Can I use enchilada sauce instead of salsa?

There are several options to use instead of this sauce and still serve a tasty and delicious enchilada dish. You can make the substitutes at home or buy them in the store. So, are you ready to learn the best substitutes for enchilada sauce? Let’s get started!

• What Is Enchilada Sauce
• Main Ingredients for Enchilada Sauce
• Reasons to Replace Enchilada Sauce
• Taco Sauce Can Substitute Enchilada Sauce
• Roasted Tomato Salsa Can Substitute Enchilada Sauce
• Tomato Sauce Can Substitute Enchilada Sauce

What Is Enchilada Sauce

Enchilada sauce is a rich spicy Mexican sauce that you use to cover your enchiladas with before you bake them in the oven or Air Fryer.

It is a versatile sauce that is used a lot in Mexican recipes, not only to serve with enchiladas but is also used to turn into tortilla soup, casseroles, and chicken soup.

It differs largely depending on where in Mexico the sauce is made and who makes it.

There are a lot of family recipes for enchilada sauce.

Main Ingredients for Enchilada Sauce

A good enchilada sauce is made with the following ingredients:

• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Paprika
• Tomatoes or tomato sauce

Reasons to Replace Enchilada Sauce

If enchilada sauce is so great why substitute it? There are several reasons why you may want substitutes for enchilada sauce:

• Taste – enchilada sauce is a spicy sauce and this doesn’t appeal to everybody. That can be a reason to substitute this sauce for another sauce
• Availability – if you do have enchilada sauce available or do not want to make sauce from scratch you can use a substitute so you can make your enchilada recipe

Taco Sauce Can Substitute Enchilada Sauce

Taco sauce is a great substitute for enchilada sauce. It is less spicy, contains more tomato, and has a thicker consistency.

Taco sauce is used to put on top of your tacos or it is used as a dip with your tortilla chips.

If you want to use taco sauce instead of enchilada sauce, make or buy more sauce so you have enough to cover the enchiladas.

You can thin the sauce by adding water or chicken broth to the sauce.

If you find that adding more liquid dilutes to taste of the sauce you can add some enchilada seasoning.

Start with ½ tablespoon stir and check to see if the flavor is as desired else add more seasoning until you have the taste you are looking for.

You can make taco sauce from scratch or you can buy it at your grocery store.

Be aware that your enchilada dish will taste different when you use this sauce as the ingredients differ a lot from regular enchilada sauce.

Roasted Tomato Salsa Can Substitute Enchilada Sauce

Salsa is another great way to substitute enchilada sauce. Especially oven-roasted tomato salsa or restaurant style salsa are both great to use as substitutes.

Restaurant-style salsa or roasted tomato salsa are both usually more chunky in texture compared to regular enchilada sauce.

Salsa is mostly used as a condiment and added to a taco or serve with nachos or tortilla chips.

If you want to use salsa you need to increase the amount so it is enough to cover the enchiladas.

So, you either make more salsa or when you use bottled salsa you may need to add liquid to increase the amount.

Taste the salsa and add spices like enchilada seasoning to see if you like the taste of the salsa.

As the texture is different compared to enchilada sauce be prepared the enchiladas will taste different than when made with regular enchilada sauce.

Tomato Sauce Can Substitute Enchilada Sauce

You can also use tomato sauce as a great base for substitutes for enchilada sauce.

I recommend that you add spices and seasoning before adding them to your enchiladas.

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of enchilada seasoning or Mexican seasoning and stir it through the sauce.

You can add some garlic and spice like chili flakes to give the sauce some heat and make it more interesting.

Heat the sauce separately so you can add your spices and liquids to see if you like the flavor of the sauce before adding it to the enchiladas.

Based on your taste palette you can determine how hot or mild you want your sauce to be.

The same applies to the thickness of the sauce. Add more broth or water if you want a thinner sauce.

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