Enchilada sauce forms the core of any Mexican delicacy. You will find this sauce always on the table if you happen to visit any restaurant serving authentic Mexican dishes. This spicy sauce can make or break an authentic Mexican dish. Hence, it is vital to get the recipe right every time.
If you cannot invest too much time to cook the perfect enchilada sauce, then you can try the canned versions available in the market. There are many brands in the market that have mastered the recipe right and use the fresh ingredients for their recipe.
The secret to a great enchilada sauce begins with the right ingredients. Tomato paste and chili paste form the key along with dried spices that bring in the bold flavors while sautéing. One has to get the ratio of tomatoes and chilies right to get the perfect enchilada sauce.
All popular brands have their own version of enchilada sauce. A few offer the basic, authentic recipe. Then there are a few brands that love to experiment with the taste and include additional herbs and spices. No matter which flavor you prefer, it is good to stock canned enchilada sauce if you love treating yourself to Mexican dishes.
Without the distinctive chili sauce, your enchiladas do not taste authentic. This is why if you lack time to prepare one, you can hit the market to find the canned alternatives available in the supermarket. In this way, you can quickly make a scrumptious Mexican meal in no time.
With numerous options available in the market, it can be a mammoth task for you to pick the perfect enchilada sauce as per your requirements. This review provides you an idea of what is being offered in the market so that your next purchase of enchilada sauce would be without any regrets.
We have focused on the prominent brands of enchilada sauce available in the market that are close to offering the traditional recipe. Most of the brands listed in this review offer the green varieties as well. However, the red sauce is the one used in authentic recipes. You can choose the green one if you are in a mood to experiment with your recipe.
We bring to you our top 5 recommendations in this review. There are many more brands that offer enchilada sauce. However, we have restricted this review to top 5 brands. We have reviewed these top 5 enchilada sauces in detail. We have highlighted the things to consider before buying the best canned enchilada sauces. You can go through these to pick the perfect enchilada sauce as per your requirements.
Editor’s Choice Top 5 Canned Enchilada Sauce
10 Best Canned Enchilada Sauce Reviews
1. Rosarita Enchilada Sauce
Rosarita Enchilada Sauce, Keto Friendly, 1.25 Pound (Pack of 12)
Highlighted Features
- Goes well with variety of traditional Mexican dishes
- This tomato based sauce has mild heat level
- Offers 20 calories per serving
- Has zero trans fat
- Made from fresh ingredients
- This American brand tops our list when it comes to enchilada sauce reviews. This brand has
- been into Mexican food business since the forties. What we admire about the recipe of
- Rosarita Enchilada sauce is that tomato paste tops the list of ingredients. Although chili
- should be the key ingredient, this one has tomato paste as its base.
If you carefully look into the ingredients, you will find that red chili puree is also an ingredient in Rosarita Enchilada Sauce. This contributes to a tingly chili taste in the recipe. The taste is mild and not spicy. It also comprises of natural gums that serve as stabilizers.
Cooking enthusiasts and many chefs applaud the refined taste of Rosarita Enchilada Sauce. Many users have agreed that it makes exquisite dishes whether at restaurants or at homes. The manufacturers emphasize clearly on its low acidity level and its layered flavor.
Rosarita has over 70 years of experience in making delicious Mexican sauces and refried beans. You can indulge in variety of traditional Mexican dishes with this enchilada sauce. This sauce has a mild heat level. It tastes incredibly good with cheese and chicken enchiladas. You can get creative and invent your own recipe with this enchilada sauce.
If you feel like treating yourself to a Mexican night at home, then you cannot go wrong with Rosarita Enchilada Sauce. This nearly authentic tasting sauce offers just 20 calories with serving. The best thing is that it has zero trans-fat. This is something that would appeal to health conscious people.
You can also use Rosarita Enchilada Sauce to elevate the flavors of a bland meal that you cooked accidentally or without your heart in it. You would certainly not be disappointed with the end result if you experimented a bit with this delightful offering from Rosarita.
Pros
- Has a refined taste when compared to other canned enchilada sauces
- Offered by a renowned brand
- Has a smoky chipotle flavor
- Better taste when compared to restaurant enchilada sauces
- Packed perfectly
Cons
Additional ingredient consists of MSG
2. El Pato Red Chile Enchilada Sauce
El Pato Red Chile Enchilada Sauce, 28 oz.
$8.41 in stock
Highlighted Features
- Fresh tasting enchilada sauce
- Consists of fresh chilies instead of chili powder
- Does not contain any preservatives
- Offered by a reputed brand with presence in the market for over 80 years
- Is Gluten free and has rich flavors
- El Pato sauces have been in the market for over 80 years. This makes El Pato sauces a reliable offering in the market that has been appreciated for over eight decades. If you want to master Mexican cookbooks that you own, then this is the base sauce that you must consider to cut down your cooking time.
This red chili enchilada sauce by El Pato is a simple sauce with complex flavors. The key ingredients are tomato puree and red chilies. It has been made from real chilies instead of powder. This is the reason why it stands apart from the rest of enchilada sauces available in the market.
The users adore its apparent simplicity, absence of preservatives and the choice of ingredients. The freshness in taste is yet another reason why this enchilada sauce is at par with other canned sauces. If you love all natural ingredients, then this is the sauce that you must go for.
The only drawback is the availability in one large can. This implies that you will have to freeze the leftovers for a long time which would not be the case had it been available in smaller sizes.
The price factor makes El Pato Enchilada Sauce a great option available in the market. You get all the great features for a nominal rate when you opt for this brand.
Pros
- Has a great flavor
- Has whole chilies which impart a fresh taste to this sauce
- Made with simple ingredients
- Offers just 15 calories per serving
Cons
- Does not come in smaller sizes
- You will have to store the leftovers in the freezer for a long time
3. Amalia’s Cocina Enchilada Sauce
Amalias Cocina, Sauce Rotisserie Enchilada, 12 Ounce
Highlighted Features
- Has an authentic homemade taste
- Has excellent flavors
- Available in a large jar
- Has great consistency and is rich in spices
- Has chicken stock which imparts tingling aroma to this sauce
This family brand has been using recipes that have been passed down through the generations. This sauce brand was started by five Mexican American women in the year 2005. Amalia’s Cocina Enchilada Sauce is characterized by a mild spicy taste.
This is because tomato puree is not the central ingredient in this recipe as noted in the sauce brands reviewed earlier.
The tingling aroma and the chicken stock add an interesting twist to the recipe of Amalia’s Cocina Enchilada Sauce. The garlic chunks and cumin offer a rich and delicious taste to this enchilada sauce recipe. Amalia’s Cocina Enchilada Sauce is not much expensive and is a great option for those looking for an authentic Mexican experience in their meals without having to hit an expensive restaurant.
Pros
- Has good depth of flavors
- Is low in calories
- Is not overly spicy
- Has cumin and garlic chunks to enhance the flavor
Cons
- Is pricier when compared to other brands
- Not for vegetarians as it has chicken broth
4. Hatch Medium Red Enchilada Sauce
Hatch Red Enchilada Sauce, Mild, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)
$50.99 in stock
Highlighted Features
- Has a mellow and classic flavor
- Is free from MSG
- Is great on beef enchiladas, cheese, burritos, taquitos and tamales
- Uses organic ingredients
- Adheres to modern health guidelines
Renowned for its salsas, Hatch is a popular American brand that began its operations from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company is a brand leader when it comes to New Mexican food products. The company offers enchilada sauces, jalapeno peppers, Chile peppers and delicious salsas.
Hatch products are available in almost all small grocery stores and supermarkets in all the fifty states of the United States of America. The company treasures the green Chile peppers grown in South New Mexico and sources it from the local Chile growers near Hatch and throughout Southern New Mexico.
Hatch Medium Red enchilada sauce is made with organic ingredients. What we love about this sauce is that it is USDA certified. Organic tomato puree is the core ingredient of this enchilada sauce. The recipe is completed with organic spices, corn starch, cane sugar and organic natural flavors.
Hatch Medium Red enchilada sauce receives its signature taste from dehydrated chili powder used in the recipe. You do not have to stock canned tomatoes or chilies in your kitchen if you have this enchilada sauce from Hatch in stock. It will save a lot of your time that could go in making enchilada sauce.
Pros
- Offers an unbeatable taste and experience
- Uses fresh ingredients
- Is USDA certified
- Isn’t overly spicy
- Has rich, natural flavors
Cons
- Has a mild taste and would not appeal to those looking for a spicier enchilada sauce
5. Frontera Red Chili Enchilada Sauce
Frontera Enchilada Red Chili Sauce Pouch, 8 oz, 2 pk
Highlighted Features
- No preservatives and all natural
- Makes a perfect comfort food on a rainy day
- Has a comforting texture and satisfying taste
- Ideal for use with tortillas, cheeses and other popular Mexican recipes
- Offers just 15 calories per serving
This enchilada sauce has a complex and right flavor and hits all the notes right. It has the perfect blend of herbs and spices that would appeal to those who prefer a complex, deeper sauce. This all natural Frontera Red Chili Enchilada Sauce has tomato as the base product.
It has the right blend of oregano, cayenne, cane sugar, garlic, salt, red bell pepper, onions and New Mexico chilies. If you are looking for a burst of flavors in an enchilada sauce, then you cannot go wrong with the Frontera Red Chili Enchilada Sauce.
Pros
- Has a classic taste
- Has perfect blend of spices and herbs
- Is low in calories
- Made from fresh, all natural ingredients
- Is free from preservatives
- Is free from gluten ingredients
Cons
- Is salty
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Enchilada Sauce
You must be aware of the basics if you want to pick the perfect, authentic tasting enchilada sauce available in the market. You can have a hard time shortlisting a product if you are not aware of the things to consider before buying the best canned enchilada sauce.
Enchiladas are a spicy, savory offering from Mexican cuisine. It is made with corn tortilla or flour that is rolled around a filling that basically has cheese and chili sauce. The filling may have different ingredients such as beans, potatoes, veggies and meat. It is quite a popular dish in Mexican cuisine.
Enchilada sauce forms the base of the dish. It is a thick sauce which is basically made from red chili flavors. However, green peppers are also used in several recipes. If you are looking to make a handy dish, then you need to rely on canned enchilada sauce. This is because you need to devote a lot of time in making enchilada sauce before perfecting the main recipe.
It only makes sense to invest in an authentic tasting enchilada sauce available in the market and made with fresh, all natural ingredients. As enchilada sauce can make or break the recipe, you need to be really careful in picking the right sauce for your kitchen needs.
The base of an enchilada sauce is usually chili paste which is combined with tomatoes. However, most of the sauces available in the market have tomato paste as the key ingredient. If you are adamant about making authentic enchiladas, then you must look into the ingredients and understand the ratio of tomato and chili paste in the recipe before purchasing.
If you are looking for a flavorful enchilada sauce, then you must again go through the ingredients and look for the inclusion of herbs and spices. Many enchilada sauces have garlic, oregano, chicken broth and a lot more.
Apart from rich taste, you must also look into the quality of ingredients being used in the recipe. You should always opt for a brand using organic and fresh ingredients. This is because canned dishes are not always healthy. If you rely on a reputed brand that cares about your health, then there is nothing you need to worry about while using a product.
Conclusions
We have reviewed the top brands offering enchilada sauce in the market. All of these stand out when it comes to their taste and quality. These offer a rich mix of flavors and varied degree of spiciness.
With excess of options available, you may end by getting confused about which brand to opt for and which one to leave while purchasing enchilada sauce. We suggest you to first list down the factors that you are looking for in enchilada sauce. It is only then you can refine your options.
With too many great options available, your choice would greatly be dependent on several factors. First and foremost is availability of the canned enchilada sauce in your region. The second factor is the flavor. You need to spend some time in studying the ingredients carefully before purchasing any canned enchilada sauce.
You should never ever ignore the quality of enchilada sauce being served to you. This will help you in making an informed decision while choosing enchilada sauce for your kitchen needs. You can go through our in-depth review to skim the choices available. Our recommended enchilada sauces are one of the best offerings in the market and would surely elevate the flavors of your dishes.