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Home » Traditional Mexican Recipes » Enchiladas » Easy Enchilada Sauce~ Spices in the Cupboard (Street-Style Enchiladas)

Easy Enchilada Sauce~ Spices in the Cupboard (Street-Style Enchiladas)

September 22, 201414 Comments

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An easy enchilada sauce that is ready for your favorite enchilada recipes. Like these street style enchiladas that are a variation to a traditional rolled plate of enchiladas. Often sold in puestos from street vendors in the mercados or road stands in various parts of Mexico. The standout flavors come from the flavorful enchilada sauces which are typical prepared using dried chile peppers. I found myself with only a few dried peppers, so decided to make good use of the spices in my pantry.

Street-Style Enchiladas

 Whether you enjoy your enchiladas folded over, rolls or layered in a casserole, this easy Tex Mex-style enchilada sauce comes together quickly for any night of the week! The enchiladas below are filled with beef picadillo and black beans. A good melting cheese like Monterey jack, muenster or colby jack are delicious on these enchiladas.

For this version in today’s blog post, I gathered my best spices out of the cupboard and prepared a Tex Mex version of enchilada sauce. I often explain to friends that my family’s version of enchiladas was all about the garnishes. Garnished with fresh ingredients, such as crisp lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and just a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco or cotija. In the notes of the recipe, you will find a recipe for Enchilada Casserole. Great for a big crowd or large family. If you would like a more authentic recipe for enchilada sauce, go to the end of the blog post.

The enchiladas pictured are the same ones from above with picadillo and black beans.

Street-Style Enchiladas

The Street-Style Enchiladas pictured above are filled with crumbled queso fresco, sauteed zucchini, bell peppers, onion and serrano. often times, this style of enchilada is folded like a taco instead of rolled. Topped with lettuce, onion, sliced chiles, cotija, sour cream, radishes and avocado.

Enchilada Casserole for a Crowd

When cooking for a large family gathering, I like to prepare a big pan of layered enchiladas.
When cooking for a large family gathering, I like to prepare a big pan of layered enchiladas.
Layered Enchilada Casserole
Layered Enchilada Casserole. Click link to see Mom’s Picadillo (Beef) Recipe!
Mom’s Picadillo con Papa~Ground Beef in Fresh Tomato Sauce With Potatoes
Layered Enchilada Casserole
Layered Enchilada Casserole
This has colby jack cheese on top
Sometimes I like to garnish with corn chips before baking
Easy Enchilada Sauce

Easy Enchilada Sauce

An easy enchilada that’s not lacking in flavor at all! What spices are in you cupboard?
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salsa/Sauces
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

For the Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons avocado or olive oil some people use butter
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons chile ancho powder dark, mild
  • 2 tablespoons red chile powder bright red, mild, Gebhardt brand
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano crushed
  • 1/2 tablespoon dry onion flakes optional
  • 4 cups  chicken stock or broth In a pinch I will use chicken soup base to make a broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes to taste optional

You will also need

  • 12 corn tortillas
  • avocado oil
  • 3 cups cooked finely shredded chicken, beef or pork
  • Lettuce or cabbage finely shredded
  • Tomato slices thin sliced onion, radishes
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • Queso fresco  or cotija crumbled
  • Mexican crema
  • Salsa or hot sauce of your choice
  • Cilantro chopped
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

Directions

  • In a large skillet, heat the 4 tablespoons of oil to medium heat for a few minutes. Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
  • Add in all of the remaining ingredients for the sauce in the order listed, making sure you whisk now and then. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and taste for salt. Cook at a simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until it thickens. Turn to low heat.
  • Transfer the shredded meat to a medium pan and mix in 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce, just enought to moisten the meat. Cover and keep warm on low.
  • In a separate skillet, preheat 1/4 cup of oil to medium heat for a few minutes. One at a time, dip a corn tortilla into the enchilada sauce, then fry it in the oil for 20 seconds per side. Transfer to baking pan, fill with a couple tablespoons of meat and fold over like a taco. Continue dipping and cooking tortillas until all done. Serve right away or keep warm in a low temperature oven. Ladle any extra sauce over enchiladas right before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings listed. Yields 4 servings.

Notes

Prepare the sauce a couple of days ahead of time for even more flavor! To make this sauce gluten free, simple substitute the flour for some masa harina corn flour. Blend 1/4 cup of masa harina with 1/2 cup of water. Whisk into simmering sauce and cook for 20 minutes. 
Enchilada Casserole Recipe
A double batch of Easy Enchilada Sauce, see recipe above
4 cups cooked and seasoned ground beef(Picadillo)
2 cup diced, fried potatoes
3 to 4 cups shredded jack, colby jack or chihuahua cheese
18 corn tortillas
Smoked Paprika
Mexican Oregano
Mexican Crema or Sour Cream for garnish
In a deep dish lasagna pan, cover the bottom with enchilada sauce. Layer 6 corn tortillas to cover the bottom. Add 1/3 of beef and 1/3 of potatoes. Cover with sauce and 1 cup of cheese over top. Repeat 2 more layers, ending with sauce and cheese on top. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and crushed mexican oregano. Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 40 minutes. Under the broiler the last few minutes to brown the cheese. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Yields up to 10 servings.
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

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Filed Under: Beef~Res, Enchilada Sauce, Enchiladas, Sauces, Tex Mex Tagged With: Beef Recipes, Enchilada Sauce, Enchiladas, Tex Mex

Previous Post: « Chile Dry Rub Grilled Chicken w/ Spicy Pickled Onions
Next Post: Con Sabor a Cochinita Pibil ~Low and Slow Shredded Pork »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mama de Leah y Josue

    February 22, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    What size corn tortillas do you use? I plan to make my own. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      February 25, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Use a standard size 5-6 inch corn tortilla

      Reply
  2. Mama de Leah y Josue

    February 22, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    Also any tips on how to keep corn tortillas from breaking when rolled for enchiladas and taquitos? I’m a newbie to Mexican cooking :-).

    Reply
    • Sonia

      February 25, 2017 at 10:22 am

      I like to brush my tortillas with oil and cook them for about 35 to 40 seconds per side on a hot griddle pan. Then I stack them in between foil paper to let them steam a little before filling and rolling them. It is traditional to fry them lightly to soften them, but I find that brushing them with oil works just as well.

      Reply
  3. Mama de Leah y Josue

    February 23, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    Made this tonight for supper. It was delicious! We like lots of spice so we added crushed red pepper and a jalapeño (pureed it with a little sauce, then added it back to the rest of the batch). Thanks for a simple and inexpensive recipe!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      February 25, 2017 at 10:19 am

      Oh, that’s so awesome to hear! I really love this recipe for a quick enchilada dinner night. Thank you so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

      Reply
  4. Susan Purcella

    August 19, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    This is such an inspiring Latin site! Thanks for your efforts…..I’ll surely try these wonderful dishes! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      August 20, 2018 at 8:16 am

      Thank you Susan!

      Reply
  5. Brian

    December 29, 2023 at 6:12 pm

    Your sauce was delicious and imagine it would be good on anything. It was spooned over si.ple chicken tacos that were fried in a pan with oil to crisp them up. Thank you for another great Mexican recipe

    Reply
    • Sonia

      December 31, 2023 at 3:56 am

      Thank you Brian! I do enjoy this sauce and use it for many dishes.

      Reply
  6. Kelly

    January 31, 2024 at 8:02 am

    Hi Sonia. Love the Caldiillo sauce. So easy and yummy! Going to tackle Rellenos today. You mentioned a more authentic enchilada sauce recipe. Is it here? I couldn’t find. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      February 1, 2024 at 3:37 am

      Hi Kelly! Yes, the more traditional enchilada sauce that I use does not include chili powder. Here is the link https://pinaenlacocina.com/basic-chicken-enchiladas-enchiladas-de-pollo/

      Reply
  7. Sherry Pierce

    August 16, 2024 at 1:18 pm

    Love this..I make it all the time. So easy and quick and delicious ! Brava!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      August 17, 2024 at 5:31 pm

      I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe Sherry! It’s quick and delicious!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

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