Name: Homemade Salsa Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 28 oz. whole plum tomatoes, with the juice; 1 small white onion, peeled and roughly chopped; 1-2 jalapeño peppers, diced with seeds removed; 3 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 4-5 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed; 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar

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Introduction

This homemade salsa is fresh, flavorful, and easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect as a dip or a topping, it brings a zesty kick to any snack or meal. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and the vibrant taste it adds to your table.

A close-up image shows a white bowl full of chunky red salsa with small green herb pieces on top. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface and surrounded by many yellow corn tortilla chips. One yellow chip is dipped into the salsa, held by a woman's hand from the right side of the image. The texture of the salsa looks thick and slightly coarse, and the chips have a crisp, rough surface with small dark spots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

28 oz. whole plum tomatoes, with the juice
1 small white onion (peeled and roughly chopped)
1-2 jalapeño peppers (diced with seeds removed)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 Tablespoon lime juice
4-5 Tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves (stems removed)
1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Add all ingredients to a food processor, blender, or large pot/bowl if using an immersion blender.
Step 2: Pulse or blend until you reach your desired consistency, whether chunky or smooth.
Step 3: Refrigerate the salsa for at least 1 hour or overnight to let the flavors meld.
Step 4: Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy with homemade tortilla chips or loaded nachos.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, roast the tomatoes and jalapeños before blending.
Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños according to your spice preference.
Swap lime juice for lemon juice if you prefer a slightly different citrus note.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky twist.

Storage

Store the salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving. This salsa can also be frozen for up to 3 months but may lose some freshness after thawing. Reheat gently if desired, though it is best served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a white bowl filled with red salsa that has small green herb pieces sprinkled on top, surrounded by a layer of yellow tortilla chips placed inside a larger white bowl. A woman's hand is dipping a single yellow triangular tortilla chip into the salsa, creating a small splash effect in the sauce. The background shows a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?

Yes, canned whole or diced tomatoes work well and can save time, especially when fresh tomatoes aren’t in season.

How spicy is this salsa?

The heat depends on the number of jalapeños used and whether the seeds remain. Removing seeds reduces the spiciness, making it mild enough for most palates.