Sheet Pan Roasted Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This sheet pan roasted green enchilada sauce is a vibrant, flavorful sauce made from roasted tomatillos and peppers. The roasting process adds depth and a slight charred sweetness, making it perfect for enchiladas, tacos, or any Mexican-inspired dish.

A single white bowl with thin dark vertical stripes around the rim holds a smooth, thick green soup with small bits visible in the texture. A gold spoon with a white handle dips into the soup near the center, slightly lifting it. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with some green cilantro leaves and half a lime blurred in the background. The scene is softly lit, showing the creamy texture and fresh green color of the soup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 pound tomatillos, husks removed
  • 10 ounces (310 grams) yellow onion, cut into chunks (about 1 onion)
  • 6 cloves garlic, papers removed
  • 1 (165 g) green bell pepper, halved, top and seeds removed
  • 1 jalapeño, cut in half, seeds removed (about 60 g)
  • 2 (225 g) poblano peppers, tops chopped off, seeds removed, but left whole
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • ½ cup (15 g) cilantro
  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for roasting

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the tomatillos, yellow onion, garlic, green bell pepper, jalapeño, and poblano peppers on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss everything with the olive oil and a generous pinch of kosher salt. Spread the vegetables out across the pan, placing tomatillos cut-side down and peppers skin-side down.
  2. Step 2: Roast for 15 minutes, then toss the peppers and onion. Don’t worry about the juice released from the tomatillos. Continue roasting for another 10 minutes until the vegetables are soft and tender, and the poblano peppers are slightly charred.
  3. Step 3: Let the vegetables cool slightly on the pan until the poblano peppers are cool enough to handle. Peel off the charred skin from the poblanos using kitchen tongs, a fork, or your fingers. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
  4. Step 4: In a blender, combine the vegetable broth, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, salt, and the roasted vegetables. Vent the lid slightly to allow steam to escape. Blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth or until your desired consistency is reached.
  5. Step 5: Use the sauce immediately or transfer it to a jar for storage.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra smoky flavor, try roasting the peppers over an open flame before adding them to the sheet pan.
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in or add an additional jalapeño.
  • To make the sauce thinner, add more vegetable broth while blending.

Storage

Store the green enchilada sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. It can also be frozen for longer storage—thaw in the fridge overnight and stir well before reheating. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How to Serve

A white bowl with thin blue vertical stripes around the outside is filled with a thick, smooth green soup being poured into the center, creating a small circular depression where the pour meets the surface. The soup has a textured, slightly bubbly surface with a mix of lighter and darker green shades. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with blurred green herbs visible in the background. The lighting is soft, highlighting the glossy texture of the soup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth?

Yes, chicken broth works well and will add additional savory flavor to the sauce.

Do I have to peel the poblano peppers?

Peeling the poblanos removes the tough, bitter skin and improves the sauce’s texture, but if you don’t mind a slightly smokier and chunkier texture, you can leave some skin on.

Print
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Sheet Pan Roasted Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe


  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: About 3 cups of sauce, serving approximately 6 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This vibrant Sheet Pan Roasted Green Enchilada Sauce features a smoky blend of roasted tomatillos, bell peppers, and poblano peppers, blended with fresh herbs and spices for a zesty, flavorful sauce perfect for enchiladas, tacos, or dipping.


Ingredients

Scale

Roasting Vegetables

  • 1 pound tomatillos, husks removed
  • 10 ounces (310 grams) yellow onion, cut into chunks (1 onion)
  • 6 cloves garlic, papers removed
  • 1 (165 g) green bell pepper, halved, top and seeds removed
  • 1 jalapeno, cut in half, seeds removed (60g)
  • 2 (225 g) poblano peppers, tops chopped off, seeds removed, but left whole
  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt, for roasting, plus ½ teaspoon for sauce

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • ½ cup (15 g) cilantro
  • ½ Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat and arrange vegetables: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place tomatillos (cut-side down), yellow onion, garlic, green bell pepper, jalapeno, and poblano peppers (skin-side down) on a large rimmed sheet pan. Toss with olive oil and a generous pinch of kosher salt to coat evenly.
  2. Roast the vegetables: Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes, then toss them to mix and redistribute the juice released from the tomatillos. Continue roasting for another 10 minutes until vegetables are soft, tender, and the poblanos are slightly charred.
  3. Cool and peel poblanos: Let the vegetables cool slightly until the poblano peppers can be handled safely. Peel off the charred skin from the poblanos using kitchen tongs, a fork, or fingers. It’s okay if some skin remains.
  4. Blend the sauce: Transfer the roasted vegetables into a blender. Add vegetable broth, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Vent the blender lid to allow steam to escape. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and your desired consistency is reached.
  5. Store or use immediately: Use the sauce immediately for enchiladas or other dishes, or transfer to an airtight jar. Store in the fridge for 5-7 days or freeze for longer preservation.

Notes

  • The roasting step develops a smoky flavor that is characteristic of authentic green enchilada sauce.
  • Removing the skin from the charred poblanos helps avoid bitterness but leaving some skin is acceptable.
  • You can adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more or less vegetable broth during blending.
  • This sauce can be frozen in ice cube trays for convenient portioning.
  • Handle jalapeno carefully as it adds heat; remove seeds to reduce spiciness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: green enchilada sauce, roasted tomatillo sauce, enchilada sauce recipe, vegan enchilada sauce, roasted pepper sauce

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