Savory Turkey Enchiladas with Ancho Chili Sauce
Dive into a delightful culinary experience with these Savory Turkey Enchiladas, featuring a rich, homemade ancho chili sauce and tender shredded turkey. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this one-dish meal is filled with vibrant flavors and topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs. Each bite offers a balance of spiciness and creaminess, satisfying even the pickiest eaters. Ideal for meal prepping, this recipe serves six and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy with your favorite sides or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
N/A
Servings
483
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
turkey meat
4 cups (cooked, shredded (mix of white and dark))
ancho chilies
3 pods (dried)
apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup (none)
kosher salt
2 teaspoons (none)
diced tomatoes with garlic onions and chilies
4 ounces (canned (homemade or store-bought))
garlic cloves
2 (fresh, minced)
chopped cilantro
3/4 cup (fresh)
chopped green onion
3/4 cup (fresh)
Mexican white cheese
1 cup (crumbled)
medium flour tortillas
1 package (20 count) (none)
Mexican blend cheese
8 ounces (shredded)
sour cream
1 container (8 ounces) (none)
green enchilada sauce
1 can (28 ounces) (store-bought)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a small saucepan, submerge the dried ancho chili pods in water with 1 tsp of kosher salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer for 30 minutes. Once cooked, allow them to cool until safe to handle; then remove the stems and transfer them (seeds intact, if desired) to a blender.
3
Add 8 ounces of diced tomatoes (with garlic, onions, and chilies), garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, and the remaining 1 tsp of kosher salt to the blender. Blend on high until completely liquefied and smooth. Set the sauce aside.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded turkey, ½ cup chopped green onions, and ½ cup chopped cilantro. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated.
5
Add the prepared ancho chili sauce and crumbled Mexican white cheese to the turkey mixture, stirring gently until evenly combined.
6
Lightly coat the bottom and sides of two 9x13-inch baking pans with cooking spray. Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp dish towel and microwaving for 30 to 45 seconds to make them pliable.
7
Stuff each tortilla with approximately three slightly rounded tablespoons of the turkey filling. Arrange the filled tortillas snugly in the pans, ensuring they touch for optimal baking.
8
Dot the tops of the enchiladas with sour cream using a teaspoon, then spread the sour cream to create an even layer.
9
Pour the green enchilada sauce over the enchiladas until it reaches halfway up, making sure to drizzle some on top of each one.
10
Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the enchiladas, followed by the remaining chopped green onions, cilantro, and slices of black olives.
11
Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Timing may vary, so check frequently for the best results.
12
Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro if desired. Enjoy your delicious turkey enchiladas with a side of rice or a fresh salad!
Nutrition Information
28g
Fat
30g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Turkey Enchiladas with Ancho Chili Sauce?
These are flavor-packed enchiladas made with shredded turkey, a homemade ancho chili sauce, and a blend of Mexican cheeses, all baked to perfection.
What ingredients are in the homemade ancho chili sauce?
The sauce is made from dried ancho chili pods, canned diced tomatoes with garlic and onions, garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, and kosher salt.
Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes, while the recipe specifies shredded turkey meat, you can easily substitute it with an equal amount of cooked shredded chicken.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 483 calories.
How many tortillas does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for one package containing 20 medium-sized flour tortillas.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How do I prepare the dried ancho chilies?
Submerge the pods in salted water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes before removing the stems and blending.
How long do the turkey enchiladas need to bake?
Bake them for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
What type of cheese is used inside the filling?
One cup of crumbled Mexican white cheese is mixed directly into the turkey and sauce filling.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese for the topping.
How do I make the flour tortillas easier to roll?
Wrap them in a damp dish towel and microwave them for 30 to 45 seconds to make them pliable.
What size baking pans are needed?
You will need two 9x13-inch baking pans for this recipe.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 25 grams of protein.
How much fat is in this dish?
There are 28 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 30 grams of carbohydrates.
Can I include the seeds from the ancho chilies?
Yes, you can include the seeds in the blender if you prefer a spicier sauce, or remove them for a milder flavor.
What kind of vinegar is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar for the chili sauce.
What should I serve with turkey enchiladas?
They are delicious served with a side of rice, a fresh green salad, or extra cilantro for garnish.
How much filling goes into each tortilla?
Each tortilla should be stuffed with approximately three slightly rounded tablespoons of the turkey mixture.
How is the sour cream used in the recipe?
The sour cream is dotted onto the tops of the assembled enchiladas and spread into an even layer before adding the green sauce.
Is the green enchilada sauce homemade?
The recipe specifies using one 28-ounce can of store-bought green enchilada sauce.
What fresh herbs are needed?
The recipe uses fresh chopped cilantro and chopped green onions.
Are there olives in this recipe?
Yes, sliced black olives are sprinkled over the top of the enchiladas before baking.
How many people does this recipe serve?
The recipe is designed to serve six people.
Can I use frozen turkey?
Yes, as long as the turkey is cooked and shredded before you begin the assembly process.
Do I need to grease the baking pans?
Yes, lightly coat the bottom and sides of the pans with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is an ideal one-dish meal for meal prepping and serves as a crowd-pleaser for gatherings.
What kind of tomatoes should I use for the sauce?
Use 4 ounces of canned diced tomatoes that include garlic, onions, and chilies.
How do I arrange the enchiladas in the pan?
Arrange the filled tortillas snugly in the pans so that they are touching for optimal baking.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
While the recipe calls for flour tortillas, you can substitute corn tortillas if you prefer that traditional flavor profile.