Mexican Food and Sauces are inseparable. The mouth-watering hot sauces add flavour to the dishes you intend to have. Incidentally, the usage of sauce in the food changes the entire taste of it.
The mouth-watering taste of the sauce not only adds flavour to your food but also arouses the craving to eat more. There are different types of sauces that Mexican cuisine has, and most of them look alike.
However, there are subtle differences in the taste as well as the ingredients used as well. The Enchilada Sauce and Taco sauce are in the same category.
The critical differences might give you a clear idea of the taste as well as the method to make.
Key Takeaways
- Enchilada sauce is made from tomatoes, chilli peppers, and spices, while taco sauce is made from tomatoes, chilli peppers, vinegar, and spices.
- Enchilada sauce is commonly used as a topping or filling for enchiladas, while taco sauce is served as a condiment or dipping sauce for tacos.
- Enchilada sauce tends to be thicker and more robust in flavor than taco sauce, which is thinner and milder in taste.
Enchilada vs Taco Sauce
Enchilada is a Mexican dish that consists of a corn or wheat flour tortilla rolled around in a filling with meat, potatoes, cheese, beans or vegetables and a savoury sauce. Taco sauce is a sauce used to eat tacos, and it is made with a tomato base, sugar, vinegar and dried spices. There are different variations.
Enchilada sauce smeared generously on Enchiladas, is a Mexican sauce that comes in different varieties. The different types of sauce differ in their ingredients. But the main ingredient is the chillies.
The soaked Enchilada in the sauce gives a mouth-watering experience of its colour and texture. It is ideally made thick with soupy consistency stuffed inside the enchilada and other ingredients.
As the name implies, Taco sauce is used to eat tacos. But the best part is taco sauce can be used to eat fries, nachos and the like.
Though the consistency is similar to that of Enchilada sauce, it is more preferred light as you eat along with Tacos. The best part is you can store the Taco sauce in the refrigerator for a longer period.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Enchilada | Taco Sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Enchilada Sauce is thick and always used the same way to give the savoury taste for the food items. | Taco sauce is as thick as Enchilada can be diluted by adding water or vegetable broth. |
| Level of Heat | Enchilada is considered hot when compared to Taco sauce. | Taco sauce has honey or sugar syrup added that makes it less hot than the Enchilada Sauce. |
| Primary Use | The sauce is used to eat Enchiladas. It is added to the ingredients that are stuffed in the Corn Tortilla. | Taco sauce is used to eat tacos, nachos, burritos and chips. |
| Main Ingredient | Green Chillies | Paprika |
| Additional Ingredient | Enchilada uses Tomato paste. | Taco Sauce uses Tomato sauce and not paste. |
What is Enchilada?
Enchilada is a Mexican dish made by stuffing a corn tortilla with vegetables or meat. Enchilada sauce is added to add a savoury taste to the dish. The enchilada sauce is made using the following ingredients.
- Tomato Paste
- Olive Oil
- Chilli Powder or Crushed Green Chilies
- Cumin
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Salt and Pepper
The ingredients are properly grounded and mixed with water or broth of vegetables or meat to add consistency to the sauce. The taste of the sauce largely depends on the chilli powder, while other ingredients add to the taste.
There are different types of Enchilada sauce available in Mexican cuisine. There is a slight change in the ingredients in each of them, but the usage of chillies is never restricted.
- The typical red sauce has tomato paste and other ingredients, as mentioned above.
- The green enchilada sauce uses green chillies, and no tomato paste is used while making this sauce.
- The white enchilada sauce is made by adding butter and cream.
The least spicy of the three is the third sauce. And that’s one of the reasons why it is a little Mexican and not completely Mexican savoury.
What is Taco Sauce?
Taco sauce is also a Mexican sauce used to eat along with Tacos. The sauce is equally good to eat with chips and burritos. The sauce is argued to be hot, but for the sugar syrup that is added.
Of course, you can customize the sauce as per your preference and avoid adding the sweetener.
However, the main ingredient that adds taste to the sauce is paprika. The ingredients used to make Taco sauce is
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Cayenne Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
The highly customizable sauce is preferred to be light while eating tacos. At the same time, you can customize it for the spice by adding Oregano to the sauce too.
Though there is a slight difference in taste between Enchilada and Taco sauce, the latter can be easily converted to Enchilada sauce without much effort.
The tomato base used in the taco sauce makes the difference. Here the sauce is used, and there are no other variations in taco sauce, unlike the Enchilada sauce.
Vinegar is also added to add spice to it, but it gives a tangy taste a few people may not like.
Main Differences Between Enchilada and Taco Sauce
- The main difference between Enchilada and Taco Sauce is the usage of spices. The Enchilada sauce uses chillies, while paprika and cayenne pepper is used in Taco sauce.
- Enchilada sauce uses Tomato paste in one of its varieties of sauce, while Taco sauce uses only tomato sauce.
- There are different types of enchilada sauce available, whereas there is only one type that exists
- The enchilada sauce is good to use along with enchiladas, but taco sauce can be used in burritos and chips.
- Enchilada sauce does not contain any sweetener, while Taco sauce has a small amount of sugar syrup or honey added to it.
- https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/44/4/284/188712/Microbial-Spoilage-of-Mexican-Style-Sauces
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214799315001393
Last Updated : 09 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The comparison table was a fantastic addition to this article. It succinctly presents the key differences between Enchilada and Taco sauce.
Absolutely, Patel. The comparison table made it easy to grasp the distinctions between the two sauces.
I found the summary table to be very helpful too, Patel. It’s a great resource for quick reference.
The comparison table was so helpful in summarizing the key differences between Enchilada and Taco sauce. I’ll be referring back to this article when I cook next time.
I completely agree, Zross. This article is a great resource for anyone interested in Mexican cuisine.
It’s great to see such a detailed comparison. This has been an insightful read.
I appreciate the thorough explanation of the ingredients and the methods of making both the Enchilada sauce and Taco sauce. This has truly deepened my knowledge of Mexican cuisine.
Absolutely, Darren. It’s fascinating to learn about the subtle differences between the two sauces.
I couldn’t agree more, Darren. This article has been informative and engaging.
The breakdown of the ingredients used to make Enchilada and Taco sauce was very helpful. I have a better appreciation for the flavors now.
I found the section on the main ingredients and additional ingredients quite informative. It’s amazing how these small differences create distinct flavors.
I couldn’t agree more, Kyoung. Understanding the primary ingredients helps in identifying the unique flavors of these sauces.
The detailed explanation of the different types of Enchilada sauce has deepened my understanding of Mexican cuisine. This was a fascinating read.
I found the article to be very educational. The descriptions of the distinct types of Enchilada sauces were particularly interesting.
I agree, Carter. I’ve learned a lot from this article about the nuances of Mexican sauces.
The explanation of the primary uses and consistency of Enchilada and Taco sauce was quite illuminating. I now have a better grasp of how these sauces complement different dishes.
I completely agree, Ward. Understanding the uses and consistencies of these sauces has really expanded my culinary knowledge.
I found the discussion about the uses of these sauces enlightening. I’m excited to experiment with them in my own cooking.
The description of the types of Enchilada sauce available in Mexican cuisine was enlightening. I’ve only ever known about the red sauce, so this was a great read.
I had the same experience, Patel. Learning about the green and white Enchilada sauces was a great addition to my knowledge.
I always thought Enchilada sauce and Taco sauce were similar, but this article has provided me with a deeper understanding of their differences. The comparison table was particularly helpful.
I agree, Lola. This article has shed light on the nuances of these sauces that I was previously unaware of.
I’m grateful for the comprehensive breakdown of the ingredients in both Enchilada and Taco sauces. This article has been incredibly informative.
The article’s comparison of Enchilada and Taco sauce was clear and concise. I appreciate the attention to detail in explaining the differences between these sauces.
I share the same sentiment, Rwhite. The clarity in the comparison made it easy to understand the unique characteristics of each sauce.