Green enchilada sauce is a great way to mix up your Mexican night routine.
However, if you want to find some alternatives to this sauce, we will show you some potential options.
Read on to explore substitutes for green enchilada sauce that your family or friends are sure to love!
What is Green Enchilada Sauce?
Green Enchilada Sauce is a type of Mexican sauce made from roasted green chile peppers, garlic, onion, and cilantro.
It has a mild to medium spice level and is usually used as a base for enchiladas or as part of the filling.
Additionally, it can be used to top tacos, burritos, huevos rancheros, tamales, and other dishes.
Green Enchilada Sauce is an essential part of traditional Mexican cuisine.
It has become popular in many parts of the world due to its unique flavor profile and versatility.
When purchasing Green Enchilada Sauce make sure to look for ones with minimal additives or preservatives.
Homemade versions are easy to make and often taste superior to store-bought varieties.
Substitutes For Green Enchilada Sauce
Here is a list of some common substitutions that work well in place of green enchilada sauce:
Taco Sauce
Perhaps the easiest alternative is taco sauce.
Compared to green enchilada sauce, taco sauce is thinner in consistency.
However, it still has a tangy flavor that complements enchiladas and other Mexican dishes.
Taco sauce can be found in many grocery stores, but it’s easy to make by yourself as well.
All you need is a mixture of tomato sauce, vinegar, chili powder, and a hint of sugar.
Just mix all these ingredients to taste, and you’ve got yourself a delicious alternative to green enchilada sauce.
Tomatillo Avocado Sauce
If you’re looking for an alternative with a similar texture and flavor profile to green enchilada sauce, tomatillo avocado sauce is a great option.
This sauce is made by blending tomatillos, jalapeños, avocados, and a blend of herbs and spices until smooth.
The end result is a velvety and creamy sauce with just the right amount of tang and spiciness.
It’s perfect as a dip for chips or as a sauce for tacos or enchiladas.
Salsa Verde
Salsa verde is a classic Mexican sauce that’s similar to green enchilada sauce in terms of color and flavor.
It’s made using green tomatoes or tomatillos, green chili peppers, onions, and garlic.
This sauce has a tangy and spicy taste that complements many dishes.
You can find salsa verde in supermarkets, but it’s easy to make at home as well.
Just roast all the ingredients, blend them together, and you’ve got yourself a zesty sauce that’s perfect for enchiladas.
Tomatillo-Chipotle Sauce
Another awesome option is the tomatillo-chipotle sauce.
This sauce is made using tomatillos, chipotle peppers, garlic, and a combination of herbs and spices like cumin and oregano.
The end result is a smoky and spicy sauce that’s perfect for enchiladas or tacos.
It’s easy to make at home, and you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer chipotle peppers.
Chiltomate Sauce
Chiltomate Sauce is a Mexican sauce made with tomatoes, habanero peppers, garlic, and onion.
It’s perfect for turning up the heat in dishes like bubble and squeak, fish tacos, and burrito bowls.
Like Green Enchilada Sauce, Chiltomate Sauce is a great way to add bold flavor to your dishes.
It’s quick and easy to make at home by simply roasting the tomatoes and habanero peppers, then blending them in with garlic and onion.
It’s the perfect alternative to Green Enchilada Sauce because of its spiciness and tanginess.
Ranchero Sauce
Ranchero Sauce is made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spicy chilies, and is the perfect accompaniment for huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, and fajitas.
The spiciness of the chilies and the freshness of the tomatoes make this sauce a great alternative to Green Enchilada Sauce.
You can easily make Ranchero Sauce at home using quality ingredients and your preferred spices.
Ranchero Sauce is a good choice for those looking to reduce their usage of processed foods, as it is made entirely from scratch.
Moreover, its spicy flavor makes it a great choice for adding some extra zest to your favorite dishes.
Sofrito Sauce
Sofrito Sauce is a traditional Spanish sauce made with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers.
It’s ideal for adding flavor to rice dishes, stews, and soups, and it makes a great alternative for Green Enchilada Sauce.
This sauce is typically made in large batches and then frozen for later use.
Simply thaw it out and use it whenever you need it.
The combination of onion, garlic, and tomato works perfectly together and delivers a rich flavor to any dish.
Additionally, the peppers add a nice spice that helps bring out the more subtle flavors in your food.
FAQs
How Do I Make Green Enchilada Sauce At Home?
To make green enchilada sauce at home you will need olive oil, onions, garlic cloves, jalapeno pepper seeds, green chili peppers, tomato paste, cumin, oregano and chicken broth.
Add the oil to a big saucepan and heat it for one minute on medium-high.
Then add in the onions and garlic cloves and cook until they are softened.
Next, add jalapeno pepper seeds and green chili peppers before stirring in the tomato paste.
Once combined, stir in cumin, oregano and chicken broth.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes before blending with an immersion blender or food processor until smooth.
Serve warm over your favorite Mexican dishes.
Is Green Enchilada Sauce Spicy?
Green enchilada sauce can be mild or spicy depending on how much chili peppers are used.
You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapenos to the recipe.
To reduce the heat, you can opt for mild green chili peppers instead.
Additionally, you can add additional ingredients, such as honey or brown sugar to reduce the spiciness and increase the sweetness of the sauce.
How Long Does Green Enchilada Sauce Last?
Homemade green enchilada sauce can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
If you plan on storing it longer, it should be frozen instead.
The sauce can be kept for up to 3 months in the freezer before needing to be discarded.
When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it back up on low heat until warm before serving.
Conclusion
These substitutes for green enchilada sauce definitely satisfy your cravings for something spicy and tangy.
Try them out in your favorite dishes and see which you like best.
You may find that you like one of these substitutes even better than Green Enchilada Sauce itself!
Remember that you can always experiment with ingredients and spices to achieve the perfect flavor.
These sauces are easy to make at home and are both delicious and healthy, so don’t hesitate to try them out today!
