The Best Canned Enchilada Sauce in a Taste-Off

I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like fresh, real enchiladas wrapped in soft corn tortillas and loaded with steaming-hot meat, cheese, and beans.

What am I missing that elevates enchiladas from nice to simply mouthwateringly delicious? Of course, the sauce! When you know the finest canned enchilada sauce, you can make these delectable treats right in your own home.

We investigated hundreds of enchilada sauce brands on the market today, and believe me when I say that if you want genuine, don’t simply go to the next grocery shop and grab any enchilada sauce brand off the shelf. The five greatest canned enchilada sauces we provide to you today are what distinguishes OK from the best:

The Five Best Canned Enchilada Sauces

After testing a variety of sauces, we found that the Rosarita Enchilada Sauce, a genuine, moderate heat taste Mexican sauce with a shelf life of over 540 days, was the finest canned enchilada sauce. El Pato red sauce and Old ElPaso red sauce are other nice options.

1. Rosarita Enchilada Sauce: Best Overall

Pedro Guerrero of Arizona sold tamales at a fair in 1923, sparking his goal of bringing real Mexican cuisine to the public.

Pedro began Rosarita Mexican Food Products in the 1940s with just a third-grade education, and the firm grew into what it is today: a go-to for top quality sauces, refried beans, and whole beans, still produced from the Guerrero family recipe!

Characteristics and Ingredients:

  • Freshly prepared tomato-based enchilada sauce
  • Flavor with a little heat
  • Each serving has 20 calories.
  • Keto-friendly: 2 net carbohydrates, no sugar added
  • 12 pack of 20 oz cans is available.
  • The shelf life is 540 days.

What makes Rosarita Enchilada Sauce so special?

The Rosarita Enchilada Sauce, with just a touch of heat, is not just an Amazons Pick, but also our top pick. Rosaritas Enchilada Sauce, advertised as a robust and zesty sauce full of real taste, verifies this promise in every Mexican-style cuisine. Rosarita is ideal for those seeking a medium heat level with real Mexican taste.

Because of the fresh ingredients, Rosita is the greatest.

In truth, tomato paste and red chile puree are the main components of Rositas Enchilada Sauce. The Rosarita is also a keto-friendly and health-conscious alternative, with just 20 calories, 2 net carbohydrates, and no added sugar per serving. Rosarita Enchilada Sauce is praised by expert chefs and food aficionados for its exquisite flavor.

Rosarita Enchilada compliments any Mexican cuisine, but consumers and professionals alike love it with cheese and chicken enchiladas. Plan an authentic Mexican lunch with Rosaritas recipes direct from their website! Your taste senses will be grateful.


2. Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce: Best Canned Red Enchilada Sauce

Old El Paso, which is owned by General Mills, has been spicing up Mexican-inspired recipes since 1917. Old El Paso makes the greatest sauces, spices, rice and beans, and even supper kits, with a love for bringing families together, including the Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce, a definite favorite for your dinner time!

Characteristics and Ingredients:

  • Enchilada sauce made with tomatoes and a genuine spice combination
  • Flavor with a medium level of heat
  • Each serving has 20 calories.
  • 1 g sugar per serving4 carbohydrates
  • 12 pack of 10 oz cans is available.

What makes Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce so special?

Old El Paso falls in between moderate and hot, so if you want a bit extra heat but not too much, this is the one for you. Many people believe that the nostalgic flavor of Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce is what makes it the greatest. The original spice combination is what distinguishes this sauce.

Although Old El Paso is a crimson, tomato-based enchilada sauce, it lacks tomato flavor. The Mexican-inspired spices bring flavor to casseroles, salads, and meals. Your meals will have a homely feel thanks to Old El Paso. As previously said, Old El Paso has a mild heat taste that is suitable for both children and adults.

The pricing is somewhat more than others, and the cans are available in 10 oz, 19 oz, or 28 oz sizes. On Amazon, the 10 ounce cans come in a pack of 12, and each can serves five six-inch enchiladas. Professionals and foodies alike praise El Paso’s gently spicy original taste.


3. El Pato Red : Best Canned Sauce with Natural Ingredients

Walker Foods, the company that makes El Pato Red Chili Enchilada Sauce, has been in business since 1914! Walker Foods, located in the center of Los Angeles, was not only the first company to create salsa in the United States, but they are also noted for employing pure, natural ingredients in their products.

Characteristics and Ingredients:

  • Enchilada sauce with whole chilies made from tomatoes
  • No preservatives, just pure flavor.
  • Each serving has 15 calories.
  • 1 gram of sugar per serving 3 carbohydrates
  • Single 28 oz. cans are available.

What makes El Pato Red Chili Enchilada Sauce so special?

The simplicity of natural ingredients, including whole chilies, is the greatest element of El Pato Red Chile Enchilada Sauce. The first two components are tomato puree and chile peppers, rather than chile powder, as in some other recipes. So, what’s the trick to keeping chiles fresh?

They are pickled in a brine solution, so they don’t need to be refrigerated. Clients like the freshness this sauce provides to their dishes, as well as the natural ingredients that include no preservatives.

But what about the duck logo, you could ask? Mr. Walker’s grandpa heard a Mexican adage that duck, or El Pato, translated into Spanish, brings good luck, according to the Walker Foods website. A duck can walk on land, fly, and swim, making it very adaptable to any environment, much like Walker Foods!

The main drawback of El Pato Red Chile is that it is only available in 28 oz. cans. Other individuals may not need the excess, so you may need to freeze leftovers unless you want to make Mexican cuisine in volume, which is a fantastic idea!


4. La Victoria Traditional: Best Canned Mild Enchilada Sauce

La Victoria, a family-owned company, has been proudly delivering fresh ingredients from from California’s Central Valley to flavorful sauces, including the Original Red Enchilada Sauce, for over 100 years.

Farm to Table is the company’s tagline. Ingredients that are easy to find. Varieties that Excite applies to their enchilada sauce!

Characteristics and Ingredients:

  • Fresh red enchilada sauce
  • Flavor with a little heat
  • Each serving has 25 calories.
  • 1 gram of sugar per serving 3 carbohydrates
  • Gluten-free
  • Kosher certification
  • 12 pack of 10 oz cans is available.

What makes La Victoria Original Red Enchilada Sauce so special?

La Victoria’s Original Red Enchilada Sauce stands out due to the basic ingredients that come directly from California’s fields to your plate. It’s also gluten-free and Kosher-certified. La Victoria was the first in the business to develop the heat thermometer, which allowed consumers to choose the appropriate quantity of spice for their taste.

This red enchilada sauce is light, so if you want spice but not hot, this is the sauce for you.

The La Victoria is not only ideal for individuals who can handle a little heat, but it is also one of the healthiest enchilada sauces available. It’s all-natural, gluten-free, and Kosher certified, and it’s made using water, red chile peppers, California Chili peppers, soybean oil, distilled vinegar, salt, garlic, and spice.

This sauce is thicker than others, but if you want to thin it down, go ahead. Just add a teaspoon of stock of water to get the desired consistency. This enchilada sauce has no overbearing tastes, simply a great combination of natural ingredients to enhance your Mexican-style cuisine.


5. Las Palmas Sauce: Best Canned Green Enchilada Sauce

If you’re thinking to yourself, “Red enchilada sauce is OK, but I like green,” don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you! Las Palmas is your best bet for the finest canned green enchilada sauce.

Las Palmas was founded in 1922 in California by a remarkable Mexican lady called Rosa Ramirez, and it is now one of the top-selling brands in Mexican dishes.

Characteristics and Ingredients:

  • Deeply flavored green enchilada sauce
  • Flavor with a medium level of heat
  • Sauce with several uses
  • Each serving has 25 calories.
  • 1 gram of sugar per serving 3 carbohydrates
  • 12 pack of 28 oz cans is available.

What makes Las Palmas Green Enchilada Sauce so special?

Because of its strong, spicy taste that is not overbearing, Las Palmas Green Chili Enchilada Sauce is the greatest canned green sauce available. There’s still heat! This green enchilada sauce, made with fresh green chile peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and spices, is guaranteed to enhance your favorite dishes, not simply conventional Mexican cuisine.

That leads us to our second point: although this sauce is especially designed for enchiladas and matches nicely with Mexican cuisine, it is also quite flexible. The zesty taste goes well with lasagna, casseroles, soups, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, or as a salsa with tortilla chips.

Honestly, there are so many ways to include this stuff into your meals and snacks!

Las Palmas, like many of the other firms included in this article, has built a solid reputation over the years. Despite its global expansion, it has remained true to its roots: high-quality, fresh ingredients.


What to Consider Before Buying Canned Enchilada Sauce

In this part, we will discuss several questions to ask yourself before purchasing canned enchilada sauce. The first issue to mention is that not all canned enchilada sauce brands are excellent quality or flavorful, so picking the first jar sauce you find is not a good idea.

Red or Green?:

Some people favor red, while others prefer green. The primary distinction between red and green enchilada sauce is in the ingredients. Red enchilada sauce is produced using tomatoes, whereas green enchilada sauce is made with green peppers and jalapenos. Which one to choose is determined on personal choice and what you want to prepare.

Related article: Enchilada Sauce vs. Taco Sauce

Ingredients:

The components are the next consideration. Examine the contents to verify whether the sauce is appropriate for your requirements, particularly if you have food allergies. If you prefer a light sauce, avoid those that have whole chilies as the major component. The fewer the components, the better. If you encounter a can of enchilada sauce with a long list of ingredients, it’s probably loaded with preservatives.

Nutrition:

Some considerations to consider when purchasing canned enchilada sauce include calories, sugar, salt, carbohydrates, and fat. The majority of enchilada sauces are minimal in calories, sugars, and carbohydrates. A average serving has 15-25 calories, 2-3 grams of sugar, and 2-4 carbohydrates. In terms of nutritional value, the tomatoes in red enchilada sauce include antioxidants and Vitamin C. We realize it isn’t the same as eating fresh tomatoes on a garden salad, but it’s something.

La Victoria Original Red Enchilada Sauce is an excellent alternative if you’re seeking for a gluten-free or Kosher enchilada sauce. Rosarita Enchilada Sauce, our top pick for low carb and no sugar, is your best bet.

Heat Level:

Mexican cuisine is famous for its heat, which is why we like it! Yet not everyone enjoys the heat. Determine the amount of heat before selecting an enchilada sauce. Mild is great if you’re cooking for a large gathering that includes youngsters. If you’re cooking for a group of teens, boost the heat! Most people like something between moderate and spicy, so keep that in mind while selecting enchilada sauce.

Versatility:

Enchilada sauce isn’t only for enchiladas. Both red and green enchilada sauces go well with other Mexican-inspired dishes. Yet, many may be used in American-style dishes such as soups and casseroles, macaroni and cheese, and even pizza! Enchilada sauce is often used as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips, egg rolls, or raw vegetables! (I do know someone who does this.)

Conclusion

Going out for Mexican cuisine is enjoyable, but if you want to prepare your own at home, you’ll need a high-quality canned enchilada sauce. Select one of our top choices and let us know when supper will be ready!

FAQs

Why does canned enchilada sauce taste bitter?

Because of the additional preservatives, canned enchilada sauce is often harsh. These preservatives may include vinegar, salt, and MSG. Although these components are required to preserve the sauce from spoiling, they may also cause it to taste harsh.

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

Too sour? To minimize bitterness, use just one of the following: ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 to 2 tablespoons agave syrup. To fry, use any neutral-flavored frying oil.

Why does red enchilada sauce taste bitter?

2 teaspoon and continue to add more until the flavor is balanced to your preference. If your enchilada sauce has a bitter or sour aftertaste, it might simply be due to the acidity of the peppers or tomato, if used. Don’t be concerned. Begin with 1 tablespoon of agave syrup or brown sugar.

How to make can enchilada sauce taste good?

Simmer canned enchilada sauce for 10 minutes on the stove to eliminate the bitterness. Stir in a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of flour, and continue to cook for 5 minutes.

What is the secret to good enchiladas?

Take Care of Your Tortillas

The most crucial trick for preventing soggy enchiladas is to cook your tortillas quickly in hot oil before filling and rolling. This acts as a barrier, preventing the tortillas from absorbing too much of the sauce and so breaking down.

How do you get the bitter taste out of sauce?

4 tsp. baking soda (baking soda neutralizes acidity). Taste the sauce and add little quantities of baking soda to check whether the acidity is reduced. If there is still an edge, add a spoonful of butter and stir until creamy. This usually suffices. 1 cup sauce heated with 1

How do you fix sour taste in sauce?

If your food is excessively sour, consider adding some sweetness, such as sugar, honey (which is good! ), cream, or even caramelized onions. You may also dilute the dish with water (same as you would with a dish with too much salt). To make the dish more alkaline, add a pinch of baking soda as a final option.

How do you get the metallic taste out of canned tomato sauce?

The tannins in tomato pomace and peels cause the metallic flavor. A sprinkle of baking soda will help to solve the issue.

Why are my enchiladas always soggy?

Most people smother their enchiladas with sauce before baking them, however this is the leading cause of soggy enchiladas. Since you’ve already brushed the sauce on the tortillas, they won’t need much more.

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