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Easy Homemade Salsa

This easy, no cook, homemade salsa recipe is a hit anytime I make it! Perfect for game day, afternoon snacking, or adding to your favorite Mexican dishes. 5 minutes and lots of crispy tortilla chips are all you need!

bowl of homemade salsa with chips

Homemade Salsa

What is your favorite Mexican food? I could eat it all! And while I am trying to decide what to order at my favorite restaurant, they bring you the big bowl of chips and salsa. And you start eating…

I can make a meal out of chips and salsa. Which is obvious when my dinner comes and I am already full. So I have to take it home for later.

And as much salsa I eat, I started making it at home to cut down on cost. Even though I do love my leftovers the next morning.

What is it about the salsa you get at restaurants, that makes it so good?

Check out how to make traditional Mexican salsa at home with just a few ingredients and have it every day, and twice on Taco Tuesday.

Favorite Salsa Recipes

ingredients on a counter with labels

Ingredients Needed

Tomatoes – Canned San Marzano tomatoes are my favorite. You can also use fire roasted! If you want to use fresh tomatoes you certainly can. I recommend Roma tomatoes or vine ripe tomatoes.

Onion – I suggest to use white onion for this recipe. If you like red onions, feel free to use them. They are great in my authentic pico de gallo recipe.

Garlic – Whole garlic cloves are best as they will have a great flavor when processed.

Spices – Come use taco seasoning I just use cumin, salt, and pepper.

Jalapeno – This give it a little kick. If you want it spicier, try a habanero or serrano pepper.

Green chiles – Use the canned chopped green chilies or roast your own for a smoky flavor.

Lime – Lime juice is a given but you can always substitute white vinegar or lemon juice.

Cilantro – This is a must and gives the salsa that fresh flavor.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

How to Make this Homemade Salsa Recipe

First: Rough chop the onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse in the food processor until chopped small.

Second: Drain the tomatoes and add to the food processor along with the green chilies. Pulse until it starts to come together.

Third: Add the lime juice, salt, cumin, and vinegar. Pulse a few more times and remove to a serving bowl. Serve with tortilla chips!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

spoon scooping out restaurant style salsa

How long does it last?

Store your salsa in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to a week. Give it a quick stir before servings.

Can I freeze salsa?

Frozen, homemade salsa will keep up to six months in an airtight container freezer-safe container. If you freeze it, I wouldn’t chop the ingredients as small as they tend to break down a bit when frozen and then thawed.

hand holding tortilla chip with red salsa on it

Ways to Enjoy Homemade Salsa

I could just sit and eat salsa right out of the bowl with a spoon or tortilla chips. But there are so many other ways to use it.

Try it on scrambled eggs, taco or burrito bowls, walking tacos, quesadillas, taco salad, nachos, or top a walking taco casserole.

hand scooping out homemade salsa from a white bowl

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Using a food processor is best. You can chop it all by hand if you want it chunkier. You can also use a blender, just be careful not to overdo it.
  • Roughly chop the fresh ingredients into smaller pieces and process them first. If you add everything at once, the tomatoes will be liquid before the onion is chopped.
  • Feel free to use any kind of canned tomatoes that you prefer, and even try the fire-roasted ones!
  • Drain your diced tomatoes. Tomatoes are full of water so you want to drain the diced tomatoes before adding to the food processor or your salsa will be thin and watery.
  • Fresh Roma tomatoes are a great option if you have a bunch of fresh ones and prefer to use those instead.
  • Want spicy salsa? Add habanero or serrano peppers. Just be sure to remove the seeds or you might get it too spicy.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

collage of salsa pictures

The best restaurant style salsa recipe is quick and easy and ready in just minutes. With simple ingredients you get the best flavor.

homemade salsa in a bowl

Restaurant Style Salsa

This easy, no cook, restaurant and taqueria style salsa is a hit at any party! 5 minutes and lots of crispy tortilla chips are all you need!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dips and Spreads
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 1g
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 28 oz canned tomatoes San Marzano juice reserved
  • 1/2 medium white onion
  • 4 oz green chilies
  • 1 jalapeno seeded, ribbed
  • 1/4 tsp cumin optional
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • juice 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Gather your ingredients and get out your food processor.
  • Rough chop the onion, cilantro, garlic, and jalapeno.
  • Pulse in the food processor until chopped small.
  • Drain the tomatoes and add to the food processor.
  • Add the green chilies.
  • Pulse until it starts to come together.
  • Add the lime juice, salt, and cumin if desired.
  • Pulse one or two more times to combine.
  • Enjoy with chips!

Notes

  • Using a food processor is best! You can chop everything by hand, but that can be time consuming. Using a blender to make the salsa will chop the ingredients too small and make it more like a sauce.
  • Roughly chop the fresh ingredients into smaller pieces and process them first. If you add everything at once, the tomatoes will be liquid before the onion is chopped.
  • Feel free to use any kind of canned tomatoes that you prefer, and even try the fire-roasted ones! Mexican restaurants use those all the time and everyone always want more chips and salsa, right? Drain your diced tomatoes. Tomatoes are full of water so you want to drain the diced tomatoes before adding to the food processor or your salsa will be thin and watery.
  • Fresh Roma tomatoes are a great option if you have a bunch of fresh ones and prefer to use those instead.
  • Want spicy salsa? Add habanero or serrano peppers. Just be sure to remove the seeds or you might get it too spicy.
  • Great on a taco salad!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 30kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 114mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g

{Originally published 02/18/20 – photos and recipe notes updated 05/29/24}

©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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4 Comments

  1. This was delicious!!! Easy and so yummy. My kids have decided this is a new staple-not a bad way to get veggies!

5 from 1 vote

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