5 minutes to make. This is the BEST (& easiest) Salsa recipe (2024)

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Get your straw at the ready because THIS is The BEST Salsa Recipe, ever! And it is so darn simple to make. We are talking like literally 5 minutes! If you love restaurant style salsa, this recipe is for YOU!

5 minutes to make. This is the BEST (& easiest) Salsa recipe (1)

Sure I love Pico de Gallo, and trust me when I say I eat it with a fork for lunch some days (just ask the employees of the Mexican stand at my farmers market, what I eat for lunch most Thursdays, lol), however this salsa??

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THIS easy Mexican restaurant salsa recipe is so good, I want to drink with a straw! I haven't...yet, however, I literally think about doing just that every time I make it, lol!

My friend Molly makes a killer salsa and after having hers a couple of times, I decided to make something similar. I started with a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes that I was staring at one day in my supermarket and took it from there.

I added some of this and some of that until I achievedthe taste that I crave.

You might think it odd to add honey to salsa, however, most people add sugar to their homemade tomato sauce (I know I used to). Sugar helps cut the acidity of tomatoes in homemade sauces and salsas. Tomatoes are a fruit. So sweetness is a part of what a perfect in-season tomato should taste like in my opinion.

Besides being delicious, The BEST Salsa Recipe is so, so easy to make, literally throw everything in your blender, Vitamix, Ninja or food processor and tah-dah!

All you need to do after that is taste and adjust the flavors to your preference for sweetness and/or heat and grab a straw...err I mean chip! It also makes a fantastic food or hostess gift!

Why canned tomatoes?

Quality canned tomatoes are picked at their peak and stay that way. If you can find fire-roasted tomatoes awesome (I like both Muir Glen and O'Organics fire-roasted tomatoes). Even if you don't use those this recipe will still be delicious. You can always use the bounty from your garden in place of canned that works as well!

How to make it

  • All you need are 5 minutes and a blender and of course the ingredients.
  • Gather a can of diced tomatoes (I like to use fire roasted), a jalapeno (or two if you enjoy heat), garlic, cilantro (or not if you hate it like my husband...You can swap it for parsley), honey, salt, pepper, cumin and of course tortilla chips!
  • Place all ingredients in your blender (not the tortillas of course) and give it a few whirls.
  • Taste and adjust to your preference.
  • Add red pepper (cayenne) for even more heat.

Can I make salsa without a blender?

Yes!! No blender, no problem. If you have a food processer you can use that. OR purchase fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and then mince your garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro as fine as you can with a knife. Add those and the rest of the ingredients together, whisk vigorously and there you have it!

What are the best tomatoes to use to make salsa?

  • For this style salsa, often referred to as restaurant-style salsa. I always say find cans of fire-roasted tomatoes. They have such a depth of flavor!They are TOTALLY worth the extra dollar or so spend.
  • Depending on how thick or thin you enjoy your salsa, choose from crushed, diced or whole to start with.
  • You can also roast your own tomatoes. Wait until they are cooled and chilled to begin recipe.

Tips for making the best salsa

  • Start with quality ingredients like good canned tomatoes (fire roasted is the most flavorful IMO), use fresh jalapeno, fresh garlic & fresh lime.
  • You can also choose to roast fresh tomatoes. If you do, allow them to cool completely and chill for at least an hour before using for best flavor.
  • For a thicker salsa, first pulse or blend just the cilantro/parsley, garlic and jalapeno alone. THEN add in the rest of the ingredients so you only pulse a few times.
  • Use diced tomatoes and drain off most of the liquid. YOu can save the liquid and add in after if you so choose.
  • Taste and adjust, you can always add in additional salt, honey or red pepper.
  • For a milder salsa, discard the seeds and inner membrane from the jalapeno. It's always a good idea to taste your jalapeno as well before using so you know hat type of heat it has from mild to super spicy.
  • To make a spicy salsa add in extra cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
  • For a smoky taste, smoke fresh (or canned) tomatoes, jalapeno and garlic before using.

Storage

Store salsa in mason jars. Keep refrigerated. Keeps well for up to a week.

This is one of those delicious yet easy recipes that you can let your kid(s) take the lead on. It's also in my cookbook for tweens and teens who enjoy cooking. 66 recipes that anyone at any age would enjoy and feel so proud of making.

When kids contribute to the family by way of preparing meals. They feel empowered, confident, learn so many lessons from planning to organization to follow through AND they get another notch on their belt in becoming a confident home cook! An all-around win!

Check out the book...Just click on the photo!

5 minutes to make. This is the BEST (& easiest) Salsa recipe (3)

Other recipes you may enjoy

My Make-Ahead frozen Chambord Margaritas gowell with this salsa. Keep these in your freezer until the mood strikes or someone pops over...Instant party!

If you are a Mexican food fan. This is dish incredible and different! My Mexican Street Corn Salad is a must-make!

If you enjoy Beef Enchiladasor White Chicken Enchiladas. I have a really good recipe for both AND they are 2 of my favorite recipes. They honestly are better tasting than just about every enchilada I have had out. I kept working at each recipe over the years till I got them right. I do hope you try one of these and enjoy!

5 minutes to make. This is the BEST (& easiest) Salsa recipe (5)

This really is the best salsa recipe! I always have to TRY and control myself when I make it. My teen daughter feels the same way, its her fav! Hope you love this easy homemade salsa recipe as much as I do (and all my friends and family!!)

Originally Published May 5, 2017, republished August, 2023.

5 minutes to make. This is the BEST (& easiest) Salsa recipe (6)

The BEST Salsa Recipe

Colleen Kennedy

Best Salsa recipe! Restaurant style salsa recipe, just 5 minutes to make,

4.73 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, mexican american

Servings 10 servings

Calories 34 kcal

Ingredients

  • 28 oz can(s) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1-2 jalapenos*
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup packed fresh Cilantro (if you dislike Cilantro substitute parsley)
  • 2 TBS fresh lime juice
  • 2 TBS honey
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • Cumin to taste*
  • cayenne pepper to taste, add more for extra heat
  • Chips

Instructions

  • Throw all ingredients in your blender, food processor, Vitamix or Ninja and pulse until all ingredients become smooth. Taste and adjust to your liking.

  • It's as simple as that!

  • *If you enjoy some heat in your salsa, leave some or all of the seeds and stems in from the jalapenos. If your jalapenos end up not being very spicy, add in a few shakes of cayenne or red pepper flakes.

  • Enjoy the taste of cumin? Add in a couple of pinches (it lends a smoky flavor) It really helps make this salsa have a depth of flavor

  • If you want this salsa sweeter, add more honey. Not sweet, don't add any honey. It is completely flexible and will work just about any way you make it.

  • I don't enjoy onion in this, however, if you do feel free to add in 2-3 TBS chopped red onion.

Notes

  • You can also use fresh tomatoes. It is a wonderful idea to roast them first. If you do, allow them to cool completely and chill for at least an hour before using for best flavor.
  • For a thicker salsa, first pulse or blend just the cilantro/parsley, garlic and jalapeno alone. THEN add in the rest of the ingredients so you only pulse a few times.
  • Use diced tomatoes and drain off most of the liquid. YOu can save the liquid and add in after if you so choose.
  • Taste and adjust, you can always add in additional salt, honey or red pepper.
  • For a milder salsa, discard the seeds and inner membrane from the jalapeno. It's always a good idea to taste your jalapeno as well before using so you know hat type of heat it has from mild to super spicy.
  • To make a spicy salsa add in extra jalapeno or add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Nutrition

Serving: 10servingsCalories: 34kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 123mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 403IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Best salsa recipe, blender salsa recipe, restaurant style salsa recipe

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5 minutes to make. This is the BEST (& easiest) Salsa recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best tomatoes for salsa? ›

Roma Tomatoes are a popular choice for salsa-making due to their dense and meaty texture, small number of seeds, and full-of-flavor tanginess. Variations of this tomato are sometimes called “plum” or “paste” tomatoes. Red Beefsteak Tomatoes are another favorite for those who favor a juicier tomato in their salsa.

What is the key to good salsa? ›

How to Make Fresh, Homemade Salsa & Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Don't Choose the Wrong Tomatoes. ...
  • Always De-Seed Your Tomatoes. ...
  • Do Let It Marinate. ...
  • Don't Forget the Acid. ...
  • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment. ...
  • Choose Your Chips Wisely. ...
  • Salt Yes, Pepper No. ...
  • Save the Dried Herbs for Your Soup.
May 22, 2018

What can I put in my salsa to make it taste better? ›

At the very least, a little fresh lime juice and some minced cilantro can wake up even the sleepiest of salsas, ushering back in the flavor of just-squeezed citrus and herbs that taste like they came from a living plant. Beyond that, a crunchy raw vegetable or two never hurts.

Is homemade salsa better than store-bought? ›

You'll save money by making your own salsa, especially if you can pull the vegetables from your own garden. It can be much cheaper to make salsa yourself, and homemade salsa is generally healthier than most of the sugary varieties you'll find in stores.

Should I use fresh or canned tomatoes for salsa? ›

I'm about to share with you one of the greatest restaurant hacks of all time: making homemade, restaurant-style salsa is not only easy, but inexpensive, and is best – BEST! – made with canned tomatoes.

Which onion for salsa? ›

White onion – you can also use a yellow or red onion, but white onion is what is traditionally used to make salsa. Fresh cilantro – I recommend cutting off any large, thick stems, but blending in some of the thin, smaller stems, along with the leaves is totally fine. Lime juice – fresh squeezed, always for this recipe!

Why add cumin to salsa? ›

Cumin – Its earthy flavor adds complexity to the zesty sauce. Sugar – Just a pinch! It really brings this recipe together, taming the sharp, acidic flavors of the other ingredients.

How do you thicken up salsa? ›

Fortunately, there's an easy way to thicken this kind of salsa to your exact liking: tomato paste. A tablespoon or two could be just what you need to tighten up your sauce but do keep in mind that not all salsas are the same.

Do you remove seeds from tomatoes when making salsa? ›

Our best tips for making homemade salsa with fresh tomatoes
  1. Core & seed your tomatoes. To make sure your salsa isn't too watery, I recommend coring and removing the seeds from your tomatoes before adding them to your food processor.
  2. Don't over-blend. ...
  3. Start low on the salt. ...
  4. Choose your spice.
Aug 6, 2023

Why does Mexican restaurant salsa taste better? ›

Unlike jarred or canned salsa, restaurant salsa is essentially small-batch, freshly made salsa. These establishments have access to high-quality ingredients and equipment to streamline the salsa-making process and ensure a consistent product.

Why do you put vinegar in salsa? ›

The acid ingredients in salsa help preserve it. You must add acid to canned salsa because the natural acidity may not be high enough. Commonly used acids are vinegar and bottled lemon juice. Lemon juice is more acidic than vinegar and has less effect on flavor.

Why is my homemade salsa bitter? ›

Onions and garlic are essential aromatics in salsa, adding depth and flavor. However, if not properly cooked, they can introduce bitterness. Sautéing onions and garlic until they are soft and translucent helps to mellow their flavors. Overcooking them can lead to a burnt flavor, which can be bitter.

Can you eat too much homemade salsa? ›

Limiting salsa intake to a few tablespoons per day is acceptable if the salsa is homemade and you have controlled the amount of salt and sugar. However, eating store-bought salsa every day would lead to the consumption of excessive amounts of sodium consumption. Too much sodium leads to hypertension and ulcer.

Is it better to make salsa in a blender or food processor? ›

For a smooth, restaurant-style salsa, use a blender. However, if you prefer chunkier salsa, the pulse button on food processors will allow you to gain increased control over your salsa texture by incrementally chopping or pureeing your ingredients.

Should I cook my homemade salsa? ›

Cook the salsa, and you'll trade bright, fresh flavors for something deeper, sweeter. Roasting the tomatoes, garlic and/or chiles creates rich, smoky flavors.

What kind of tomatoes do Mexican restaurants use? ›

Tomate roma or saladette are also known as a plum tomato. The tomate roma is small to medium in size with thin skin and less seeds than the beefsteak. Because of its thin skin and low water content, it is perfect for sauces in dishes like these enchiladas rojas, chilaquiles, and sopa de fideo.

What are the best tomatoes for saucing? ›

Though you could use any tomato, Roma and other paste tomatoes — with meaty texture with little to no seeds — are said to develop the best flavor when cooked down into a delicious sauce.

What tomato has the most flavor? ›

Heirloom tomatoes are very flavorful; Brandywine and Cherokee Purple are both heirloom beefsteak tomatoes lauded for their sweetness, juiciness and flavor. Because they're so flavorful, heirloom tomatoes lend themselves to a variety of raw dishes.

Can you use regular tomatoes instead of Roma for salsa? ›

Homemade Salsa Recipe Ingredients

If you can't find Roma tomatoes, another variety of small plum tomatoes would work too. Onion and garlic – For sharp depth of flavor! Rinse the onion before adding it to the food processor to mellow its pungent taste. Lime juice and zest – They make this recipe zesty and bright.

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