Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (2024)

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4.53 from 21 votes

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This easy green enchilada sauce is made with tomatillos, peppers, onion, and garlic. It’s quick, flavorful, and can be made ahead of time!

You are going to love this green sauce! It perfect with chicken or cheese enchiladas. And it freezes well so you can make a double batch and store it for later use.

Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (1)

Table of Contents

  • 1 Green Enchilada Sauce
  • 2 Green Enchilada Sauce Ingredients:
  • 3 How to Make Green Enchilada Sauce:
  • 4 Green Enchilada Sauce Variations:
  • 5 How to Store Green Enchilada Sauce:
  • 6 Green Enchilada Sauce

Green Enchilada Sauce

Have we mentioned how much we love Mexican food? We have a Mexican meal at least once a week! We recently made fish taco sauce to serve with our Mexico-inspired tacos.

One thing we love most is enchiladas loaded with cheese or chicken. Usually, we do half a pan of cheese and half a pan of chicken because the lady here is vegetarian.

We’ve found that we most enjoy our cheese and chicken enchiladas with green sauce. It’s fresh flavorful and comes together in a snap! It’s also great with red enchilada sauce!

It takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish and the ingredients are very simple. Tomatillos, peppers, onion, garlic, and a few seasonings make up the flavor of the sauce.

This recipe is mild but it’s easy to make it spicier if you’d like. Just leave the ribs and seeds in the peppers for added heat.

There are a variety of ways to serve this sauce too! Of course, you can spread it over enchiladas but it’s also great over tacos, nachos, or even fish tacos!

Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (2)

Green Enchilada Sauce Ingredients:

To make this green enchilada sauce recipe, you will need:

  • Tomatillos: They are roasted to bring out the best of their flavor.
  • Pablano peppers: You can also use Anaheim peppers. Choose whichever one is available to you.
  • Jalapeños: They add just a little bit of spice.
  • Garlic:It’s cooked down so it’s mild and soft.
  • Onion:They are cooked in a foil pack with the garlic so they mellow out and become sweet.
  • Chicken stock: Vegetable broth can be used for a vegan/vegetarian version.
  • Spices: We added a little cumin, salt, and pepper but feel free to play around here.
Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (3)

How to Make Green Enchilada Sauce:

To make this flavorful green enchilada sauce, simply…

  1. Roast the tomatillos and peppers. Slice them and place them on a baking sheet. Put the onion and garlic in a foil pack and place that on the baking sheet also. Roast under the broiler for 10-15 minutes then let everything cool for about 10 minutes.
  2. Puree. Place everything in a blender and puree until smooth.
  3. Use it right away or refrigerate it for later. Serve it with cheese and/or chicken enchiladas.

Green Enchilada Sauce Variations:

There are quite a few ways you can doctor up this green enchilada sauce recipe.

  • Make it spicier: If you want the sauce to be spicier, leave the seeds and ribs on the peppers. You can also add a dash of cayenne to the blender. Or add a couple serrano peppers.
  • Use canned chilis: If you can’t find tomatillos or peppers, you can use 16 ounces of canned green chilis instead.
  • Add cilantro: If you like cilantro, you can add ½ bunch to the blender.
Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (4)

How to Store Green Enchilada Sauce:

Refrigerate– Allow the sauce to cool for about 1 hour then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freeze– Allow the sauce to cool for about 2 hours then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

If you enjoyed this sauce and want to try more like it, these are great:

  • Simple Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
  • Yum Yum Sauce
  • Béarnaise Sauce

Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (5)

Green Enchilada Sauce

Sauce Fanatic

This easy green enchilada sauce is made with tomatillos, peppers, onion, and garlic. It’s quick, flavorful, and can be made ahead of time!

4.53 from 21 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 12

Calories 24

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces tomatillos, peeled, rinsed, and sliced in half
  • 8 ounces Anaheim or Poblano peppers, sliced in hallf, seeds and ribs removed
  • 2 jalapeños, sliced in half, seeds and ribs removed
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and sliced in half
  • 1 cup chicken stock, vegetable stock can also be used
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and turn on the broiler.

  • Place the tomatillos and peppers on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drizzle them with a little oil and toss to coat. Arrange them so they are skin side up.

  • Place the garlic and onion in a foil pouch. Drizzle with oil and seal the pouch closed. Place the pouch on the baking sheet with the peppers and tomatillos.

  • Bake under the broiler until tomatillos and peppers are charred, about 10-15 minutes. But this can vary depending on your oven so keep a close eye on it.

  • Carefully unwrap the onions and garlic then set everything aside to cool for about 10 minutes.

  • Place everything in a food processor along with the chicken stock, cumin, salt, and pepper. Puree until completely smooth.

  • Taste and add more salt, pepper and/or cumin if needed.

  • Serve immediately over enchiladas.

Make ahead tip

  • Refrigerate – Cool for 1 hour then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

  • Freeze – Cool for 2 hours then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 4tablespoonsCalories: 24kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 224mgPotassium: 131mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.4mg

The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients you used in the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (2024)

FAQs

How to make can green enchilada sauce better? ›

To make your canned enchilada sauce taste homemade, grab some butter, a little flour, and some chicken stock. This trifecta of ingredients infuses a canned enchilada sauce with a satisfyingly thick texture and a rich, savory flavor.

What's the difference between green enchilada sauce and verde sauce? ›

Green Enchilada Sauce Versus Salsa Verde

There are two main differences between green enchilada sauce and salsa verde. Enchilada sauce is cooked, while salsa verde is raw. Enchilada sauce is thinned out with a liquid (usually stock or water), while salsa verde is simply chopped or puréed vegetables and peppers.

What is green enchilada sauce made of? ›

What is green enchilada sauce made of? Green enchilada sauce, or verde sauce, primarily consists of tomatillos, green chilies, onions, garlic and lime juice. Sometimes spices such as cumin are included, as well as cilantro.

What is a substitute for green enchilada sauce? ›

Salsa Verde is a fantastic replacement for green enchilada sauce. Most salsa Verde is a little simpler than green enchilada sauce, often just a mix of tomatillos and jalapenos without other spices. Enchilada sauce is often a bit more complicated, including onions, garlic, spices, and other additions.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Sliced radishes, crunchy pickled red onions or jalapenos, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro lighten a heavy, cheesy sauce, lending fresh flavor and bold color. Take simple beef enchiladas in a Tex-Mex direction with dollops of sour cream and chopped raw onion.

How do you make green enchilada sauce less bitter? ›

Before you assemble your enchiladas, heat the sauce up and whisk in a little flour and sugar to taste. The flour will neutralize some of the bitterness and thicken the sauce a bit in the process. This can be a good thing, too, as canned enchilada sauce is usually a little thin in consistency.

Which tastes better red or green enchilada sauce? ›

These sauces also differ in flavor as the green sauce has a very fresh flavor, and the red sauce has a more earthy flavor. Both sauces range from mild to very hot, depending on which peppers are used.

How to thicken green enchilada sauce? ›

Or alternately, you can thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cold water and cornstarch whisked together, then added to the sauce once it has reached a simmer). Storage instructions: Let the sauce cool to room temperature.

Which is hotter Mexican red or green sauce? ›

Typically, red hot sauce is flavored with ripened red chilis and is typically a lot hotter than green. Red also typically has what many people describe as a more “earthy” taste, while green tends towards a “fresher” taste.

How to cook real good green enchiladas? ›

Warm the tortillas and give them a dip in some green enchilada sauce (from a can—this recipe is all about ease) before you fill and bake them. Fill, roll and arrange the tortillas in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour green enchilada sauce over the whole gorgeous mess, top with a little more cheese, and bake until bubbly.

What is in Las Palmas green enchilada sauce? ›

WATER, GREEN CHILE PEPPERS, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, SUGAR, JALAPENO PEPPERS, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, CITRIC ACID, MALTODEXTRIN, YEAST EXTRACT, DISTILLED VINEGAR, ONION POWDER, SPICES, GARLIC POWDER, TORULA YEAST, CARAMELIZED SUGAR, SPICE EXTRACTIVE.

What is an authentic enchilada made of? ›

This Mexican enchiladas recipe is the real thing. Corn tortillas are dipped in a homemade sauce, fried, filled with Mexican queso fresco, then topped with sour cream, lettuce, and tomato.

How do you enhance canned green enchilada sauce? ›

Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

What if I don't have enchilada sauce? ›

There's no cooking or heating involved to make it, so it's ready to go into your Mexican dishes in no time! You can often use Taco sauce in place of enchilada sauce, and salsa is a good substiture too.

What can I add to green enchilada sauce to make it less spicy? ›

Most green enchilada sauce recipes will tell you to add a seeded serrano pepper. This chili packs a fiery punch between 10,000 to 23,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). So, instead of serrano, you can opt for a small jalapeño. Rated only between 2,000 to 8,000 SHU, this will reduce the spice down to only a gentle tingle.

What can you add to canned enchilada sauce to make it taste better? ›

Then when the sauce is almost finished, a quick blend with a blender or immersion blender results in a smooth sauce. Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

How do you get the bitterness out of canned enchilada sauce? ›

Sugar And Flour Are All You Need To Fix Bitter Canned Enchilada Sauce.

How do you make can sauce taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

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