By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on December 3, 2023 | Last Updated on March 13, 2024
Mexican cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors and delicious dishes, and one of the most popular among them is beef enchiladas. This classic dish consists of tortillas filled with a savory beef mixture and coated in a rich, flavorful enchilada sauce.
While there are many variations of this recipe, Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas stands out for its simplicity and bold flavors. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a mouth-watering dish that will please your family or guests.
In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making these delicious enchiladas and provide some tips to make them even more flavorful. So let’s get started and bring the taste of Mexico into your kitchen!
What is Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas?
Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas is a classic Mexican dish with a twist, created by the renowned British chef Jamie Oliver. This recipe uses simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.
The star of this dish is the savory beef filling, which is seasoned with garlic powder and black pepper for an added kick of flavor.
The tortillas are then rolled up tightly around the filling and smothered in a rich, tangy enchilada sauce before being baked to perfection. The result is a delicious, hearty meal that is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love this Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas?
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques, making it easy for even novice chefs to recreate.
- Bursting with Flavor: From the savory beef filling to the tangy enchilada sauce and melted cheese, every bite of this dish is packed with bold and delicious flavors.
- Versatile: While this recipe uses beef as the main protein, you can easily swap it out for ground turkey or chicken if desired. You can also customize the filling with additional ingredients like beans or veggies to suit your taste.
- Perfect for a Crowd: This dish is great for feeding a crowd, whether it’s a family dinner or a party. Simply double or triple the recipe as needed and bake in a larger dish to serve more people.
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Ingredients
- Lean beef: This dish calls for about 2 pounds of lean beef, but feel free to use ground turkey if you prefer.
- Onion: You can use minced or fresh onion in this recipe. If using a real onion, half a large chopped onion is usually enough.
- Garlic powder and black pepper: These seasonings add flavor to the dish. Use as much or as little as you prefer.
- Enchilada sauce: You will need at least a 19-ounce can of enchilada sauce. If using a smaller can, get two cans or use one larger can for a more moist dish. Ole El Paso brand is recommended.
- Black olives: Two small cans of sliced black olives are needed for this recipe.
- Tortillas: 8-10 taco-sized flour tortillas are used in this recipe.
- Shredded cheese: Use about 2-3 cups of your preferred shredded cheese. A Mexican or Colby/jack blend works well. Finely shredded cheese is recommended for a less greasy texture when melted.
- Optional: Green chilis (I don’t put these in, but they can add a little kick of flavor if desired.)
Directions
Step 1
Prepare the Filling
- In a large skillet, cook the beef (or turkey) over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Break up the chunks into small bits as it cook with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- When fully cooked, add in minced onion and garlic powder to taste, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until onions are soft.
- Remove the skillet from heat and drain any excess grease using a colander or paper towel.
- Add in the black olives, mixing until well combined.
Step 2
Fill and Roll the Tortillas
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Spoon about 1/4 cup of the prepared beef filling onto a tortilla, spreading it evenly down the center.
- Sprinkle cheese on top of the filling, about 2-3 tablespoons worth.
- Roll up the tortilla tightly around the filling.
- Place each rolled tortilla seam side down in your prepared baking dish until they are all filled and rolled.
Step 3
Coat and Bake the Enchiladas
- Once all the tortillas are filled and placed in your baking dish, pour enchilada sauce over them until they are well coated.
- Sprinkle any remaining cheese on top of the sauce-covered enchiladas.
- Optional: Add in green chilis on top of the cheese for an added layer of flavor.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
Step 4
Serve and Enjoy!
- Remove enchiladas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set and makes them easier to handle.
- Optional: Garnish with additional toppings like chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sour cream, or avocado slices for added freshness and flavor.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas!
Notes
- For an even quicker prep time, you can use pre-cooked beef or ground turkey instead of cooking it raw.
- If using corn tortillas, lightly fry them in oil before filling and rolling to prevent them from breaking apart.
- To make a more authentic Mexican dish, try using homemade enchilada sauce instead of canned.
Storage Tips
- These enchiladas can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place them on a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the enchiladas before baking. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To bake frozen enchiladas, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake according to instructions. Alternatively, you can add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from frozen.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
Here are some additional dishes and sides that pair well with Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas:
- Mexican-style rice
- Refried beans
- Corn or flour tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole
- A fresh green salad with a tangy dressing
What other substitute can I use in Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas?
If don’t have all the ingredients for this, here are some possible substitutes you can use:
- Ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
- Diced bell peppers and/or corn to add to the filling
- Red enchilada sauce instead of green
Jamie Oliver Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Equipment
- large skillet
- baking dish
Ingredients
- About 2 pounds of lean beef if it’s slightly more or less that’s OK. Using ground turkey is also OK
- Minced or fresh onion to taste if you use a real onion I usually use half a large onion, chopped
- Garlic powder to taste I usually just use a few wrist shakes
- Black pepper same amount as the garlic powder
- At least a 19-ounce can of enchilada sauce if you use a smaller can, get two cans. They also have a bigger size that you can also use if you want a more moist dish. We prefer Ole El Paso sauce
- 2 small cans of sliced black olives
- 8-10 taco-sized flour tortillas
- About 2-3 cups of shredded cheese I use a Mexican or a Colby/jack finely shredded blend. The finely shredded is less greasy when it melts.
- Optional: small can of green chilis I don’t put these in
Instructions
- Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat and cooking 2 pounds of lean beef (or turkey) until it is no longer pink. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up any large chunks of meat as it cooks, creating small, bite-sized pieces. Once fully cooked, add the minced onion and garlic powder to taste. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onions are softened.
- As the beef finishes cooking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Drain any excess grease from the meat using a colander or paper towel. Then, mix in the sliced black olives until well combined.
- To create the enchiladas, spoon about 1/4 cup of the prepared beef filling onto a tortilla, spreading it evenly down the center. Sprinkle about 2-3 tablespoons worth of cheese on top of the filling, then tightly roll up the tortilla around the filling. Place each rolled tortilla seam side down in your prepared baking dish.
- Once all tortillas have been filled and placed in the dish, pour the enchilada sauce over them until they are well coated. Sprinkle any remaining cheese on top, and if desired, add a layer of green chilis for an extra kick of flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top. Let the enchiladas cool for a few minutes before serving, garnishing with additional toppings as desired. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas!
Notes
- For an even quicker prep time, you can use pre-cooked beef or ground turkey instead of cooking it raw.
- If using corn tortillas, lightly fry them in oil before filling and rolling to prevent them from breaking apart.
- To make a more authentic Mexican dish, try using homemade enchilada sauce instead of canned.
FAQs
How spicy are these enchiladas?
These enchiladas have a mild level of spice, so they are suitable for those with a low tolerance for heat. However, you can add green chilis or hot sauce to increase the spiciness if desired.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and roll the enchiladas ahead of time. Just cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if they are cold when you put them in the oven.
Are corn tortillas gluten-free?
Yes, corn tortillas are typically made with only corn flour and water, making them gluten-free. However, always check the ingredients list to be sure.
Conclusion
Thank you for trying out Jamie Oliver’s Beef Enchiladas recipe! These enchiladas are a quick and easy meal option for busy weeknights, but they are also delicious enough to serve at a dinner party. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and toppings to make it your own.
Please share this article with your friends and family who may be looking for a new, tasty enchilada recipe. And don’t forget to leave a review and let us know how your enchiladas turned out!
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
