Zesty Homemade Enchilada Sauce for Canning
This vibrant and flavorful enchilada sauce is perfect for canning and can elevate your favorite Tex-Mex dishes. Made from fresh, ripe tomatoes and a blend of aromatic spices, this sauce not only enhances enchiladas but can also be used as a versatile Mexican-flavored tomato sauce in various recipes. Whether you're preparing a quick weeknight dinner or stocking up your pantry, this easy recipe is a must-try for any home cook looking to enjoy homemade goodness straight from the jar.
N/A
Servings
25
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
halved cored peeled tomatoes
12 cups (about 24 medium or 8 lb)
water
as needed (to cover tomatoes)
bottled lemon juice
6 tablespoons (add to jars)
salt
optional (1/4 teaspoon per jar, if using)
chili powder
6 teaspoons (spice blend)
ground cumin
2 teaspoons (spice blend)
oregano
2 teaspoons (spice blend)
garlic powder
2 teaspoons (spice blend)
ground coriander
2 teaspoons (spice blend)
seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (optional)
Instructions
1
Prepare your boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use, taking care not to boil. Set the bands aside.
2
In a large saucepan, combine the halved, cored, and peeled tomatoes along with just enough water to cover them. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to soften the tomatoes.
3
While the tomatoes are cooking, prepare the spice blend. In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and ground coriander.
4
Once the tomatoes are ready, add 2-1/2 teaspoons of the spice blend, 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt (if using) to each hot pint jar, adjusting to 2 teaspoons of spice blend if omitting the seasoning salt.
5
Carefully pack the cooked tomatoes into the hot jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Pour the hot cooking liquid over the tomatoes to fill the jars, again leaving a 1/2 inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles by running a clean knife along the sides of the jar.
6
Wipe the rims of the jars to ensure a proper seal. Center a hot lid on each jar and apply the band, adjusting it until it is fingertip-tight.
7
Process the filled jars in the boiling water canner for 40 minutes for both pint and quart jars, adjusting for altitude as necessary.
8
After processing, carefully remove the jars and allow them to cool completely on a clean towel or cooling rack. After 24 hours, check the lids for a proper seal; the center of the lid should not flex up and down when pressed.
Nutrition Information
0.08g
Fat
5.7g
Carbs
1.2g
Protein
1.8g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Homemade Enchilada Sauce for Canning?
It is a vibrant, flavorful sauce made from fresh tomatoes and spices, specifically designed for canning and use in various Tex-Mex dishes.
How many calories are in a serving of this sauce?
This sauce contains approximately 25 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this enchilada sauce?
The sauce contains 0.08g of fat.
How many carbohydrates does the sauce have?
Each serving contains 5.7g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in the sauce?
There is 1.2g of protein per serving.
What is the fiber content of this recipe?
The sauce provides 1.8g of fiber per serving.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredients in this recipe.
What quantity of tomatoes is needed?
You need 12 cups of halved, cored, and peeled tomatoes, which is about 24 medium tomatoes or 8 lbs.
How long should the tomatoes simmer?
The tomatoes should simmer gently for about 5 minutes to soften.
What spices are included in the spice blend?
The blend includes chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and ground coriander.
How much bottled lemon juice is added to each jar?
Add 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice to each hot pint jar.
Is salt required in this recipe?
Salt is optional; you can add 1/4 teaspoon per jar if desired.
How much spice blend is used per jar?
Each hot pint jar receives 2-1/2 teaspoons of the spice blend, or 2 teaspoons if seasoning salt is omitted.
What is the required headspace for canning this sauce?
Leave 1/2 inch of headspace when packing the jars and adding the liquid.
How long should the jars be processed?
Process both pint and quart jars in a boiling water canner for 40 minutes.
How do you prepare the canning jars?
Heat the jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use, but do not boil the lids.
Should air bubbles be removed?
Yes, run a clean knife along the sides of the jar to remove air bubbles before sealing.
How tight should the jar bands be?
Adjust the bands until they are fingertip-tight.
How long do the jars need to cool after processing?
The jars should cool completely on a towel or rack for 24 hours.
How do you verify a proper seal on the jars?
After 24 hours, check the lids; the center should not flex up or down when pressed.
What happens if I omit the seasoning salt?
If you omit the optional 1 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning salt, adjust the spice blend to 2 teaspoons per pint jar.
Can I use fresh lemon juice?
The recipe specifically calls for bottled lemon juice to ensure consistent acidity for safe canning.
What type of canner is used for this recipe?
This recipe is designed for a boiling water canner.
What are some ways to use this sauce?
It is great for enchiladas or as a versatile Mexican-flavored tomato sauce in various recipes.
How do you prep the tomatoes?
Tomatoes should be halved, cored, and peeled before they are simmered.
Does this recipe require altitude adjustment?
Yes, processing times should be adjusted for altitude as necessary according to local guidelines.
What is the total amount of chili powder used?
The recipe calls for 6 teaspoons of chili powder for the spice blend.
Are there any tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include canning, homemade sauce, Mexican recipes, and spicy tomato sauce.
Is there cholesterol in this sauce?
The nutritional information indicates that there is no cholesterol in this sauce.
What do you do with the tomato liquid from simmering?
The hot cooking liquid is poured over the packed tomatoes to fill the jars to the appropriate headspace.