Description
Hearty Mexican beef enchiladas deliver a rich culinary experience from central Mexico. Spicy shredded beef, melted cheese, and zesty sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with authentic regional flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 shredded beef filling
- 2 dried ancho chiles
- 1 dried California chile (or guajillo chile for a spicier sauce)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup cooking liquid from the shredded beef filling
- ⅓ cup whole or 2% milk (88 mL/3 fl oz)
- ¼ tsp distilled white vinegar
- 1 ½ tsps vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Create delicate onion half-moons and prepare all components for efficient assembly of enchiladas.
- Tortilla Preparation: Warm corn tortillas on a comal or skillet until flexible, developing subtle charred edges that enhance traditional flavor profile.
- Sauce Coating: Immerse each tortilla briefly in enchilada sauce, ensuring complete and uniform crimson coverage that will infuse deep, rich flavors throughout the dish.
- Filling and Rolling: Center seasoned beef mixture along tortilla’s interior, then expertly roll into compact cylindrical shapes, tucking edges to secure filling and create uniform enchiladas.
- Baking Process: Arrange rolled enchiladas seam-side down in a preheated oven at 375°F, covering with additional enchilada sauce and allowing 15-20 minutes of baking to heat thoroughly and meld flavors.
- Final Garnishing: Generously sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese and freshly sliced white onions across the surface, creating a vibrant, textural topping that adds brightness and traditional Mexican character.
- Serving: Present immediately while enchiladas remain hot, allowing residual heat to slightly melt cheese and create an inviting, appetizing presentation that captures authentic culinary essence.
Notes
- Tortilla Temperature Trick: Warm corn tortillas gently to prevent cracking and enhance flexibility, ensuring smooth rolling without breakage.
- Sauce Coating Technique: Fully submerge tortillas in enchilada sauce with a quick dip, creating an even, flavorful exterior that prevents dryness.
- Filling Distribution Strategy: Center the beef filling precisely to maintain compact enchilada shape and ensure consistent flavor in every bite.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Serve enchiladas immediately after topping with cheese to achieve the perfect melty, creamy texture that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 mins
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg