When you need a quick dip for your chip, you can’t go wrong with making an easy homemade salsa. With fresh produce and the right equipment, you can whip up a batch of fresh salsa in no time.
Homemade salsa is one of the Mexican food appetizers to make. All you need is 10 minutes, a food processor, and a few simple ingredients. Let’s dive in!
Why Make Homemade Salsa?
There are plenty of reasons to make homemade salsa. First, it’s a great place to start if you’re easing into the world of cooking.
Second, it’s a great activity for you and your family, especially if you make the most out of taco Tuesdays. In addition, you can customize the tastes and textures yourself.
Best yet, you can make as little or as much as you want. Whether you need a quick appetizer or a delicious side for your main course, homemade salsa is always good to have on deck.
Learning to cook and serve meals at home can feel like running a restaurant. For more appetizers, check out the best restaurant appetizers to make from the comfort of your own kitchen. You can do this without worrying about the hassle of restaurant expenses.
One of The Best Homemade Salsa Recipes
Salsa comes in many flavors. Whether you like sweet, spicy, or roasted flavors, there are endless options to choose from when it comes to making homemade salsa.
There are a lot of standardized recipes out there to choose from. But we’ve got a great recipe for easy homemade salsa below to keep it simple. But if you’d like to try out different flavors, don’t be afraid to add in other ingredients tailored to your taste buds.
How to Make Homemade Salsa
The best part about making salsa yourself is that you’re in control of the taste and the texture. If you want it to be smooth and creamy, process your ingredients longer. If you like chunky salsa, pulse the ingredients in your food processor gently until you have your desired texture.
Who says your easy homemade salsa can’t be a combination of smooth and chunky? Pulse half your ingredients in the food processor until smooth and move that into your serving bowl. Next, add in the other half of your chopped and diced ingredients to find the best balance.
Remember that salsa can get a little messy. Be sure to throw on an apron along with your chef’s hat once you start tossing your tomatoes together. Before you begin, also grab a clean cutting board, a sharp chopping knife, and a food processor.
Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make your homemade salsa:
- 4 large plum tomatoes (diced)
- ¼ cup white onion (chopped)
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 2 tsp jalapeños (minced)
- 1 ½ tsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
Now that you’ve got your ingredients together, it’s time to make your salsa!
Step 1. Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by chopping, mincing, and dicing the ingredients listed above as directed. Put the onion, jalapeño, and garlic into your food processor and pulse lightly.
Step 2. Toss in The Tomatoes
Add your chopped tomatoes to the food processor. Pulse lightly to help break down the tomatoes and release enough juices to create a nice consistency.
Step 3. Season Your Salsa
Last, but certainly not least, add in the cilantro, lime juice, honey, and salt to season your salsa. Consider adding small amounts of each ingredient to start.
Step 4. Time to Blend
Continue pulsing all your ingredients together until you reach your desired consistency. Be sure to taste your salsa and add more lime juice, salt, and honey if needed. If you’re looking for more spice, throw in some jalapeño seeds.
Congrats–you did it! To make your salsa look even more appetizing, top it with some cilantro leaves, chopped tomato, or a lime wedge. Easy homemade salsa is the best. If you’re satisfied with your salsa, but want to experiment with sweeter flavors, consider adding fruit like strawberries, pineapple, or mango (chopped).
Craving a creamier consistency? Don’t be afraid to experiment with a creamy avocado salsa that you can use for anything from burritos and tacos to salad dressing.
Quick Tips for Your Homemade Salsa Recipe
- Types of tomatoes: The type of tomato you use for your homemade salsa is important. For a quick and easy salsa, use canned tomatoes. If you want to use fresh tomatoes, San Marzano and Roma tomatoes are great choices. For salsa verde, be sure to use tomatillos (green tomatoes).
- Roast your tomatoes: Want an extra boost of flavor? Roast your tomatoes in the oven before tossing them in your food processor.
- Go easy with the lime juice: Lime juice can overpower the other flavors of your salsa if you add too much. Start with a small amount and adjust for taste.
- Adding honey: The honey in this homemade salsa recipe is optional. However, it helps cut the acidic flavors of the tomato and adds a subtly sweet and smooth touch.
- Thickening a thin salsa: Is your salsa too thin or watery from the tomato or lime juice? Simply strain out some excess liquid.
- Pulse the processor: To control the texture of your salsa, pulse your processor gently to acquire the consistency you want. You can use a blender to make salsa, but be careful about over-blending it.
Can I Store Homemade Salsa?
Now that your salsa is ready to serve, make sure to enjoy every bite knowing you made it from scratch. If you made more than expected, you’re in luck! Homemade salsa is easy to make, and even easier to store.
Homemade salsa remains fresh for about five days if you store it in the fridge. To preserve your salsa for even longer, you can store it in the freezer for up to four months for optimal flavor and freshness.
When you run out of your salsa, all you have to do is make another batch. But what’s another batch of salsa without some homemade tortilla chips and a delicious cocktail? Learn how to make homemade tortilla chips and become your own at-home bartender by making one of the most popular cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to make your own salsa?
Making homemade salsa is a less expensive option than buying store-bought salsa, especially if you grow your own vegetables. In addition, homemade salsa is often healthier than what you can find in the store.
Do you peel tomatoes for salsa?
There is no need to peel the tomatoes for your homemade salsa. However, some tomato skins can taste bitter if you roast them before blending them. In that case, you may want to peel them.
How long does homemade salsa last?
Your homemade salsa can keep fresh in the fridge for up to 5 to 7 days. If you want it to last longer, you can store it in the freezer for up to 4 months.