Best Red Chile Sauce Recipes

NEW MEXICO RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat the bottom of a heavy saucepan with oil; add chile pods. Toast over medium heat until aromatic, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add enough chicken stock to allow pods to float; simmer until they develop the texture of wet leather, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Fill blender halfway with chile-stock mixture. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Pour into a bowl; repeat with remaining mixture. Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan over medium heat. Discard solids.
• Stir cumin, coriander, and oregano into the saucepan; add honey. Cook until sauce is thick and evenly coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.

MEXICAN RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place chiles on a baking sheet. Toast lightly in oven, 3 or 4 minutes, until they give off a mild aroma. Do not burn, otherwise, chiles will be very bitter.
• Remove chiles from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Remove and discard stems, seeds, and any pink pithy materials.
• Rinse chiles in cool water, drain briefly, then cover with hot water and soak for an hour.
• Process chiles in blender with enough of the soaking water to obtain a nice, blended consistency.
• Add remaining water, tomato sauce, garlic, oil, salt, oregano, and cumin. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for later use.

HOT RED CHILE PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine hot peppers, onions and garlic in the bowl of a food processor or blender and puree.
• Add dry mustard, salt, cloves and vinegar and combine.
• Transfer to a small nonaluminum saucepan and simmer over medium low heat 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour into warm sterilized jars and seal.

RED CHILE SAUCE (CHILE COLORADO)

Steps:

• Rinse chiles and split open, discarding stems, seeds, and ribs.
• Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over moderate heat, then toast chiles, skin sides up, in batches, about 30 seconds (be careful not to burn them, or sauce will be bitter). Transfer chiles as toasted to a heatproof bowl and pour boiling water over them. Cover bowl and soak chiles, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 15 minutes.
• Purée chiles with three fourths of soaking liquid, reserving remainder, in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Pour purée through a coarse sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids, and discard solids. Whisk reserved soaking liquid into chile mixture.
• Cook onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano in oil in a large heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Whisk in chile mixture and simmer, partially covered, whisking occasionally, until reduced to about 2 1/2 cups, about 30 minutes. Season with salt, vinegar, and sugar.

BEER BATTERED TILAPIA WITH RED CHILE MANDARIN ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat enough olive oil, to shallow fry the fish, in a large skillet over medium-high heat
• In a shallow dish, whisk together 1/2 cup of the flour, beer, egg, and baking powder. Place remaining 1/4 cup flour in a separate shallow dish.
• Season both sides of fish fillets with salt and black pepper. Dredge fish in flour, turn to coat both sides and then shake off excess flour. Dunk fish in beer mixture and turn to coat both sides.
• Add fish to hot oil and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, until cooked through and opaque. Remove fish from oil. Place on a paper towel lined plate.
• While the fish is frying, in a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice and chili paste. Add mandarin oranges and cilantro and toss to combine. Serve sauce over fish.

BASIC RED SAUCE (SALSA DE CHILE ROJO)

Steps:

• Soak chiles in warm water until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain; strain and reserve liquid. Remove stems and seeds and membranes from the chiles. Cook and stir onion and garlic in oil in a 2-qt. saucepan until onion is tender. Add chiles and 2 cups of the reserved liquid , the tomato sauce, oregano, cumin and salt. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Cool.
• Transfer to blender container; cover and blend on low speed until smooth. Strain. Refrigerate sauce no longer than 10 days.
• Note: I strain mine in a mesh strainer or colander. It takes a few minutes, but keep thinking of how great this is going to taste!

RELAJO (SALVADOREAN RED CHILE SAUCE)

Steps:

• Place the chile ingredients in a medium size pot and cover with water. Bring the chiles and tomatoes to a boil, cover and continue boiling for 20 minutes.
• Next, place the spice mix ingredients in a saute pan and toast on medium high heat stirring constantly. Make sure to keep everything moving so that the sesame seeds do not burn. Keep toasting the mixture for about 3 minutes until the sesame seeds turn golden brown. Remove the mixture from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Once the chiles and tomatoes are cooked, remove from the heat and allow them to cool for about 15 minutes.
• Working in two batches, place the chile ingredients in the blender with a half cup of the cooking liquid for each batch. Blend on high for 2 minutes.
• Pour the blended chile into a large pan and set aside.
• Next, pour the spice mix ingredients in the blender, with 1 cup of water. Blend on high for 5-8 minutes until the sesame seeds are completely blended and the liquid is smooth (may feel a little gritty but will not be chunky at all).
• Next, pour the spice mix into the chile mix and bring the pot to a low boil over medium heat. Once the chile has boiled for 5 minutes add the margarine stirring to incorporate. Once the margarine is melted add the chicken and beef consomme powder and stir to incorporate.
• Continue cooking the chile sauce on medium heat for an additional 10 minutes.
• Note: The sauce prepared above would be for Salvadorean Tamales. Add an additional cup of water, 1/2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 tsp of celery salt when you add the consomme for the sauce that is served over Panes Rellenos. For Sopa de Pata, use the same ingredients for the Panes Rellenos but add another 6 cups of water and double the chile and spice mix recipe.

ENCHILADA CASSEROLE WITH RED GUAJILLO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet, sprinkling in pepper and taco seasoning, until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, bell peppers, and carrots; saute for 5 minutes.
• Pour guajillo sauce into a large measuring cup and stir in sugar. Pour sauce over the beef mixture; stir in black beans.
• Place 3 tortillas on the bottom of a casserole dish. Add half the meat mixture on top. Sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese on top. Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 25 minutes.

RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove stems and seeds from dried chile pods. Rinse and place in 4-quart pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let pods steep for 30 minutes.
• Drain pods in a colander and reserve juice. Place softened pods into a blender or food processor, adding just enough reserved juice to barely cover. Blend to a fine consistency. Pour the resulting pulp into a fine sieve or colander and allow the extra juice to drain out, stirring occasionally.
• Return this pulp to the 4-quart pot and add the salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste to adjust seasonings. If the sauce tastes bitter, add the tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
• Use red chile sauce over enchiladas, chile rellenos, or as a side or sauce for any other Mexican entree.

RED CHILE CRUSTED FILET MIGNON WITH ANCHO CHILE MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat, add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the wine and cook until dry. Reduce the heat to medium, add the mushrooms, cook until lightly browned and soft, and add the stock. Raise the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes. Whisk in the ancho puree and chipotle and cook for 5 minutes more. Add the honey and salt and pepper to taste.
• For the steak: Combine all the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Brush a large saute pan or grill pan with oil and heat over high heat until almost smoking. Dredge each steak on 1 side in the pepper mixture and cook, pepper-side down for 1 minute, or until brown and crisp. Turn the meat over, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more, until done to your liking. Serve with the Ancho Chile Mushroom Sauce.

RANCH STYLE EGGS WITH CHORIZO AND TOMATO-RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half.
• Add the tomatoes, water, ancho, chipotle, pasilla, honey and cook over medium-high heat until the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally, about 20 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the lime juice just before removing from the heat.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Fry tortillas, one at a time, until crisp, 20 to 30 seconds. Drain on paper towels and season immediately with salt.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat.
• Add the chorizo and cook until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels and let cool slightly. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat. Add the butter to the pan; when the butter melts, turn the heat to down to medium.
• Carefully crack the eggs into the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook, until the whites are completely firm but the yolks are still soft, about 2 minutes.
• Combine the crema and lime zest in a small bowl. Place a few spoonfuls of the red chile sauce on four plates. Place a fried tortilla on top of the sauce. Divide the eggs over the tortillas and ladle the warm tomato-red chile sauce over. Sprinkle each with about 3 tablespoons of the cheese and some of the lime crema and garnish with the crisp chorizo and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

PORK CHILE ROJO (PULLED PORK WITH RED CHILE SAUCE)

Steps:

• Place the pork roast into an oven roasting bag set inside a slow cooker. Sprinkle the chili powder over the roast and arrange onions on top of the roast. Loosely close the top of the bag with a nylon tie. Use scissors to cut 3 vents, 1-inch long in the top of the bag. Pour the water into the bottom of the slow cooker, around the bag, so that it is at least 1 inch deep.
• Cover and cook the pork on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
• Remove the pork and onions from the bag and place in a large Dutch oven; reserve 3/4 cup of liquid from the bag. Shred the pork by pulling it apart using two forks. Stir the salsa, tomatoes, and cooking liquid in with the shredded pork.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

MEXICAN MEATBALLS WITH RED CHILE TOMATO SAUCE AND QUESO FRESCO

Steps:

• For the red chile tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a 12-inch high-sided saute pan over high heat. Cook the onions and jalapenos until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds, and then stir in the chili powder and coriander and cook 1 minute. Pour in 1 cup water and cook until reduced. Mix in the chipotles and tomatoes and bring a boil, and then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper and honey, if using. Whisk in the crema, followed by the cilantro, and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• For the mexican meatballs: Grind the cubed meats using a hand-operated meat grinder fit with a medium dye. Combine the ground meats with the garlic and egg in a large bowl, and then add in 1/4 cup of the cilantro, the cheese, New Mexico chili powder, Mexican oregano, cumin and cayenne pepper. Gently mix together until combined. Begin mixing in the breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together. Mix in some salt and black pepper, and form the meat into 2-inch balls. Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and cook until the liquid is mostly reduced and the meatballs are just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes longer. Transfer to a serving platter and top with the Red Chile Tomato Sauce, queso fresco and additional cilantro leaves.

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the onion, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the onions have softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato sauce and water, bring to a simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the thickest part registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate; set aside to cool. Strain the sauce through a medium-mesh strainer into a medium bowl, pressing on the onions to extract as much liquid as possible. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
• Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred into bite-sized pieces. Toss together the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce, 1 cup of the cheddar, the jalapeños, and cilantro, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stack the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on high until warm and pliable, 40 to 60 seconds. Spread the warm tortillas out over a clean work surface. Place 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture evenly down the center of each tortilla. Tightly roll each tortilla around the filling and lay them seam-side down in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish.
• Lightly spray the tops of the enchiladas with vegetable oil spray. Pour 1 cup of the remaining sauce over the enchiladas to coat them thoroughly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheddar down the center of the enchiladas. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake until the enchiladas are heated through, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese browns, about 5 minutes longer. Serve, passing the remaining 1 cup sauce and the lime wedges separately.

CHILE COLORADO (BASIC RED CHILE SAUCE)

Steps:

• Heat shortening in a medium saucepan on medium heat.
• Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Add chile powder and cook for an additional minute.
• Gradually add the water and stir, making sure that no lumps form.
• Add seasonings to sauce and simmer at low heat for 10-15 minutes.***.
• * Red Chile recipe above. Varied amounts and variety of chile will determine the degree of hotness.
• ** For a more mild flavor, tomato juice may be substituted.
• *** Last red chile can be very bitter if it doesn't simmer long enough. Please let it simmer for AT LEAST 10 minutes As always, the longer it simmers the hotter it will be -- but you don't want bitter red chile. TRUST ME.
• NOTE: One pound of cooked beef or pork, ground, cubed, or shredded,may be added.
• Also can be served over pork chops or used as a gravy for mashed potatoes.

CHICKEN WITH RED CHILE SAUCE AND SAUSAGE (POLLO CON SALSA ROJO Y CHORIZO)

Steps:

• Remove the stems, seeds, and membranes from the ancho chiles and guajillo chiles, then soak in hot water until softened, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Remove the stems from the tomatoes, then cut a shallow X on the bottom. Drop the tomatoes into the water, and cook uncovered until the skin begins to peel off, about 30 seconds. Drain in a colander, then immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes until cold to stop the cooking process. Once the tomatoes are cold, peel the skin off. Drain chiles and transfer to a blender along with the peeled tomatoes, garlic, onion, and chicken broth. Blend until smooth.
• Heat 1/2 of the corn oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the chile mixture, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt. Heat the remaining corn oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken legs in 2 batches and remove from the skillet.
• Stir the chorizo into the same skillet; cook and stir until the chorizo is evenly browned. Drain any excess oil and stir in 1 cup of the chile sauce. Return the chicken to the skillet, along with the remaining chile sauce. Bring to a simmer and continue cooking until chicken is tender, 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

SPRING HILL RANCH'S NEW MEXICO RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. In a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, heat the lard until it is shimmering but not yet smoking. Sauté the onion until it has softened and become translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until it is nice and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the flour. Stir gently but constantly until the roux reaches a medium brown ("peanut butter") color, about 2 minutes. Add the chile powder or chiles, garlic, chicken broth, oregano, salt and cumin (if using). Simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon. Add a little water if needed for proper consistency. Blend or process if desired for a smoother texture.
• 2. Slather the hot (temperature-wise) sauce over or under your New Mexican or southwestern dishes. Kept in an air tight container, this should stay fresh for at least a week in the refrigerator.

CHICKEN SIMMERED IN RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Heat olive oil in frying pan and brown chicken breasts on both sides.
• Remove from pan and place in oven proof baking dish.
• Open dried chiles, remove and discard seeds and stem.
• (Seeds are removed to prevent burning) Cut chiles into pieces.
• Melt butter in frying pan.
• Lightly sauté chiles in butter.
• Add chopped onions and garlic.
• Tear tortillas into pieces and add to pan.
• (The tortillas help to thicken sauce.) Sauté until ingredients are lightly browned.
• Add chicken stock and salt and simmer until ingredients are soft.
• Remove from heat and cool sauce to room temperature.
• Transfer cooled sauce to blender and blend until smooth.
• Pour sauce over chicken breasts.
• Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is done.
• Remove from oven, top with shredded jack cheese and garnish with sprigs of cilantro.
• Bake a few additional minutes to melt cheese if necessary.

IRMA'S RED ENCHILADA SAUCE (SALSA DE CHILE ROJO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Place chiles on a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet.
• Roast 4-5 minutes, NO MORE THEY"LL TURN BITTER!
• Let them cool to touch.
• Cut tops off, split in two with a sharp knife.
• Remove seeds and veins, the soft part that holds the seeds.
• Cover with boiling water, let steep an hour.
• Remove each half to a platter and scrape the pulp with the edge of a spoon. After handling chiles wash your hands with warm water and baking soda to nutralize the chile juice. It's an acid. You can safely wash your eyes too.
• Combine all ingredients including the water in a sauce pan.
• Bring to a simmer, simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stirring occasionly.

PORK CHOPS WITH RED CHILE PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash pork chops and set on paper towels to dry. Roast whole jalapenos on the comal or in a cast iron skillet until all sides are toasted, approximately 10 minutes.
• Wet a small tea towel, then wrap the jalapenos in the tea towel and let them rest for 20 minutes. (This will help to soften them for peeling)
• While peppers rest, heat shortening in large cast iron skillet on medium-high.
• Cut pork chops into small and medium pieces (the sections with bone will be bigger). Season both sides of chops with kosher salt, garlic powder and crushed black pepper. Cook pork chops in skillet for about 15 to 20 minutes, periodically adding water to steam. Pork is done when chops have caramelized and water has evaporated.
• Take peppers out of tea towel and peel off skin. Cut off the ends of the peppers and place, one at a time in a food processor, and grind down with the salt and garlic. Add 1 tomato at a time (from the 2 cans of tomatoes), and grind all ingredients until sauce forms. Taste to determine if more salt is needed. Add the sauce to the pan with pork chops and simmer on low heat, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 minutes.