Is Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce Gluten Free? (Find Out Now!)

Is Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce Gluten Free

Enchilada sauce is essentially the Mexican version of marinara, it goes with everything and leaves your taste buds satisfied. Enchilada sauce offers a velvety texture that pairs well with fresh corn tortillas rolled with marinated meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Yes, Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce is considered gluten-free. Although some enchilada sauces contain wheat or malt for thickening, Old El Paso Enchilada sauce does not contain wheat or gluten. However, it’s not certified gluten-free. The best healthier gluten-free alternatives to Old Paso include Siete Red & Green Enchilada Sauce, Frontera Enchilada Sauce, and Fody Foods Low FODMAP Enchilada Sauce.

Although Old Paso Enchilada Sauce is gluten-free, it contains various additives and ingredients that should be consumed sparingly. In this article, we look at the ingredients and nutritional content of Old Paso Enchilada sauce. We also explore other gluten-free alternatives and provide healthier sauces and frozen enchilada options with our favorite Mexican sauce. Let’s dig in!

Contents

What is Enchilada Sauce?

Enchilada sauce is Mexican tomato sauce flavored with chili pepper, garlic, onion and oregano. Some enchilada sauces are thickened with flour, however Old Paso Enchilada Sauce is thickened with corn starch.

Is Enchilada Sauce Healthy?

While enchilada sauce is low in calories it contains almost 290 mg of sodium per serving. According to the American Heart Association, the body requires less than 500 mg of sodium per day. Typically enchilada sauce is served with enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, and tacos meaning you will most likely consume a high amount of sodium in one meal.

Enchilada Sauce Nutritional Information

Old El Paso Medium Red Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste)
Modified Corn Starch
Contains 2% or less of:
- Sugar
- Salt
- Chili Pepper
- Soybean Oil
- Vinegar
- Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
- Citric Acid
- Onion Powder
- Red Pepper
- Color Added
- Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

20 Calories
0 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
290 mg Sodium
4 g Total Carbohydrate
0 g Dietary Fiber
1 g Sugars
0 g Protein

Old El Paso Mild Red Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste)
Modified Corn Starch
Contains 2% or less of:
- Sugar
- Salt
- Chili Pepper
- Soybean Oil
- Vinegar
- Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
- Citric Acid
- Onion Powder
- Red Pepper
- Color Added
- Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

20 Calories
0 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
290 mg Sodium
4 g Total Carbohydrate
0 g Dietary Fiber
1 g Sugars
0 g Protein

Old El Paso Enchilada Green Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Green Chile Pepper Puree
Green Chiles
Modified Corn Starch
Soybean Oil
Contains 2% or less of:
- Sugar
- Salt
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Citric Acid
- Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Vinegar
- Spice
- Onion Powder
- Natural Flavor
- Garlic Powder
- Artificial Color
- Acetic Acid
- Calcium Chloride
- Yeast Extract

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

25 Calories
1.5 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
270 mg Sodium
3 g Total Carbohydrate
0 g Dietary Fiber
1 g Sugars
0 g Protein

Other Gluten-Free Enchilada Sauce Alternatives

Market Pantry Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Tomato Paste
Modified Food Starch
Contains less than 2%:
Citric Acid
Dried Red Chile Peppers
Garlic Powder
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Monosoidum
Glutamate
Natural Flavor
Onion Powder
Salt
Soybean Oil
Spices
Sugar
Yeast Extract

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

25 Calories
1 g Total Fat
330 mg Sodium
4 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Sugars
0 g Protein

Las Palmas Original Style Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Dried Red Chile Peppers
Salt
Cottonseed Oil
Cider Vinegar
Fumaric Acid
Garlic Powder
Spice
Olive Oil

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

15 Calories
0.5 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
370 mg Sodium
3 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
2 g Sugars
0 g Protein
.3 g Iron

Las Palmas Medium Red Chile Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Dried Red Chile Peppers
Salt, Cottonseed Oil
Cider Vinegar
Fumaric Acid
Garlic Powder
Spice
Olive Oil

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

15 Calories
0.5 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
370 mg Sodium
3 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
2 g Sugars
0 g Protein
.3 g Iron

Las Palmas Mild Green Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Green Chile Peppers
Modified Corn Starch
Soybean Oil
Salt
Sugar
Jalapeno Peppers
Monosodium Glutamate
Citric Acid
Maltodextrin
Yeast Extract
Distilled Vinegar
Onion Powder
Spices
Garlic Powder
Torula Yeast
Caramelized Sugar
Spice Extractive

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

15 Calories
0.5 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
370 mg Sodium
3 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
2 g Sugars
0 g Protein
.3 g Iron

Hatch Red Medium Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Water
Organic Tomato Paste
Organic Spices
Salt
Organic Cane Sugar
Organic Corn Starch
Organic Baker’s Yeast
Citric Acid
Organic Flavor
Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 60g):

20 Calories
0 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
350 mg Sodium
4 g Total Carbohydrate
0 g Dietary Fiber
2 g Sugars
1 g Protein
1 mg g Iron

Healthier Alternatives to Old Paso Enchilada Sauce

Old Paso Enchilada Sauce uses various additives that are not so health-friendly. Luckily, there are many products that offer enchilada sauces with fewer chemicals and additives. Don’t worry you can still enjoy your favorite Mexican dishes!

Siete Red Enchilada Sauce

Siete makes delicious traditional Mexican grain-free, gluten-free and non-GMO products like sauces, hot sauces, and tortillas. This traditional enchilada sauce is gluten-free, Paleo, Vegan, and made in the USA.

Ingredients:

Tomatoes
Water
Apple Cider Vinegar
Chile Powder
Avocado Oil
Sea Salt, Dates
Chia Seed
Flaxseed
Porcini Powder
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Cumin
Black Pepper
Oregano Powder

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 55g):

35 Calories
1 g Total Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
200 mg Sodium
5 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
3 g Total Sugars
1 g Protein
3 mg Calcium
44 mg Potassium

Siete Green Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Tomatillos
Green Bell Peppers
Onions
Water
Jalapeños
Apple Cider Vinegar
Garlic
Avocado Oil
Dates
Sea Salt
Chia Seed
Flaxseed
Black Pepper
Turmeric

Nutrition Facts (Per ¼ cup, 55g):

25 Calories
1.5 g Total Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
290 mg Sodium
4 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
2 g Total Sugars
0 g Protein
18 mg Calcium
40 mg Potassium

Fody Foods Low FODMAP Green Enchilada Sauce

Fody Foods Low FODMAP Enchilada Sauce is made with real ingredients. It is gluten-free, vegan, and made with no onion or garlic. Good for the gut!

Ingredients:

Tomatillos
Water
Anaheim Peppers
Distilled Vinegar
Avocado Oil
Arrowroot Powder
Organic Cumin
Himalayan Pink Salt
Organic Black Pepper
Organic Cilantro

Nutrition Facts (Per 2 tbsp, 30g):

15 Calories
1 g Total Fat
0 g Saturated Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
180 mg Sodium
0 g Total Carbohydrate
0 g Dietary Fiber
0 g Total Sugars
0 g Added Sugars
0 g Protein
10 g

Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce

Frontera offers non-GMO, gluten-free, preservative-free, and vegan enchilada sauces that will be the perfect company for burritos or enchiladas.

Ingredients:

Tomato (fresh tomato, roasted fresh tomato, tomato puree, calcium chloride, and citric acid)
Water
New Mexico Chile Pepper
Apple Cider Vinegar
Red Bell Pepper
Salt
Onion
Garlic
Evaporated Cane Juice
Spices
Xanthan Gum

Nutrition Facts (Per 2 tbsp, 30g):

10 Calories
0 g Total Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
210 mg Sodium
2 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
1 g Total Sugars
0 g Protein

Frontera Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

Tomatillos
Water
Poblano Chiles
Onion
Heavy Cream
Lime Juice from Concentrate
Cilantro
Garlic
Salt
Serrano Peppers
Evaporated Cane Juice
Xanthan Gum

Nutrition Facts (Per 2 tbsp, 30g):

10 Calories
0.5 g Total Fat
0 g Trans Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
190 mg Sodium
2 g Total Carbohydrate
1 g Dietary Fiber
1 g Total Sugars
0 g Protein

Healthy Prepared Frozen Enchilada Meals

For quick and healthy options with enchilada sauce, check out some of these brands that use gluten-free and real ingredients.

Cali’flour Chicken Enchilada Bake

Cali-flour products are always keto friendly, gluten-free, and made with simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

Tomatillos (Tomatillos, Citric Acid)
Cauliflower Crust (Cauliflower, Mozzarella [Whole Milk, Enzymes, Cheese Cultures, Salt]
Egg Whites)
Water
Fully Cooked Chicken White Meat Raised without added Antibiotics (White Chicken Meat, Water, Potato Starch, Salt)
Cooked Black Beans
Green Chiles
Monterey Jack Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
Onions
Contains 2% or less of:
Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto)
Arrowroot
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Green Onions
Jalapeno Peppers
Spices
Garlic
Lime Juice Concentrate
Dried Ancho Chiles
Sweet Smoked Paprika

Nutrition Facts (Per 1 serving, 255g):

290 Calories
16 g Total Fat
0 g Trans Fat
.60 mg Cholesterol
440 mg Sodium
17 g Total Carbohydrate
5 g Dietary Fiber
0 g Total Sugars
21 g Protein
350 mg Calcium
600 mg Potassium

Real Good Chicken Mini Enchiladas

Real Good makes gluten-free, low carb, and low sugar frozen prepared meals with real ingredients. These mini enchiladas are low carb and keto friendly, making your next dinner fast, easy, and healthy!

Ingredients:

Chicken Breast
Chicken Tortilla (chicken breast, parmesan, cheese, less than 2% of water, salt, sunflower oil, natural flavor)
Tomatillo Sauce (tomatillo, jalapeno, onion, salt, cilantro, xanthan gum, citric acid, garlic powder, soup base {salt, chicken fat, sunflower oil, onion, celery seed, spice})
Monterey Jack Cheese

Nutrition Facts (Per 2 enchiladas, 133g):

190 Calories
9 g Total Fat
0 g Trans Fat
75 mg Cholesterol
630 mg Sodium
4 g Total Carbohydrate
2 g Dietary Fiber
2g Total Sugars
20 g Protein
156 mg Calcium
470 mg Potassium

Final Thoughts

Enchilada sauce can be a healthy option when it uses real and fresh ingredients. However, we must be cautious when we buy prepared canned food as they have a lot of unnecessary additives and preservatives. Check out this gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly enchilada sauce recipe here if you want to make your own!

Related Questions

Is enchilada sauce vegan?

Yes, enchilada sauce is dairy-free and vegan.

Is enchilada sauce keto?

Store bought enchilada sauce typically has added sugars, preservatives, and sodium making it not so keto-friendly.

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Makena Marie is a plant-based Chef, recipe developer, food photographer, and freelance writer based on Maui, Hawaii. Makena believes in a whole food plant-based diet that focuses on local organic ingredients. Makena has a BA in International Relations and Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in food and agricultural studies. She believes that a healthy diet is connected to a healthy relationship with the environment and local farmers. She is passionate about traveling and exploring global food cultures, where she finds her inspiration to create beautiful healthy plant-based recipes. Makena ascribes to the famous Pythagoras quote, “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine by thy food."

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