Quick and Easy Salsa Recipe

Make quick and easy homemade salsa with this simple recipe, perfect for dipping or topping your favorite dishes. This fresh salsa combines fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers for a bold, authentic flavor. Customize the spice level to make it mild, medium, or hot! Ideal for Mexican-inspired meals, tacos, chips, or as a flavorful topping for salads and grilled meats. Ready in minutes, this healthy, restaurant-style salsa is perfect for parties, meal prep, or as a low-calorie snack that’s packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 oz each) fire-roasted tomatoes, or 4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (about 1¾ pounds)
• ⅓ cup chopped white or sweet onion
• 2 medium cloves garlic
• 1–2 medium jalapeño or serrano peppers (adjust to preferred spice level)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1–2 medium limes
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste

Directions

1. Drain Tomatoes: Place chopped tomatoes in a colander over a large bowl to drain. Reserve the drained juice for thinning the salsa if needed or adding flavor to other dishes.
2. Prepare Onion: Cover the chopped onion with cold water in a medium bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse.
3. Prepare Peppers: Adjust pepper preparation based on spice preference. For mild salsa, remove the white membrane and seeds; for medium, keep some; and for hot, leave all membrane and seeds intact. Use 1–2 peppers according to heat preference.
4. Process Garlic: Add garlic to a blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
5. Combine Ingredients: Scrape down the sides of the blender or processor, then add drained tomatoes, rinsed onions, prepared peppers, cilantro, ¼ teaspoon salt, and the juice from half a lime.
6. Blend Salsa: Pulse until you reach your preferred texture. Taste, and add additional salt or lime juice as desired (typically, about ¾ teaspoon salt in total). If too thick, add a bit of the reserved tomato juice.
7. Chill for Best Flavor: For optimal flavor, refrigerate the salsa for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled. Enjoy!