Cooking is not required to create this delicious quick and easy enchilada sauce! Just stir the ingredients together and like magic you have a beautiful, delicious sauce in just 5 minutes. Oil-free and gluten-free, full of flavor and whole food plant-based ingredients.
I have had a lot of trouble finding a decent enchilada sauce at the store. I'd just like a simple sauce, preferably using organic-quality ingredients so that I'm not enabling the problem of harmful chemicals, and a great flavor. Surprisingly, there aren't a lot out there. So I finally decided it was time to make my own. The results? The best tasting enchilada sauce I've ever tried! And did I mention how quick and easy this enchilada sauce is to make?
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Ingredients & Variations
The flavorings:
Cacao powder, coriander, and molasses bring depth. I image carob could replace cacao powder, though I haven't tried it. Coriander could be omitted.
Garlic and onion powders/granules bring aromatics. If you're missing one, double the other.
Chili powder, chipotle powder, and smoked paprika bring spice. Again, if you're missing one you could replace it with another - just watch out for adding too much heat if adding more of a hot ingredient like chipotle.
Strained tomatoes or other smooth tomatoes/sauces are the easiest to use. If using whole peeled tomatoes instead, use a blender or food processor to break them down.
Tomato paste thickens the sauce and adds a delicious sweetness, while the water softens the flavor a bit and smooths out the sauce.
The salt and lime juice elevate the flavors. If you'd prefer to not add salt, add extra lime juice.
Equipment
You can simply use a large bowl. It helps if there is a pour spout on the bowl; otherwise, you can ladle the sauce into the jars. Alternatively, you can use a blender or food processor.
Instructions
The steps to making this enchilada sauce recipe really are quick and easy, shown here:
Serving
This recipe makes quite a bit of enchilada sauce, enough for at least two meals. It's wonderful with classic enchiladas or in burritos or tacos, or stirred into beans.
While this sauce doesn't require cooking to make it, it is best served heated as part of a meal.
Storage
Keep the jars of sauce in the refrigerator for up to several days. I have not tried freezing the sauce yet, but theoretically that should work!
Tip
If stirring the ingredients in a bowl, make sure you stir well so that the powders get well incorporated. They should no longer be visible when finished.
A wide mouthed funnel like a jam funnel can make the process of pouring into the jars less messy.
Make this recipe with Veggie Enchilada Casserole
Recipe
Quick and Easy Enchilada Sauce
Equipment
- 1 large bowl preferably one with a pour spout
- 1 blender alternatively
- 1 food processor alternatively
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika sweet unless you like it really hot
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- ½ cup water
- 24 ounces strained tomatoes jar
- 7 ounce tomato paste jar
- 2 ½ tablespoons lime juice or juice of one lime
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, blender, or food processor.
- Stir or blend until well mixed.
- Place in two 16-ounce/2-cup jars or containers and store in the refrigerator to use within the week.
