Enchilada Sauce

Enchilada sauce is a flavorful, chili-based sauce from Mexican cuisine, traditionally made from dried chilies, tomatoes, garlic, and spices like cumin and oregano. It serves as the essential braising and topping liquid for enchiladas, a beloved dish of filled and rolled tortillas.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This sauce is generally low in protein and fat but can be moderate in carbohydrates, primarily from tomatoes and any added thickeners or sugars. A typical 1/2 cup serving provides a good source of vitamins A and C from the chilies and tomatoes, with a calorie range of approximately 30-70 calories, depending on the recipe.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	70 kcal
Protein	2 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	2.5 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	800 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin A	1200 IU
Iron	1.5 mg
Calcium	40 mg
Vitamin B6	0.2 mg
Magnesium	25 mg
Manganese	0.3 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the sauce is the soul of the enchilada, with its color (rojo, verde, or mole) defining regional variations across Mexico. Nutritionally, the capsaicin in the chilies not only provides heat but is also studied for its potential metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.