Some food can have a spice blend before cooking, and other foods taste great with sauces. One such dish is an enchilada, and you cannot imagine preparing the meal without a banging sauce.
The sauce is where the dish draws all its flavors and colors from. However, making a sauce can take time. Some sauces even need overnight to reach full potency. Let us not even mention the gourmet ingredients you would need.
So, what can you do to make the dish but still have the sauce? Well, use the best canned enchilada sauce as an alternative, of course! It will save you time, money, and a bucket load of prepping work.
Therefore, if you want to know more about these amazing sauces, you better keep reading.
Things to Consider Before Buying
One can never be too sure when buying items for cooking, especially when it comes to a preservative form. Moreover, you also have to consider the intensity of taste and flavors. So, here are some of the things you can re-consider before you buy a can of enchilada sauce.
Spice
Enchilada is a crown dish of the Mexican cousin, and as you can guess, it has to be spicy and flavorful. However, you are not bound to prepare a meal that does not suit your tastebuds. Meaning, you have control over how much heat you want in the sauce.
More spicy sauces will usually have red peppers of different assortments. If you want a less daunting approach, then look for sauces that have green chili and tomato. Basic tomato sauce can also be an excellent alternative to enchilada sauce, but you will have to purchase chilies to bring the authentic flavor.
Ingredients
All sauces will have essential ingredients such as salt, a little bit of sugar, chili, and much more. However, each brand has its unique concoction and blend of spices. Some may even use exotic chilies for their sauces.
So, if you are looking for a particular flavor, you should look at the back label for ingredients. Moreover, if you have any allergies, this will help you steer clear from unwanted ingredients.
Preservative
Since the sauces come in a can, it certainly has preservatives. Preparing sauce is a preservative method of storing food for a long time, but manufacturers still use a prescribed amount of chemicals to keep the food fresh.
So, you need to make sure if the preservatives are harmful to your health or are breaking any health-code.
Expiration
Always remember to check the manufacturing and expiration date of these canned products. Since they have preservatives, sometimes the sauce does not look or smell spoilt, but it is. Checking the expiration date will help you discard spoilt sauce.
Storage
The usual method of storing these canned products is refrigeration. However, each product has a temperature recommendation. If your place is not humid and within the range for the sauce, then you can avoid putting the can in a fridge.
#List Of The Best Produce Saver Containers – Our Editor’s Pick:
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Old El Paso Mild Green Chile Enchilada Sauce 10 oz | 1,222 Reviews | Check Price On Amazon |
| 2 |
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Las Palmas Red Enchilada Sauce, Medium, 19 Ounce | 335 Reviews | Check Price On Amazon |
| 3 |
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Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce, Medium, 19 oz (Pack of 12) | 4 Reviews | Check Price On Amazon |
| 4 |
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Ortega Enchilada Sauce, Red Chili, 10 Ounce (Pack of 12) | 42 Reviews | Check Price On Amazon |
| 5 |
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Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce, Medium, 19 oz | 379 Reviews | Check Price On Amazon |
5 Best Canned Enchilada Sauce Reviews
Now comes the exciting part where you can pick and choose from some of the top options. All these sauces will have different flavors, but we are sure that they will bring together a classic plate of an enchilada.
1. Rosarita Enchilada Sauce
If you are a fan of Mexican dishes, but not that into that intense spice level, then you may want to try the sauce from Rosarita. It is a brand that has been serving people the essence of Mexican food for over 70 years.
So, it can most definitely bring the deliciousness of the cuisine. However, it has a mild heat level, and you can enjoy it any way you want. If you want to increase the intensity, add chilies of your liking.
This tomato-based sauce is a sure success ingredient in tying up the dish. It adds creaminess to the plate and is excellent with seven-layer dips, chicken, and cheese. Since it is a tomato-based sauce, you can easily use it as a dip for chips.
If you are following a keto diet, and thinking this sauce might be too heavy for your liking, then worry not. It has minimal amount or carb and dietary fiber, which will not break your diet streak.
- Use it straight out of the can
- Cook or serve fresh
- Rich with flavors
- Tomato-based sauce
- Mild spice level
- Keto-diet friendly
- Excellent ingredient for chicken and cheese
- If not sealed properly, the water can separate from the solids
2. El Pato Red Chile Enchilada Sauce
On a new gluten-free journey, but having a hard time choosing ingredients? Mexican food is rich in nutrients, and it can be hard to find gluten-free substitutes. But if you love enchilada and need a sauce, El Pato is your brand of choice.
It is an excellent sauce that has all the factors to be in an enchilada. The juicy blend of tomato, fresh herbs, and chili makes it a cult classic. No wonder people have been drawn to this item for 80 years.
Moreover, it is mild, yet flavorful. So, you know it will not burn your tongue. However, if you want more heat, no one can stop you from adding. That is the beauty of this sauce. You can tweak the flavor.
Besides being good for diets, this sauce has no preservatives and serves 15 calories per spoon. The simple flavors can add much richness to your dish in a short time.
- Fewer calories per serving
- Zero preservatives
- Easy to cook
- Affordable
- Mild and fresh flavor
- Has fresh chili instead of power
- Comes in only one large size can
3. Hatch Red Enchilada Sauce
Some of us just cannot be bothered about buying more ingredients. It can be because we have a tight budget, or simply because it’s late at night and you want a simple way to cook a delicious meal.
Well, that is why the Hatch red enchilada sauce is perfect for you. It offers medium level heat intensity. So, you do not have to buy fancy peppers to spice things up. It is medium to a level that it will not burn your tongue either.
Moreover, the sauce is good for health as it has no MSGs or preservatives to meddle with the flavor. Thus you know that you are getting 100% organic ingredients. Plus, it is also gluten-free, so all you concerned people can celebrate with a classic dish of an enchilada.
The recipe for this sauce is full of organic sugar, a moderate amount of corn starch, and fresh chilis. Consequently, you get fewer calories per serving. If you are diet conscious, keeping track of each serving will help you calculate the total calorie count.
- Fresh farm grown chilis
- Organic sugar and moderate corn starch
- Gluten-free and MSG-free
- Offers medium level heat intensity
- USDA certified
- Contains no preservatives
- Those who prefer very mild heat might not like this
4. Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce
Many of us fall in love with some of our favorite restaurants because of their food. Thus we keep coming back to devour those epic dishes. But we also come back because recreating those dishes seem almost impossible.
Well, if you fell in love with a restaurant-quality enchilada, and wanted to recreate that, then the sauce by Trader Joe’s is the secret ingredient. Trader Joe is a home favorite grocery store.
So, you can guess that the ingredients for the sauces come straight from their pantry. The recipe is a classic because so many people use the sauce as a base and build up the flavor. It has no sugar and zero sulfur. So, you know that nothing harmful is going to your stomach through this sauce.
Having no sugar also means that it is diet-friendly. Of course, if you wanted more balance to the sauce, you can add organic sugar at will. Packaging of the sauce is also brilliant. The glass bottle helps the sauce stay fresh for a longer time.
- Classic restaurant-quality flavor
- Home-grown organic ingredients
- Zero sugar content
- Excellent for a diet
- Has no sulfur or other harmful chemicals
- Comes in a bottle can
- Properly sealed lid
- Stays fresh for longer
- It is not gluten-free
5. La Preferida Mexican Foods Red Chile Enchilada Sauce
If you wanted a sauce that has mild flavors but still wanted the essence of red chillis to make a classic plate of enchilada, then the Mexican enchilada sauce by La Preferida needs to be on your shelf.
It has a fantastic blend of different red peppers that bring out the smell and looks of a Mexican dish. If you never tasted a Mexican dish before, dip a chip in this sauce, it will take you right to Mexico.
However, the best part about this sauce is its mildness. So, if you are starting your journey towards Mexican cousin, but still not ready to dive into the flaming world of exotic chilis, this will be the perfect start.
Moreover, after you get used to the intensity, you can always amp up the flavor with additional ingredients. This item also has wheat flour and garlic to balance the sauce and give it some texture and thickness.
- Perfect sauce for mild heat lovers
- Contains natural thickening ingredients
- Has red chili paste for authentic Mexican look and taste
- Easy to cook
- Can be a substitute for traditional dips
- People who like more heat will not prefer this sauce
Comparison Table For Top 5 Canned Enchilada Sauce
Title | Flavor | Brand | Package Information | Package Weight | Rating |
Rosarita Enchilada Sauce | Enchilada Sauce | Rosarita | Can | 7.83 Kilograms | |
El Pato Red Chile Enchilada Sauce | Enchilada Sauce | El Pato | Can | 0.93 Kilograms | |
Hatch Red Enchilada Sauce | Enchilada Sauce | Hatch | Can | 2.89 Kilograms | |
Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce | Enchilada Sauce | rader Joe | Bottle | 355ml | |
La Preferida Mexican Foods Red Chile Enchilada Sauce | Salsa | LA PREFERIDA | Can | 2.12 Kilograms |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between green enchilada sauce and salsa verde?
Green enchilada sauce is a cooked and garnished sauce, while salsa verde is a blend of different fresh ingredients. You cannot cook a salsa, or it loses its freshness.
Q: How do you make canned enchilada sauce better?
Ans: It totally depends on personal choice and preference, as you can cook the sauce again. Add knobs of butter to make a more rich sauce, or add water if you want to dilute. You can even add herbs of your liking to elevate the flavor.
Q: What’s in canned enchilada sauce?
Ans: Enchilada sauce is a reduction of different blends of chilis with wheat, sugar, or some other thickening agent. It comes in a can, so you can store it and enjoy it for a longer time. Some cans even have natural preservatives to help the sauce stay fresh.
Q: Which is better red or green enchilada sauce?
Ans: These two pepper creates different flavor profiles. Red chili brings the sweetness more and makes the sauce milder, while green enchilada is more intense on heat. So, based on your heat tolerance level, you can decide which sauce you prefer.
Q: How do you make enchilada sauce from scratch?
Ans: Gather your spices and chili paste and sauté it on oil or butter. Then you need to add wheat or corn starch to thicken the mixture and give it somebody. A dash of vinegar or cinnamon also helps to improve the flavor. Cook the mixture till it comes to a simmer and removes it from heat. Let the mixture cool before you store it.
Q: What is Mexican red sauce made of?
Ans: Mexican red sauce uses red chilis and blends of other spices.
Final Word
You do not want to cook that tender chicken and let it go to waste by pouring a crappy sauce. If you really want that Mexican taste, you need to try the best canned enchilada sauce. It not only brings immense flavor but also saves your time from having to make the sauce from scratch. So, ready to taste the best enchilada you ever made?