Originally a Mexican street food, enchiladas didn't have a filling—they were simply rolled tortillas dipped in chili sauce. The version we all know and love today often varies from its origin, and widely from each other, since enchiladas are now filled with a variety of diverse meats, vegetables and cheeses. Yet what enchiladas still have in common is their red or green topping. Although these sauces are different in colors, they have distinct flavors and use unique ingredients.
The Difference Between Red and Green Sauce
Green enchilada sauce is generally a mixture of green tomatillos and green chilies, along with ingredients like onions, garlic, vinegar and other spices. The tomatillo, also known as the Mexican husk tomato, is a staple in Mexican cuisine. They can be eaten raw or cooked and bring the greenish color to green enchilada sauce and salsa verde (verde means "green" in Spanish). Additionally, tomatillo has a slightly herbal taste and issomewhat fruity and tart in flavor.
One common mistake people make is believing that a green sauce isn't spicy. Most green enchilada sauces use green chilis, whichincludes jalapenos and serrano, tipping off the spicy scale. As with any color chili, green saucesrange from mild to hot.
Red enchilada sauce, on the other hand,is typically made from a variety of red chilies, vinegar, onions, garlic and spices. Some "quick" versions of red enchilada sauce may use red tomato sauce or paste as a base. Just like green enchilada sauce, red sauce can range from being mildly spicy to knock-your-socks-off spicy — it all depends on the chili.
How to Choose YourEnchiladaSauce
One way you can choose between red and green enchilada sauce is by looking at the ingredients. This will give you an idea of the flavor profile and the level of spice included. Obviously, seeing vegetables and spices like green peppers in one or jalapenos and chilies in the other speaks to the kind of taste you can expect. Rather than overthink the color, consider the type of enchilada you're having — bean, beef,chicken or vegetable — and ask yourself what type of sauce would pair nicely with that. You may want to experiment a little if you're cooking at home. Alternatively if you're eating out, you could ask the server to recommend a sauce for the meal you're ordering.
Enchilada Types
For breakfast, you can make an avocado and black bean enchilada with a green topping. If you want something a bit sweeter, you can opt for a sweet corn and jalapeno enchilada full of cheesy corn. For lunch or dinner, you can get creative with an enchilada soup with your choice of meat, beans, corn and toppings.For a tasty dessert enchilada, try a fresh fruit one full of blueberries, strawberries, bananas and creme filling.
Enchiladas can vary in calories and healthy ingredients because they can be stuffed with almost anything. To make them a bit healthier, you can opt for a bean or vegetable enchilada over a chicken or beef one. You can also use low-fat cheese and a plain tortilla — rather than a fried one — to bake it with. Using little or no cheese and a green or red chili sauce will also help you lower fat.
FAQs
Green vs.
Which is spicier, red or green enchilada sauce? ›
Red enchilada sauce tends to be spicier due to the use of dried red chili peppers, which have a higher Scoville heat rating compared to fresh green chili peppers. However, the spiciness can be adjusted to suit individual tastes by varying the quantity of chili peppers used in the sauce.
What enchilada sauce is mild? ›
LA VICTORIA® Red Enchilada Sauce Mild is a perfect blend signature spices and red chiles for a mild flavor profile for those who want great taste without too much heat.
Is green or red sauce less spicy? ›
Typically, red hot sauce is flavored with ripened red chilis and is typically a lot hotter than green. Red also typically has what many people describe as a more “earthy” taste, while green tends towards a “fresher” taste.
Is green enchilada sauce spicy hot? ›
It is believed that green sauce is not very spicy. However, as the tomatillos can be slightly sweet, the green chilies add to the heat. Some green sauce recipes will also have jalapenos and serrano which cranks up the heat. Green sauce ranges from a mild to hot spicy flavor.
Are enchiladas better with red or green sauce? ›
If you are making enchiladas, you may be wondering, “Which sauce should I use?” This is an excellent question, and the most straightforward answer is whatever you prefer. If you are making beef enchiladas, it is more common to pair them with a red sauce, and chicken enchiladas usually have a green sauce.
Is mild red enchilada sauce spicy? ›
Just like green enchilada sauce, red sauce can range from being mildly spicy to knock-your-socks-off spicy — it all depends on the chili.
What is the least spicy enchilada sauce? ›
Use Las Palmas® Mild Red Enchilada Sauce to make a delicious Mexican staple. Offering a mild level of spice to enhance but not overpower your enchiladas, this sauce is sure to make your meal a hit.
Who makes mild enchilada sauce? ›
Old El Paso Mild Red Enchilada Sauce, 1 ct., 19 oz. 4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value.
What's hotter mild or medium enchilada sauce? ›
Medium is spicier than mild, but many store-bought “medium” and “mild” foods taste similar. Spiciness levels are based on how much of the chemical capsaicin a pepper has. The scale ranges from mild to extremely hot. Everybody has a different spice tolerance—“mild,” “medium,” and “hot” are all relative.
Try adding a splash of these acidic ingredients to cool down the spiciness in your dishes:
- Lemon Juice.
- Lime Juice.
- Vinegar.
- Ketchup.
- Tomato Sauce.
The main ingredients for a salsa verde are tomatillos and serrano peppers. But, there are many variations and techniques to make a salsa verde.
Which is less spicy red or green chili? ›
Green Versus Red
You might assume red chile is spicier, but that's not usually the case. How hot your chile is depends on the variety of the plant used, as well as growing conditions. Generally speaking, the flavor of the chile gets sweeter, not hotter, as it ripens and turns red.
What is normal enchilada sauce called? ›
The most common “red” enchilada sauce may also be called salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas, or mole rojo. This is a sauce made out of ancho/pasilla/New Mexico and/or Cascabel chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, cumin, oregano, etc.
Which is spicier, Mexican red or green sauce? ›
Typically red salsas are served slightly chilled, while green salsas can be served chilled or as a warm sauce. Another general rule? Red salsa is hotter than green. But, again, there are exceptions.
What's the difference between green enchilada sauce and salsa? ›
The biggest difference between the two condiments is that enchilada sauce is made of cooked ingredients whereas salsa verde is concocted of raw ingredients (Don't worry, we'll get into what those ingredients are soon). Another key difference is the consistency.
Can I substitute green enchilada sauce for red? ›
It's a pretty ideal alternative. Try this green enchilada sauce in place of red enchilada sauce the next time you make your favorite enchilada recipe.
What's the difference between red sauce and green sauce? ›
The color is because of the base used, not because of the chilies. A green salsa uses tomatillo, and the red salsa uses tomatoes and/or red guajillo chilies (which are pretty mild) with water. But in addition to the base, you add chilies.
