tomatojalapenoMexican crema

Enchiladas in Red Tomato Sauce

Enchiladas in Red Tomato Sauce

Enchiladas en Salsa Roja

Recipe Yield

6 servings

Cooking time

40 minutes

Rate this recipe

4.50 from 6 votes

Ingredients

For the sauce:

  • 1 pound ripe tomatoes
  • 1 garlic clove skin on
  • 1 1/4"-thick thick slice white onion about 1 ounce
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano chile or to taste
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste

For the enchiladas:

  • Oil for frying the tortillas optional
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1/2 cup Mexican cream
  • 1/2 cup queso fresco or cotija crumbled
  • 1/3 cup white onion chopped
  • Ripe Mexican avocado halved, scooped, sliced (optional garnish)

To Prepare

  • Place the tomatoes, garlic, onions, and chile on a medium baking dish, roasting pan or ovenproof skillet. Place them under a hot broiler and char the ingredients for about 9 to 10 minutes, turning them halfway through as the pieces brown thoroughly. The tomatoes’ skin should be charred, wrinkled, and the juices begin to run. The chile and onions should be softened and nicely charred; the papery husk of the garlic should be burned and the clove softened inside.
  • Remove the skin from the garlic clove and discard. Place the garlic in the blender along with the tomatoes, onion, and chile (start with half chile first, adding the other half or more if you feel you want more heat later), and the salt. Purée until smooth, set aside.
  • In a large sauté pan, over medium heat, add enough oil to reach 1/2-inch deep; let it heat for about 3 minutes. Gently glide each tortilla through the oil, one by one, for about 15 seconds on each side, so that they soften and become resilient. You should be able to fold them without breaking them. Transfer the tortillas to a paper towel-covered plate. Alternately, you can lightly toast them on an already hot comal or skillet set over medium heat, for about 20 seconds per side.
  • Glide the tortillas through the salsa. Fold and then cover, generously, with more of the red sauce. Sprinkle with the crumbled cheese, the cream, and the chopped onion.

Comments

37comments inEnchiladas in Red Tomato Sauce

  1. Christine B.

    Dec 16

    Hola Pati, I grew up in the lower Rio Grand Valley, Tx. Our enchiladas were cheese rolled in a corn tortilla with a can of chili con carne poured
    over the top…When I met my husband in El Paso, Tx, he set me straight on how to make South West Mexican food. I have learned so much from your PBS show, newsletters and books. Thanks so much.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Dec 20

      Hola Christine, your Rio Grande enchiladas sound delicious, thanks so much for sharing and for tuning in the show, gracias!

  2. Rene' Dean

    Jul 18

    Love your show Patti, as a born & raised Texan, now in NC. I’ll be trying this sauce with Chile rellenos tomorrow for my homegrown pablanos😊 sure do miss music from your older shows on the new ones though….

    1. Pati Jinich

      Nov 06

      Thanks so much for your message Rene, so happy to read you made Chiles rellenos, yum!

  3. Theresa

    Sep 04

    I have made this sauce before for my enchiladas and got rave reviews. I also use it to pour over my chili rellanos. It is the only sauce I like. Thank you Patti for sharing these delicious recipes with us. I want to try making your tamales next. Your masa recipe looks amazing. I know they will be delicious.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 05

      So glad you have been having fun in the kitchen Theresa, yay! Enjoy the tamales 🙂

  4. Liz Langsteiner

    May 22

    Recipe doesn’t make sense?
    What about filling the enchiladas?

    1. Pati Jinich

      May 25

      Hey Liz, you can go ahead and fill them with chicken, cheese, chorizo or anything you like. However this recipe is for “entomatadas” which are basically folded tortillas dipped in red sauce with no filling. You can serve them with refried beans and rice for a full meal 😉

  5. janicemturner3@yahoo.com

    Mar 15

    I would like to learn
    the red sauce recipe.
    from scatch. or direct me to.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 15

      Hola Janice, this recipe has the instructions to make the salsa from scratch, but I am copying it here for you anyway, enjoy!

      For the sauce:
      1 pound ripe tomatoes
      1 garlic clove skin on
      1 1/4″-thick thick slice white onion about 1 ounce
      1 jalapeño or serrano chile or to taste
      3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste

      Place the tomatoes, garlic, onions, and chile on a medium baking dish, roasting pan or ovenproof skillet. Place them under a hot broiler and char the ingredients for about 9 to 10 minutes, turning them halfway through as the pieces brown thoroughly. The tomatoes’ skin should be charred, wrinkled, and the juices begin to run. The chile and onions should be softened and nicely charred; the papery husk of the garlic should be burned and the clove softened inside.
      Remove the skin from the garlic clove and discard. Place the garlic in the blender along with the tomatoes, onion, and chile (start with half chile first, adding the other half or more if you feel you want more heat later), and the salt. Purée until smooth, set aside.

  6. Dorena

    Jan 27

    Pati your show on our local PBS is something we look forward to every weekend. Especially during the pandemic when we need a little “get away” from Kansas City, we can watch your show and enjoy your recipes, your family and beautiful Mexico. Thank you so much!!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Feb 08

      Thanks to you for tuning in and for the very kind words Dorena, un abrazo!

  7. Jim B

    Aug 22

    Fabulous. My favorite cooking show. Look forward to my weekly Mexican food adventure on public TV

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 12

      Thanks so much Jim 😉

  8. Jim F.

    Jul 29

    Hola Pati – thank you so very much for this lovely gift of a recipe! It is a favorite of mine since season 2. I make it on Saturday mornings when I just want something simple and healthy but still indulgent. It is sublime! So simple to make yet the flavors and aromas are complex and delicious. I usually place the queso fresco inside the tortillas when I fold them and top with the cotija! It is very satisfying while still eating light. Thank you and I can’t wait for next weekend to make it again!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Aug 08

      I’m so happy to hear that this is a Saturday ritual, Jim!

  9. Laura Hedlund

    Mar 01

    Another hit. I did fry ours a little crisper and cooked the sauce bc our tomatoes in MN aren’t the most flavorful right now.

    And that cotija cheese! My “meat and potatoes husband” said he didnt miss the meat. I couldn’t believe my ears! Making your carnitas with tomatillo salsa tnght…the house smells fabulous.

    I’m so glad I found you. Im asking my girlfriend for your cookbook as a b-day present. Cant wait!

    1. Pati

      Mar 05

      The smell is so amazing…glad you guys loved them! And Happy Birthday, Laura!

  10. Julie

    Sep 28

    Thank you so much for your recipes. I’m from NY relocated to FL and your recipes are the closest thing to authentic Mexican food I can get down here. And, thank you for showing us, here in the US, that Mexican food does not consist solely of the ubiquitous tacos, enchiladas, and nachos smothered in something sauce…. but is a vital, vibrant, lively cuisine

    1. Pati

      Oct 06

      It is such an honor that I get to share my love of Mexican food with you, Julie, and show its many flavors.

  11. Lyndsey

    Apr 22

    You have turned me into the best cook ever and are forever my go to for recipes. Thank you!!

    1. Pati

      Apr 23

      Oh wow!! Thank you so much Lyndsey….this made my day 🙂

  12. Marlene

    Feb 11

    Hi Patti love your show! I’m hoping to see you more on create and love your dishes, so fresh. Great Eats🌺 I also love the closeness of your family

    1. Pati

      Feb 12

      Thank YOU Marlene!

  13. Roberda Cook Indianapolis, In

    Oct 14

    Absolutely love you & your show! Continue to bring us great food! I watch you religiously

    1. Pati

      Oct 20

      Oh thank you so much Roberda!

  14. Mark P Hodges Inola OK

    Apr 30

    I have been a fan for 6 +yrs ? so much fun really good stuff. Have used many keep it UP!

    1. Pati

      May 01

      Thank you Mark!!!

  15. Lupe

    Apr 09

    Hi Pati, Are these entomatadas rather than enchiladas? My mom used to make them. We are from Sonora, Mexico originally.

    1. Pati

      Apr 27

      Si!

      1. Vivian Rojas

        Aug 17

        That’s what i thought! Thank you Patti! Love you and your show too! From El Paso with love!

  16. Lisset Gutierrez

    Mar 13

    Hola! Mi mama always fried the sauce (poured it into a hot pan with a little oil) to get rid of the raw tomato taste and give the sauce a more roasted flavor. Does broiling the veggies do the same?

    1. Pati

      Mar 16

      Hola Lisset, thank you for the question! You can fry this sauce as well… it is one variation on the dish. I prefer to make it as is, but you can always adapt it to your taste.

  17. Elena

    Jun 21

    Hola Pati!! These enchiladas remind me of my Tia from Ojinaga, Chihuahua. She would make theses for my sister and I whenever she would stay with us during the summer. Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipes. I can honestly say I never would have thought I would be able to make these ever, because she is no longer with us and we didn’t know Spanish. I guess the way she communicated with us was through her food ❤️.
    Muchisimas Gracias!!!!

    1. Pati

      Jun 30

      Oh, this note makes me so happy to read. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Elena. Sending my best to you

  18. Mary

    Mar 24

    Patti, I liked your old version of your website, unfortunately I don’t like this one???

    1. Pati

      Mar 28

      Thank you for the feedback, Mary!

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