6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them (2024)

Homemade enchiladas are a delicious weeknight meal that everyone is sure to love. As comfort food goes, enchiladas are great because they are so versatile. You can use chicken, beef, or a classic cheese and it's one of the easiest Tex-Mex cuisines to make. Yet, while they can be easy to make, a minor mistake can turn your enchiladas into a soggy, broken mess.

How to Make Enchiladas: What Not to Do

Before you start rolling up your tortillas, check out this list of common mistakes and how to fix them so you can make the perfect enchiladas every time.

1. Choosing the Wrong Tortillas

There are two basic types of tortillas: corn or flour. While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate. Corn tortillas can also maintain their structure when rolled, so you won't have broken or seeping enchiladas.

2. Not Frying the Tortillas

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor. After you remove it from the oil, place the tortilla on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil — this will ensure the tortillas aren't greasy.

6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them (2)

3. Using Canned Enchilada Sauce

Canned enchilada sauce is easy to use in a pinch, but for best results use homemade enchilada sauce. If you're making enchilada sauce from scratch, you have three options: red, green, and brown. Red sauce is typically made with tomato sauce and chili powder, while green sauce is made with green chiles. Brown sauce is a Tex-Mex enchilada chili gravy that is a fusion of brown gravy and chili sauce.

While enchilada sauce is easy to make from scratch, if you want to use canned sauce there are tricks to make it taste better. Combine 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 can of red enchilada sauce, 1 cup chicken broth, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and simmer until sauce is thick. This method can be quicker than making a homemade sauce and it doesn't skimp on flavor.

6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them (3)

4. Not Dipping the Tortillas in Sauce

After you fry and drain the tortilla, dip both sides into your enchilada sauce to coat the entire tortilla. Dipping your tortillas in sauce will ensure even distribution — and means you can use less sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, which will prevent them from getting soggy.

6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them (4)

5. Overstuffing the Tortillas

The filling is the best part of an enchilada, but don't go overboard when you're stuffing them. You can use any filling you like, such as chicken, beef, vegetables, and cheese, but if you add too much you can rip the tortillas and have seepage. Fill your tortillas with about 2 or 3 tablespoons of filling.

6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them (5)

6. Adding Too Much Sauce

Most people drown their enchiladas in sauce before putting them in the oven, but that's the number one cause of soggy enchiladas. Because you've already coated your tortillas in the sauce, they won't need that much more. Spread about 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking and to fully saturate the enchiladas. Once the tortillas are stuffed and rolled, place them in the dish with the seam side down. Top with cheese and 2 to 3 cups of sauce. Follow recipe directions to bake the enchiladas, and enjoy!

Related:

6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them (2024)

FAQs

6 Biggest Enchilada Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

What is the secret to non-soggy enchiladas? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Should I fry flour tortillas before making enchiladas? ›

Treat Your Tortillas Right

The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll. This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don't soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.

How to make enchiladas that don't fall apart? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Assemble the remaining enchiladas. Then spread any remaining sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas, followed by any extra cheese. Bake. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside.

How to keep enchiladas from getting hard on the bottom? ›

Some recipes suggest spreading a little sauce (½ cup for a 3-quart baking dish) on the bottom of the pan before adding enchiladas. This keeps the tortillas from sticking to the pan or getting tough on the bottom.

Do restaurants use flour or corn tortillas for enchiladas? ›

– Enchiladas: Most of the enchiladas that you eat in an authentic Mexican restaurant will be served using corn tortillas.

Are yellow or white corn tortillas better for enchiladas? ›

Compared to its yellow counterpart, white corn tortillas tend to be softer with a more tender texture. They also have a higher moisture content, which makes them more pliable. These corn tortillas can be easily rolled and folded without cracking or breaking — ideal for enchiladas and flautas.

Should you let enchiladas rest? ›

6Pour the rest of the sauce over the enchiladas, then sprinkle on the rest of the cheese. Give it a final sprinkling of chili powder, then bake it for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. 7Remove it from the oven and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before serving.

What size tortillas are best for enchiladas? ›

Here's a quick rundown of which tortillas might work best with which food:
  • Tacos: 8-inch corn tortillas.
  • Burritos: 10-inch (or larger) flour tortillas.
  • Quesadillas: 10-inch tortillas.
  • Enchiladas: 10-inch flour or corn tortillas.

Should you heat flour tortillas before making enchiladas? ›

The easiest way to prevent soggy enchiladas is to fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll them.

Why did my enchiladas get mushy? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

How to make enchiladas without ripping tortillas? ›

What you can do is briefly dip your tortilla into hot oil just enough to get them pliable so you can roll them without breaking them. But don't fry them until they are crisp.

How do you keep corn tortillas from getting soggy in a casserole? ›

Lightly fry your yellow corn tortillas in some oil until they are flexible enough to roll up. This gives them a sort of “raincoat” that helps them make it through the baking process. It is important to spoon sauce over the ends of any tortillas that poke up through the surface.

How do you fix watery enchilada sauce? ›

Or alternately, you can thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cold water and cornstarch whisked together, then added to the sauce once it has reached a simmer).

Do you have to soften tortillas for enchiladas? ›

Sturdy yellow corn tortillas hold up better in these enchiladas than more delicate white corn tortillas. The corn tortillas must be softened before they are rolled and baked in the casserole. Frying them gently in a little oil greatly enhances the flavor of the tortillas.

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