Say goodbye to the jarred salsa that has no memorable flavor, and say hello to this easy and flavorful homemade salsa. Made with delicious, whole food ingredients, this salsa is mouthwateringly good and so simple to make!
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About this Homemade Salsa Recipe
Fresh, homemade salsa is my go-to appetizer during the summer time. With some fresh homemade tortilla chips, it’s literally like I’m sitting down to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant!
There are a million different salsa recipes out there, but so many of them taste the same. If you’re looking for a recipe that isn’t the same old “run of the mill” fresh tomato salsa, then you’re going to love this recipe!
Restaurant-style salsa don’t have to have a million ingredients in order to get that perfect depth of flavor. This quick recipe only uses seven ingredients and it’s so good that I always get asked for my recipe when guests try it out.
Don’t forget to whip up a batch of strawberry margaritas and homemade guacamole to pair with this spicy salsa! Summertime just got way more tasty and so much more fun!!
More salsa recipes: Fresh Peach Salsa • Cilantro Pineapple Salsa • Bloody Mary Salsa
Why you’ll love this recipe
What’s not to love about fresh tomato salsa:
- This quick recipe only takes 10 minutes to make. No more standing in the kitchen and prepping party food for hours on end!
- Salsa is a wonderful make-ahead appetizer. In fact, making salsa ahead of time and refrigerating it will give time for the flavors to meld and make it even tastier.
- Using fresh ingredients ensures that this salsa has no preservatives or additives, making it a much healthier snack option.
Tools & equipment
For this recipe, you only need a few basic kitchen items. Use either a high speed blender or a food processor to blend the ingredients! You’ll also need measuring cups and spoons, as well as a juice to squeeze fresh lime juice. And that’s it!
Ingredients
The best part about this easy homemade salsa recipe is the short ingredients list. I love to keep these ingredients on hand to make salsa whenever I get a craving:
- fire-roasted diced tomatoes, or chopped fresh tomatoes
- jalapeño
- white onion
- fresh cilantro
- lime juice
- garlic cloves
- salt, to taste
Substitutions & variations
More spices: Add extra depth of flavor with more spices and seasonings. Cumin, red pepper and paprika would all be tasty.
Onion: While I prefer the flavor of white onion in salsa, yellow onion and even red onion will also work.
Tomatoes: If you don’t want to use canned tomatoes and would rather use fresh, any type will work. From heirloom and beefsteak to fresh and juicy roma tomatoes! Add extra depth of flavor by charring or roasting them before making the salsa.
Heat level: This is a medium heat salsa. You can make it spicier by adding another jalapeño. Make it milder by scooping out the seeds of the jalapeño before blending. Feel free to change up to type of peppers you use. Serrano, habanero and cayenne are commonly used to make a more spicy salsa.
Instructions
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to make this easy salsa recipe in just 10 minutes:
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend on medium speed until the salsa is your desired texture. It can be as chunky or smooth as you like.
Serve the salsa with tortilla chips, or add to your favorite recipes that call for salsa.
Store in a food-safe, airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 1 week.
Tips and Tricks
These few tips will ensure that your salsa turns out as tasty as can be:
- Always use fresh lime juice for the best flavor! Bottled will work in a pinch, but fresh lime juice truly makes all the difference.
- You can blend until the salsa reaches desired consistency. I recommend stopping and stirring up the ingredients once or twice to ensure that everything get thoroughly blended.
- Chop your ingredients into large chunks before adding to the blender. This will ensure everything reaches the blades and gets blended well.
Food & drink pairings
Are there really any rules as to what you can pair with salsa? I think not! But a few of my favorite pairings are of course my taco night essentials and an ice cold margarita. This fresh salsa is a fabulous appetizer alongside other favorites like crispy chicken wings too.
Whether I’m making ground beef tacos or shredded chicken enchiladas for dinner, fresh salsa is always on the menu too. It’s also so good on top of totchos!
Of course, this is also a wonderful snack to go with drinks like a beerita, Texas margarita, or a frozen peach daiquiri too!
FAQ
The key ingredients in a good salsa are tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro, salt, jalapeño and lime juice. Of course, there are many different variations on this combination, but with these basic ingredients you can make a lovely and flavorful salsa!
Either will work! Both fresh tomatoes and canned can make wonderful salsa. Fire-roasted canned tomatoes give a really interesting depth of flavor to your salsa, but many people swear by using fresh tomatoes!
More Appetizer Recipes
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Homemade Salsa
ingredients
- 28.8 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes or chopped fresh tomatoes
- 1 jalapeño stem removed, keep seeds in, see note
- 1 white onion about 200g
- ¼ bunch fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend on medium speed until the salsa is your desired texture. It can be as chunky or smooth (restaurant-style) as you like.
- Serve with tortilla chips or add to your favorite recipes using salsa.
- Store in a food-safe, airtight container and enjoy within 1 week.
notes
recommended products
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