Red Chile Sauce (Chile Powder)

Quick and easy to make Red Chile Sauce recipe made from red chile powder.  Perfect for Flat Enchiladas, Chile Colorado, smothered burritos, and more! 

Packed with bold, spicy flavor, this Red Chile Sauce is the quick version when you want a delicious homemade sauce,  and will have you ditching the canned version for good. Ready in 20 minutes or less.

Ingredients in this Easy to Make Red Chile Sauce Recipe

Red Chile Powder:  New Mexico Chile Powder, California Chile Powder, and Chimayo chile powder are all great choices.  

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Chile Powder vs Chili Powder: So what's the difference? 

 

Chile powder is made of pure ground dried chile pepper with no additives.

Chili powder is a blend of chile peppers and other spices, including cumin, peppercorn, oregano, and salt

Chile Powder is what we want for this recipe. Some red chile powders come in different levels of spiciness from mild to extra hot, so select the heat level you desire.

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Cooking Oil:  Vegetable oil, lard, bacon drippings, or olive oil works perfectly for this recipe.

Spices & Seasonings: Cumin, Mexican Oregano( do not use Italian oregano), Garlic powder, salt, sugar.


Flour:  All-purpose flour

Liquids: Water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth

How to Make Red Chile Sauce from Chile Powder

In a 2-quart saucepan or skillet heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil to low to medium heat.

Whisk in the flour and cook until a light golden brown making a roux as a base for the red chile sauce. Add chile powder to the roux.

When the roux and chile powder have been blended completely, slowly add water or broth and cook to desired consistency.

Once the sauce shows signs of boiling, reduce heat to a low simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic powder, cumin, and oregano, and stir with a whisk to catch any lumps in the sauce.

Add salt to taste. If the sauce is a little bitter, add a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the sauce ...more if needed.

Chilaquiles with Red Chile Sauce

Red Chile Sauce (from Chile Powder)
Author: The Busy Abuelita
Preparation Time:  5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 cups

Quick and easy to make Red Chile Sauce recipe made from red chile powder.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Mexican oregano(optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup mild New Mexico Red Chile Powder or California chile powder
• 2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth(vegetable broth)
• Salt to taste
• Sugar

Instructions:

1. In a 2-quart saucepan or skillet heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil to low to medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook until a light brown (approximately 2 minutes) making a roux as a base for the Red Chile Sauce
3. Once the roux has turned a light brown, over medium heat, whisk in the Red Chile Powder.
4. When the roux and chile powder have been blended completely, slowly add water or broth and cook to desired consistency.
5. Return the pan to low-medium heat and bring the sauce to just boiling. Stir constantly until bubbles form.
6. Once the sauce shows signs of boiling, reduce heat to a low simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic powder, cumin, and oregano. Stir constantly.
7. Be sure to stir thoroughly to catch any lumps that might begin to form. Add salt to taste.
8. Remove from heat. Ready for making enchiladas, chilaquiles, and more!
9. If chile sauce is a little bitter, add 1 teaspoon of sugar to smooth out the taste.