A mix of dried New Mexico and guajillo chiles plus Mexican spices create an authentic homemade red enchilada sauce for enchiladas, chilaquiles and more.
Course sauce
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword enchilada sauce
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 15 minutesminutes
Total Time 25 minutesminutes
Servings 3cups sauce
Calories 192kcal
Ingredients
3cupswater
2ouncesdried guajillo chilesstemmed and seeded
1ouncedried New Mexico chilesstemmed and seeded
1cinnamon stickoptional
2tablespoonsvegetable oildivided
¼cupchopped yellow onion
1medium tomatoseeded and chopped
1large garlic clovepressed or minced
1teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoondried oregano
½teaspoonsmoked paprika
¼teaspoonground cumin
Instructions
In a heavy saucepan, bring water, chiles and the cinnamon stick (if using) to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chiles are tender. Drain the chiles, discard the cinnamon stick (if using) and reserve the cooking liquid in a measuring cup and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato, garlic, salt, oregano, smoked paprika, and cumin and cook for about 5 minutes more.
Transfer the mixture to a blender and add the chiles plus 2 cups of the cooking liquid and puree until smooth. Strain the sauce through a fine strainer and discard the pulp. Add more cooking liquid to thin the sauce to your liking.
Heat the remaining oil in the same sauté pan over high heat. Slowly add the sauce being careful to avoid the splatters. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat to low and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use or freeze flat in gallon freezer bags for up to 3 months.