Homemade Salsa

Homemade salasa in gray bowl next to tortilla chips

Print Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Made with fresh tomatoes, this Restaurant Style Salsa comes together quickly with the help of a blender.

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings:

Calories: 17kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds fresh tomatoes about 4 average vine-ripened tomatoes
½ small Vidalia onion roughly chopped
1 jalapeno seeds removed and cut in half
2 garlic cloves
1 cup fresh cilantro stems removed
1 teaspoon salt
juice of one lime about ¼ cup fresh lime juice

Instructions

Remove Skin From Tomatoes (optional)

Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil.
Score the top of the tomatoes by cutting an "X" on the top of the tomato.
Drop tomatoes into boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove tomatoes with slotted spoon and place into an ice bath.
Once cool enough to handle, remove tomatoes from ice bath and peel off their skin.

Prepare Salsa

Cut tomatoes into quarters and gently squeeze out seeds over a bowl, sink, or garbage.
Place seeded, quartered tomatoes in blender. Add in peeled, lightly chopped onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
Hit pulse on the blender several times until the ingredients are just broken down. Alternatively, you can blend on medium speed just until ingredients are broken down, or a bit longer for a smoother consistency. Just be cautious to not puree the salsa, asyou want there to be some texture remaining.
Taste and adjust seasonings.
Serve salsa fresh, or refrigerate for 30-60 minutes for flavors to develop.

Video

Notes

Storage: Fresh salsa keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tomatoes: As to what type of tomatoes you use, I prefer Roma, Heirloom, or vine-ripened tomatoes for the best flavor. In place of fresh tomatoes, use one 28 ounces can of unsalted whole tomatoes, juices drained, but the flavor will not be as good.

Heat Level: Feel free to add in more or fewer jalapenos based on the level of spice you like in salsa. Use ½ jalapeno to 2 jalapenos depending on the level of spice you desire. And I recommend removing the seeds and ribs of the jalapeno, or you may have REALLY spicy salsa.

Onion: A sweet or Vidalia onion complimented the salsa best, but a red or yellow onion does work as well.

Feel free to omit the cilantro and/or garlic if desired.

You can also prepare homemade salsa using a food processor fitted with an s-blade.

Nutrition