Homemade Enchiladas Rojas are a flavorful and comforting Mexican dish that features tortillas filled with delicious meat or beans, then smothered in a rich red chili sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. The red sauce is made from dried chiles, giving it a deep, smoky, and tangy flavor. Here’s a traditional recipe for Enchiladas Rojas from scratch.
Homemade Enchiladas Rojas
Ingredients:
For the Red Sauce (Salsa Roja):
- 4 dried guajillo chilies (or ancho chilies, if preferred)
- 2 dried pasilla chilies
- 2 dried mulato chilies (optional, for a deeper flavor)
- 3 tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 small onion
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Enchiladas:
- 10-12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (or beef, pork, or beans for a vegetarian option)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (like Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or Cheddar)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (optional, for filling)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying the tortillas)
- Lettuce or shredded cabbage (optional, for garnish)
- Sliced avocado (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Red Sauce (Salsa Roja):
- Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chiles. Place the chiles in a saucepan and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 10-15 minutes, until softened.
- While the chiles are soaking, place the tomatoes, garlic, and onion in a separate pan and roast them over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and the skin darkens, about 7-10 minutes.
- Once the chiles are softened, drain them and place them in a blender along with the roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, and salt. Add about 1 cup of the chicken broth to help blend everything smoothly.
- Blend until the sauce is smooth, adding more chicken broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Pour the blended sauce into the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes to deepen the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Prepare the Tortillas:
- Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Quickly fry the tortillas for about 10-15 seconds on each side to soften them. You want them to remain pliable, not crispy.
- Once fried, drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Assemble the Enchiladas:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pour about 1/2 cup of the red sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to create a base layer.
- Dip each tortilla into the red sauce, ensuring it’s fully coated, then place the tortilla in the baking dish.
- Add a spoonful of the shredded chicken (or your choice of filling) and a small amount of chopped onions in the center of each tortilla. Roll it up tightly and place it seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Top and Bake:
- Once all the tortillas are rolled and in the baking dish, pour the remaining sauce over the top. Make sure to coat all the enchiladas evenly with sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove the enchiladas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Top with sour cream or Mexican crema, freshly chopped cilantro, and optional garnishes like lettuce, avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime.
Tips:
- Substitute for Corn Tortillas: If you prefer flour tortillas, you can use them, but traditional enchiladas use corn tortillas.
- Make it Vegetarian: You can skip the meat and fill the enchiladas with beans, sautéed vegetables, or potatoes for a vegetarian version.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the sauce and filling ahead of time, assemble the enchiladas, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake.
These Homemade Enchiladas Rojas are full of bold flavors from the homemade red sauce, offering the perfect combination of tender tortillas, flavorful filling, and melted cheese. Enjoy this classic Mexican comfort food with your loved ones!