Green Enchilada Sauce (tomatillo sauce)

Tangy tomatillo salsa verde sauce, that lovely green sauce that often tops chicken enchiladas. Chop, simmer, and blend. Super easy. I often double the recipe and freeze extra for future use. If you buy jarred sauce, time to try homemade salsa verde. And it's good for more than just enchiladas. See a list of 12 things to do with salsa verde at the end of the post.

Add chopped tomatillos, peppers, onion, garlic, and spices to a pan and simmer until the salsa is broken down and juicy, about 20 minutes. Pulse briefly in a blender, use right away or cool, refrigerate then freeze. That's it.

How long does enchiladas sauce last in the fridge? It's good for 4-5 days. If you're not gong to use it up, freeze it in jars labeled with the date and volume (like 8 ounces or 1 cup).

What are Tomatillos?

Technically a fruit, tomatillos look like little green tomatoes with a papery outer wrap. They have a tart, citrusy flavor and are generally available year round. When buying, peel back a bit of the paper and look for a smooth flesh and bright green color without black or shriveled areas. Wash tomatillos before using to remove the naturally sticky outer coating. Tomatillos look seedy when cut open, but don't try to seed them, just chop.

While green tomatillos are common at the market they come in colors of yellow, red and purple. For more information and nutrition on tomatillos try this article.

How to Work With Chili Peppers

Chili peppers add unique flavor and varying levels of heat. Anaheim chilies are long, thin and a bright shiny green with mild heat. Jalapeno peppers are smaller and usually a darker green with more heat but they are not crazy hot. The photo below shows an Anaheim pepper in my hand and jalapenos below in the produce bin.

If you are heat sensitive, start with half a jalapeno. Slice the jalapeno in half lengthwise and remove the white membrane and seeds. The membrane is where most of the heat is, not the seeds. Wearing disposable kitchen gloves when working with peppers is a good practice. If you don't, do not touch your eyes after working with them, even after washing your hands!

To Make Thicker Salsa

I've made this so many times as is but decided I wanted a thicker sauce, so now I use arrowroot starch to give it more body. Make it either way. Arrowroot is a grain-free thickener like cornstarch generally used as a 1:1 swap for cornstarch. Use arrowroot at the end of cooking and before boiling as continued heat reduces it's thickening power. Add a small amount of arrowroot to a little cool water and stir until smooth, then stir to your pan to prevent clumping.

Serving Suggestions

While this is the sauce delicious for topping chicken enchiladas, there are many other uses. Try tomatillo salsa verde with:

• With grilled or baked fish like cod or halibut, and salmon
• Serve it with shrimp and scallops (great for shrimp tacos)
• Make this easy Salsa Verde Chicken with boneless, skinless breasts
• Use it straight as a dip for raw veggies
• For a creamier dip (if you do dairy), try mixing it with sour cream
• Add a spoonful to top a bowl of chili
• Use it with Huevos Rancheros instead of the more traditional red enchilada sauce
• Pour it over poached or scrambled eggs for a lift of flavor
• Use it with any kind of tacos as the sauce
• Chips and salsa anyone? My great weakness
• Baked nachos with cheese
• Serve aside grilled flank steak

Dietary Notes

Tomatillos are in the nightshade family along with tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes. If you have nightshade sensitivities this salsa might best be avoided.

📖 Recipe