Enchiladas are crowd-favorite food. They have flavorful aspects that can make them in many different ways. A big pan of enchiladas can make more than one meal because they are filling.

You can make enchilada sauce from scratch, or you can buy it in a can. Some people like to use more than one flavor to mix them up just to perfect the flavor according to your preference.

The best thing about canned enchilada sauce is the flavors are simple and are great. There are lots of canned enchilada sauce, and the best options provide authentic flavors that are bold and daring without being over-flavored. They are not grainy and also won’t be extra high in sodium.

In this review, here are the best-canned enchilada sauces to narrow down your choices. But before, here is a guide on how to choose the best-canned enchilada sauce.

How To Choose The Best-Canned Enchilada Sauce?

Before we go with the top picks, here are some things you should consider when buying enchilada sauce.

Flavor

When you are choosing enchilada sauce, one of the most important things to consider is the flavor. Every brand has its unique twist when it comes to flavor. You might prefer something spicy or something light and mellow.

Though we have different preferences when it comes to flavor, keep in mind that there is both red and green sauce, which are uniquely different in their ways.

Red vs. Green sauce

You may always use red sauce or green sauce, but some people like to mix the red and green sauce, giving a unique and full of both flavors. If you are not familiar with either sauce or know which sauce to use, here are some helpful tips:

The difference between the two is the base of the ingredients. Red enchilada sauce has a tomato base, which is the primary ingredient with some added spices.

Meanwhile, green enchilada sauce is usually made from various green peppers and jalapenos. The green sauce usually has a bit of kick and even a zesty flavor. If you know the base of the sauce just make a difference in your decision. Keep in mind that it is okay to mix the sauce well.

It also depends on the type of enchilada you are making.

For instance, if you are making chicken enchiladas, they are more likely to have a green sauce while beef or cheese enchiladas are more commonly made from the red sauce.

How To Make Store-Bought Enchilada Sauce Better?

Canned enchilada sauce tastes fine on its own, so you can use it instantly after opening the lid. However, if you expect more and want to level up your canned sauce just like restaurant-quality, here is a simple recipe that can help you:

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp. of unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp. of all-purpose flour
  • 1 can red enchilada sauce
  • 1 cup of chicken broth
  • ½ tsp. of Kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. of Black pepper

Tools:

  • A saucepan
  • A spoon

Instructions:

  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat
  2. Add the flour to the pan and stir it continuously for about a minute
  3. Pour the canned red enchilada sauce into the roux. Then mix in the chicken broth, salt, and pepper
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat. Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
  5. Keep it warm over low heat when you are about to serve.

Notes:

  • You can replace the chicken broth with beef, or any type of broth based on your preference
  • Don’t forget to give the sauce a good stir to avoid drying out or burning.

8 Best Canned Enchilada Sauces

Now that you have already known some of the things to consider when buying canned enchilada sauce. Now it’s time to get down with the matter of talk, which is to review the best-canned enchilada sauce.

Here is a rundown of the best-canned enchilada sauce:

Rosarita Enchilada Sauce

Rosarita is a popular brand for Mexican food needs because it has an authentic flavor without too many additives and other ingredients. The flavor of this red enchilada sauce is absolutely delicious, and you can get a 12-pack so you can stock up your pantry without worrying about running out of sauce in case you need it.

This brand is made from the traditional red sauce with robust flavor, with just a tiny bit of heat, making it a mild sauce. This sauce jives well for every kind of enchilada, which can work well for things like a 7-layer dip as well. What’s so good about this sauce is that the ingredients are fresh and Keto-friendly with absolutely no added sugars on the sauce.

What I Liked:

  • It has a bold and versatile flavor
  • It is an authentic sauce for authentic food
  • Mild heat level
  • It comes with 12 pack of cans
  • It is made from keto-friendly ingredients with no added sugars

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Many consumers complain of receiving dented cans that are hard to open because of the damage

Hatch Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

Another popular brand to consider is Hatch, which is made from green chile enchilada. It is a sauce that you are afraid to miss. It is a green sauce that is absolutely delicious. It is another authentic option with lots of flavors. When it comes to taste, it is not overly hot or spicy with just a medium rating.

This sauce comes in packs of 6, which mixes well with red sauce if you need it to. This brand is gluten-free, so if you have a strict diet, this sauce is for you. The cans have easy-open cops, so you don’t need to use a can opener to use them. The ingredients are just simple and have mostly healthy ingredients in them with no preservatives to be concerned about.

It contains things like hatch green chiles, soybean oil, and garlic as the main ingredients. What sets this brand apart from others is the flavor.

What I Liked:

  • It comes in a pack of 6
  • Easy open can
  • It is made from the green sauce with a mild flavor
  • It contains healthy ingredients
  • It has outstanding flavor

What I Didn’t Like:

  • The flavor is milder than other brands with green sauce

Las Palmas Red Enchilada Sauce

Las Palmas is known for its zesty flavor. These cans are large enough and contain 19 ounces of sauce. They come in a pack of 12. This means you have plenty of sauce to go around without worries about running out, in case you need some sauce available.

The sauce is so flavorful with an authentic blend, which is zesty and even a bit spicy. It is rated as medium in terms of heat and works well with every single flavor of enchiladas. It tastes like authentic Mexican spices and ingredients.

The ingredients in this can are natural and do not contain any concerning ingredients involved in this can. It contains ingredients such as water, red chiles, cottonseed oil, salt, vinegar, garlic powder, spice, and more.

The ingredients are always of good quality and reliable overall. Most buyers call this sauce one of the best enchilada sauces.

What I Liked:

  • It comes from authentic flavor and ingredients
  • It is great for any flavor of enchiladas
  • It has a pack of 12, containing 19 ounces each
  • It has medium spice with a slight tanginess
  • Flavorful enchilada sauce

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Some buyers complain a slightly metallic flavor from the can

Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce

Old El Paso is another classic winner. This sauce has a combination of Tex-Mex flavor to present a flavorful and bold sauce, making it a household favorite every single time. It is a classic and the brand is known for the quality options available.

This particular sauce is medium, giving you just the right amount of flavor and spice to make delicious enchiladas of any kind. When you buy this, you get a 12-pack of regular cans, so you have plenty to stock away in your pantry. What’s so good is that it is a pretty good price for the quantity as well.

This sauce is not as health-conscious as some of the others. It has the main ingredients, such as salt, chili pepper, and some other seasonings. It has sugar as well and hydrolyzed corn protein. Though it may not matter to some, others make a difference too.

What I Liked:

  •  It comes in a pack of 12
  • It has a medium spice for flavor
  • It is a reliable brand name
  • It is great for any type of enchilada

What I Didn’t Like:

  • It includes added sugar and some processed ingredients

La Victoria Traditional Red Enchilada Sauce

If you are looking for a sauce that is flavorful yet has low spice levels, this could be a really great option.

This is a mild sauce yet contains a rich and flavorful aroma at the same time. This gives you a lighter option if you are sensitive to flavors and spices. The ingredients are wholesome and contain no harmful contents.

It is a high-quality sauce made from the very best ingredients that you can find. It is a gluten-free mixture that could be helpful for some. It is a red sauce that is hearty without being overwhelming. It is also certified Kosher.

As for the sauce, it is a mild sauce that has a delightful flavor. It is nutritious and healthy, which works well for any type of enchilada. Some of the ingredients you might find include red chile peppers, dehydrated chile peppers, a smidge of salt, garlic, and spice.

What I Liked:

  • It is great for any type of enchilada
  • It is healthy but flavorful
  • It is gluten-free and Kosher certified
  • It comes in a pack of 12 cans
  • It has a mild flavor and spice

What I Didn’t Like:

  • The chile peppers make the overall spice, which may seem milder in nature

Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce

It is a famous Mexican food established in the 1940s. This brand uses only good-quality products for carb-conscious consumers. This 20-ounce can contain enough and more quantity to use and store for the family.

Once opened, the remaining sauce can be stored in plastic containers, then refrigerated. For the next use, you can warm it by cooking for about 30 to 35 minutes.

The net carbohydrate contains in every gram of this sauce is only 2 grams. It does not contain sugar, making it more Keto-friendly. For those who prefer a mild spice level in their food, this is a great option.

It can be used for any kind of dish, nachos, pasta, and anything you wish. It is a popular brand among Mexican food lovers. What’s so good about this sauce is it contains a keto-friendly recipe. The heat level makes it suitable for those who prefer mild palettes. It contains enough cheese, which is very commendable.

There is also an option for choosing the preferred flavor. It has two variants namely, Nacho cheese and Fire-roasted tomato, but it is important to point out that this brand is not gluten-free. Hence, those who are allergic may avoid this product.

What I Liked:

  • It has a good shelf-life if not opened
  • It contains about 20 calories per serving. But more importantly, there is no trans fat in this brand.
  • The quantity and quality are maintained.

What I Didn’t Like:

  • It requires additional storage after being opened
  • The can packaging is not up to the mark

La Preferida Mexican Foods Red Chile Enchilada Sauce

This particular sauce is a bit more expensive than other canned sauces. It comes in a jar instead of a can. This sauce is unique and tastes more like homemade enchilada sauce than any other options available here.

It comes in a set of 3, giving you a red jalapeno sauce, a green jalapeno sauce, and a verde-style sauce. The jars contain 16 ounces each, which are pretty large. You can mix the sauces to integrate the flavors. This sauce does not disappoint.

They are designed for a hearty spice and flavor, which are versatile and can be used for other things as well. The sauce is fairly spicy on the scale, which is something to be aware of. They are bold and are flavorful. They have varying levels of spice, so mixing them can help tone down the hottest ones, which are green jalapenos.

What I Liked:

  • It has varying levels of heat
  • It is unique and versatile
  • It is flavorful
  • It is a homemade style sauce

What I Didn’t Like:

  • They are packed in bottled glass jars
  • The ingredients used in the sauce are a bit unclear

Simply Organic Green Enchilada Simmer Sauce

This particular option is organic and comes in a sealed package. In fact, you can get these 8 ounces of packages so your pantry will be stocked and ready. This is another green sauce option that is pretty great.

It is made from rich poblano peppers and delicious jalapenos, giving you the right mixture of flavor and spice. The combination is perfect for a slight kick and perfect flavors, which is really easy to prepare.

It is called a simmer sauce, but it can actually be simmered in the cooking process for the enchiladas.

What I Liked:

  • It is an organic sauce option
  • It is made from a combination of peppers for spice and flavor
  • It comes in a sealed package that is easy to use
  • It is made from reliable, pure, and potent ingredients
  • It is the perfect flavor for a green sauce

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Nothing particular. As you probably guessed it, because I listed Simply Organic last, this is my favorite sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a brief question and answer section. There might be something here that could be helpful for you.

Will adding seasoning to the canned sauce make it homemade?

Canned enchilada sauce is similar to what you might come up with if you did make homemade sauce. There are some steps you can take if you really want to add to your sauce. Try these step-by-step procedures.

  1. In a skillet, heat some butter over medium heat. It does need to melt completely, just wait until it becomes foamy.
  2. Add a little bit of flour, then whisk together to mix.
  3. Add in your canned enchilada sauce a bit of chicken broth, and some black pepper and Kosher salt to taste.
  4. Turn up the heat and bring it to a boil. Stir the sauce occasionally.
  5. Once it starts boiling, reduce to a simmer, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

This is a great way to thicken the sauce, add a little spice, to make it your own.

Is green sauce spicier than red?

Well, it depends and varies by brand. Also, you must consider how it is made. The true enchilada sauce is made to be a little bit spicy.

The best way to know which is spicier is to check the spice rating into mild, medium, or hot.