce is sure to make your meal a hit.

What is traditional enchilada sauce made of? ›

The Best Enchilada Sauce

It comes from a combination of dried spices, which are sautéed in oil to bring out their best, and umami-rich tomato paste. The cinnamon is optional since some people just don't like it in savory applications, but just a pinch adds some lovely warmth and complexity.

How to add flavor to enchilada sauce? ›

Improving upon canned enchilada sauce

If you're using fresh garlic, onion, or peppers, sauté those first in a bit of oil, then combine the butter, stock, and seasonings. Mix in the flour to thicken it, then pour in that canned enchilada sauce, and bring the mixture to a boil.

How do you make homemade sauce less spicy? ›

Sweet Defeats Heat

Adding something sweet to a too-spicy dish is another great way to reduce spiciness. A sprinkle of sugar or honey should do the trick. Or add a touch of sweet ketchup. If it's a tomato-based sauce, stir in a little more tomato sauce and maybe a touch of sugar.

How to make a sauce less spicy? ›

6 Tips to Fix Dishes That Are Too Spicy
  1. Add Dairy. There's a lot of hype about using milk to help provide relief from spicy foods, and for good reason. ...
  2. Use Citrus. ...
  3. Add Nuts or Nut Butters. ...
  4. Sprinkle in Sugar. ...
  5. Add Starch or Grains. ...
  6. Dilute It.
Apr 14, 2022

Is all enchilada sauce spicy? ›

The heat of the enchilada sauces can range from mild to hot, depending on the type of chili used in the recipe. For example, Ancho chili base sauces can be mild, while the ones with serrano pepper will be hot.

Is there a difference between red enchilada sauce and 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.

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

What is a good substitute for enchilada sauce? ›

Tomato sauce is a good way to replace enchilada sauce if you're looking for a milder alternative. It's easy to take a pre-made tomato sauce and spice it and add other ingredients to get closer to a real enchilada sauce.

How to make can enchilada sauce better? ›

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.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

Why is my homemade enchilada sauce bitter? ›

If you taste your enchilada sauce and find it has a bitter or sour aftertaste, this could be simply due to the acidity of the peppers or tomato, if added. Not to worry. Mix in agave syrup or brown sugar, starting with 1/2 teaspoon and adding more until the taste is evened out to your liking.

How do you add depth of flavor to sauce? ›

  1. Use mushrooms to give your sauce umami flavor. ...
  2. Get fancy and make a sauce heartier with a brunoise. ...
  3. Add jarred sauce to a pan of onions and garlic. ...
  4. Add hand-torn basil for a fresher, deeper taste. ...
  5. Fennel seeds can add flavor to a sauce. ...
  6. When in doubt, add sauce to the sauce. ...
  7. Use a combination of fresh and dry herbs.
Feb 26, 2024

How do you tone down canned enchilada sauce? ›

Before you assemble your enchiladas, heat the sauce up and whisk in a little flour and sugar to taste. The flour will neutralize some of the bitterness and thicken the sauce a bit in the process. This can be a good thing, too, as canned enchilada sauce is usually a little thin in consistency.

What if I put too much chili powder in my enchilada sauce? ›

Too much chilli powder can be balanced with something sour and/or sweet. So, consider adding more tomatoes, yoghurt based on what the recipe is. Also you can add some lemon juice. Again, based on the recipe, you can add very little sugar to take the heat off.

What can I add to canned enchilada sauce to make it better? ›

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.

Is enchilada sauce supposed to be spicy? ›

Some "quick" versions of red enchilada sauce may use red tomato sauce or paste as a base. Just like green enchilada sauce, red sauce can range from being mildly spicy to knock-your-socks-off spicy — it all depends on the chili.

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