This Trader Joe’s style Enchilada Sauce is an easy and authentic recipe, which is made with savory chili powder and smoky cumin. It’s the perfect homemade sauce for elevating your favorite Tex-Mex dishes, ready in just 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce Ingredients
A simple list for a flavor-packed, versatile sauce.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free blend)
- 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce
A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully rich and simple sauce.
- Prep and Bloom the Spices: In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Once the oil is hot, pour in the flour and spice mixture. Whisk constantly for about 1 minute, until the mixture is fragrant and has slightly deepened in color.
- Create the Sauce Base: Whisk the tomato paste into the spice mixture. While still whisking, slowly pour in the vegetable broth. Continue to whisk until there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer to Thicken: Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, whisking often, for about 5 to 7 minutes. The sauce is ready when it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Finish and Season: Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the vinegar. Taste the sauce and season with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and another pinch or two of salt, if necessary.
Recipe Tips
For the most flavorful, perfectly smooth enchilada sauce.
- How to get the richest flavor? “Blooming” the dry spices in the hot oil for a minute before adding any liquid is a crucial step. This toasts the spices and releases their essential oils, creating a much deeper and more complex flavor profile than just stirring them into a liquid.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This sauce is a perfect make-ahead staple. The flavors will get even better as it sits. It’s a great recipe to make on the weekend for quick weeknight meals.
- How can I adjust the spice level? The heat in this sauce comes from the chili powder. Different brands of chili powder have very different heat levels. Start with the recommended amount, and if you want more spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- How to get a super smooth sauce? The key is to whisk constantly as you slowly pour in the broth. This prevents the flour from forming lumps and creates a silky-smooth sauce.
What To Serve With Enchilada Sauce
The perfect pairings for this versatile, classic sauce.
This all-purpose sauce is the heart of many Tex-Mex dishes. It’s perfect for:
- Enchiladas: The classic use! Perfect for chicken, beef, cheese, or black bean enchiladas.
- Casseroles: A fantastic flavor base for a taco or layered tortilla casserole.
- Soups: Use it to add a rich, spicy depth to a chicken tortilla soup or a black bean soup.
- Braising: A great liquid for slow-cooking shredded chicken or pork for tacos and burritos.
How To Store Enchilada Sauce
Keeping your homemade sauce fresh and ready to use.
- Refrigerate: Once completely cooled, store the enchilada sauce in an airtight container or a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: This sauce freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely and pour it into a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 65 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 4 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
As written, it has a mild to medium heat level, depending on the chili powder you use. You can easily make it spicier by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or by using a hot chili powder.
Yes, as the recipe notes, this is easily made gluten-free. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality 1-to-1 all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
Bitterness can happen if the spices or the flour are allowed to burn in the hot oil. Keep the heat on medium and whisk constantly during the “blooming” step, which should only take about one minute.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: Tex-MexDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes10
minutes65
kcalAn easy, 15-minute homemade copycat recipe for a rich and flavorful red enchilada sauce. This versatile, from-scratch sauce is the perfect base for all your favorite Tex-Mex dishes.
Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp ground chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil.
- Whisk in the flour and all the dry spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt). Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly, until fragrant.
- Whisk in the tomato paste.
- Slowly pour in the vegetable broth while whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, until it has thickened slightly.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Season to taste with black pepper and more salt if needed.
- Use immediately or let it cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- “Blooming” the dry spices in the hot oil is the key to a deep, rich flavor.
- For a gluten-free sauce, simply use a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- The sauce is a perfect make-ahead staple and will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
- Don’t be afraid to adjust the chili powder to your personal spice preference.
