Name: Authentic Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 dried guajillo chilies (cleaned with stems and seeds removed); 2 cloves garlic; 1/4 piece onion (white); 1/4 Abuelita chocolate (tablet); 2 tbs vegetable oil

Pin31K

Share59

Yum

Flip

31K Shares

This authentic enchilada sauce is the real deal. It’s not at all like what you’ll find in Restaurants. Made from dried chilies, onion, garlic and chocolate it is a very simple yet flavorful sauce. This sauce comes together in under 30 minutes. Give it a try for a truly authentic Mexican experience.

dried chilies, onion, garlic and chocolate on a white plate

Truly authentic enchilada sauce does not have tomatoes in it. If you want a sauce with tomatoes then you should try entomatadas.

Real deal enchilada sauce is very simplistic and only requires a handful of ingredients and each cook has their own way of making it.

I first learned how to make enchilada sauce from a friend many years ago. She made hers super spicy using only arbol peppers.

Ever since then I’ve been experimenting with making my own sauces. The one I’m sharing with you today is my go-to.

I use it on my queso fresco enchiladas and it’s amazing! Queso fresco enchiladas is one of the easiest meals ever to prepare.

If you can’t find dried chile peppers at your local grocery store try going to a latin american market. If you live in a big city you shouldn’t have a problem finding them.

Here is the brand I usually purchase

It is very important to make sure the dried chiles aren’t hard and brittle. They should be soft and you should be able to bend them without them breaking.

How to Make Authentic Enchilada Sauce

The first thing you want to do is clean your peppers. I do this with a damp paper towel.

After cleaning them take the stem off and remove the seeds. Put the chilies in a pot with four cups of water and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Let boil for about ten minutes.

Then transfer the chilies to a blender with 2 1/2 cups of the water that was used to boil them. Also add the piece of onion and garlic cloves. Then blend for a few minutes.

While the sauce is blending add about two tablespoons of vegetable oil to a pot and heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot strain the sauce into the pot and stir.

Add the chocolate to the sauce and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for about 10-15 min. Then stir the sauce and season with salt to taste.

I know that adding chocolate to enchilada sauce sounds so odd but it really compliments the sauce. It doesn’t overpower the sauce at all. It just adds to it and gives it a more complex flavor. You could leave it out but I don’t recommend it.

The enchilada sauce is now done. It is so good. It’s really hard to keep myself from dipping my fingers in it and eating it all.

Now if all you’re used to is the enchilada sauce you get at restaurants or from a can then this is going to be a whole new experience for you.

I highly recommend you experiment with different dried chilies when making enchilada sauce. Not only is it a lot of fun but you will become more familiar with the flavors of each different type of chile.

I suggest experimenting with guajillo, ancho and arbol peppers. But be careful with the arbol variety those are extremely spicy.

The sauce will stay good in the fridge for a few days but we usually finish it sooner.

Enchilada Sauce Tips

Make sure the chilies aren’t hard and brittle.
Always wash your hands after working with dried chilies. You can wear gloves if you wish.
Do experiment with different chiles so you can find out what your favorite combination is for your perfect enchilada sauce. (We all have different tastes!)

Authentic Homemade Enchilada Sauce

This red enchilada sauce is the real deal. It is a truly authentic Mexican recipe that will impress friends and family. It taste great with all types of enchiladas!

Don’t forget to join the Latin American Foodies Facebook group where you can share photos and recipes of the delicious food you make at home!

Recipes you may like

4.03 from 83 votes