Mesa Red Sauce Recipe

Elevate your Mexican cooking with this authentic Mesa Red Sauce, the vibrant base for countless dishes! Perfect for quesadillas, enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and more. This recipe, adapted from the Rebar Modern Food Cookbook, delivers rich, complex flavor in just 50 minutes. Get ready to experience the true taste of Mexico!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Calories 67.1 kcal

Protein 2g

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104

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Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Mesa Red Sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Onion
Garlic Cloves
1/2 cup masa harina
Dried Ancho Chile Powder
Cumin
Cayenne Pepper
Salt to taste
Cracked Pepper
Oregano
Vegetable Stock
1 (28 ounce) can tomato paste
Brown Sugar

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How to Make Mesa Red Sauce

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add 1 medium onion, chopped, and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes).
Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 3 minutes.
Sprinkle in 1/2 cup masa harina, stirring constantly until it cooks and turns golden brown (about 3-5 minutes).
Add 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste). Stir for 2 minutes.
Slowly whisk in 2 cups warm vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer, whisk in 1 (28 ounce) can of tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Simmer partially covered for 30 minutes, stirring regularly. Season with salt to taste.
Serve over your favorite Mexican dishes and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

16 g

Sugar

Fat

Carbs

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Cuisine Preparation North American Sauces Condiments Etc Mexican Easy Vegetarian Dietary 3 Steps Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Mesa Red Sauce?

Mesa Red Sauce takes about 60 minutes from start to finish — roughly 10 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Mesa Red Sauce?

Mesa Red Sauce has approximately 67.1 calories per serving, with about 2 g protein, 2 g carbohydrates and 6 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Mesa Red Sauce?

The key ingredients for Mesa Red Sauce are Vegetable Oil, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Masa Harina, Dried Ancho Chile Powder, Cumin. See the full list with measurements above.