Fresh Homemade Salsa Recipe
Homemade salsa is a game-changer. This easy salsa recipe is loaded with fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeno for a little kick, and it comes together quickly in a blender or food processor.
This restaurant-style salsa only requires a handful of fresh ingredients. Whether you need a topping for Taco Salad or Breakfast Tacos, or just want to munch on some tortilla chips with salsa, you’ll love this fresh salsa recipe.
![This easy homemade salsa recipe is a game-changer. It's loaded with fresh tomatoes and comes together fast in a blender or food processor. Fresh homemade salsa recipe served in a bowl garnished with cilantro](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fresh-Homemade-Salsa-4.jpg)
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Homemade Salsa
This salsa reminds me of the appetizer salsas at restaurants that always have me wishing they’d just bring a bigger bowl! It’s actually really easy to make a restaurant-style salsa – it comes together in minutes and it keeps well in the refrigerator.
The fresh tomatoes make the salsa taste vibrant and fresh while adding canned diced tomatoes gives it a great depth of flavor just like the irresistible salsa appetizers that are served at Mexican restaurants.
- Flavor: The perfect salsa is a little spicy, tangy, and savory. If you prefer a spicy salsa, you can adjust the level of spice to your liking by simply adding more jalapenos.
- Texture: A nice, restaurant-quality table salsa is fine in texture. Unlike chunky Pico de Gallo, you want this salsa to come out a bit saucier. This is why using a blender or food processor is an absolute must. This makes it perfect for chip dipping or smothering over a burrito, taco, or some grilled meat.
- Quick: All you have to do is toss your ingredients into the food processor and let your salsa marinate for a couple of hours before serving. Once the flavors meld, it tastes even better.
![Homemade salsa is a game changer. This super easy recipe will have you wondering why you ever purchased store bought varieties. Ingredients for fresh salsa with tomatoes, cilantro, onion, lime, jalapeno](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fresh-Homemade-Salsa.jpg)
How to Make Homemade Salsa
In just two simple steps, you’ll have a homemade salsa that is perfect for any occasion. Follow the simple steps below and you’ll be dipping in no time.
- Blend – Place ingredients into a food processor or blender. Pulse in two-second bursts, or until all the ingredients are chopped and combined.
- Rest – Place in the refrigerator to marinate for a couple of hours or overnight.
Pro Tip: Do not over-blend your salsa. If you pulse it too much, it will turn into soup. You still want it to maintain some texture. Just a couple of pulses in a food processor will do the trick.
![Homemade salsa is a game changer. This super easy recipe will have you wondering why you ever purchased store bought varieties. How to blend Salsa ingredients in a food processor](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fresh-Homemade-Salsa-7.jpg)
Tips for the Best Homemade Salsa
Even though making this salsa is simple, but here are some tips to ensure your fresh salsa turns out perfect every time:
- Adjust the spice – Use as many or as few jalapenos as you prefer. Note: Jalapenos with vertical lines on the outside indicate that the peppers have been aging for some time. The more lines, the spicier they are.
- Don’t over-blend – Only blend the salsa just until it’s incorporated. You want a nice, fine texture where you can still see all the colors of the ingredients (see the picture above for reference).
- Let the salsa rest – Letting your salsa marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator will yield the best flavors. Don’t skip this step!
- Pick the right canned tomatoes – Petite diced is the best cut for this recipe. Also, take note if you are using a can with seasoning or added salt, you will need to add salt to taste.
![This easy homemade salsa recipe is a game-changer. It's loaded with fresh tomatoes and comes together fast in a blender or food processor. Homemade Salsa in a bowl](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fresh-Homemade-Salsa-5.jpg)
To Serve
Homemade salsa is so versatile and isn’t just an appetizer. The possibilities for serving are endless, but here are some of our favorite ways to serve homemade salsa:
![This easy restaurant-style salsa recipe is a game-changer. Fresh homemade salsa is perfect for taco night or munching with tortilla chips. Fresh salsa served on an appetizer platter with tortilla chips](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fresh-Homemade-Salsa-3.jpg)
Common Questions
This salsa is not intended for canning since it isn’t a ‘cooked’ salsa, nor does it have the correct proportion of acid for canning so we do not recommend canning this salsa. If you are looking for a salsa that keeps longer, our favorite is Roasted Salsa which tastes just like fresh once it’s thawed.
If you omit the canned tomatoes, you will essentially have a Pico de Gallo, which has a different flavor profile.
You can safely keep homemade salsa for up to a week in the refrigerator. See storage tips below.
Storing Fresh Homemade Salsa
- Refrigerating: Pour your salsa into an airtight container or Mason Jar and pop it in the refrigerator for up to a week. The longer the salsa marinates in the refrigerator, the better it tastes.
- Freezing: Fresh tomato salsa does not freeze well because it has fresh vegetables which can turn mushy and watery when thawed. If you’re looking for a freezer-friendly salsa, try our Roasted Tomato Salsa.
Pro Tip: Airtight storage containers keep food fresh longer and look so organized in your fridge.
![Homemade salsa is a game changer. This super easy recipe will have you wondering why you ever purchased store bought varieties. Fresh salsa in a storage container](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fresh-Homemade-Salsa-6.jpg)
More Salsa Recipes
These salsa recipes are some of our favorite summer appetizers and they are a great way to use up garden-grown vegetables and even fruit.
Fresh Homemade Salsa Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
![homemade salsa served restaurant style in a bowl](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Homemade-Salsa-400x400.jpg)
This easy restaurant-style salsa recipe is a game-changer. Fresh homemade salsa is perfect for taco night or munching with tortilla chips.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: fresh salsa, homemade salsa, salsa recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $5-$8
Calories: 21
Servings: 12 servings
- 1 lb Roma tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 12 oz canned petite diced tomatoes, with their juice
- 1/2 cup white onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, roughly chopped, seeded
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 Tbsp lime juice, from 1/2 fresh lime
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp salt, adjust to taste
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Place all of the ingredients into a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse in 2 second bursts until all ingredients are chopped and combined. Note: Don’t over blend your salsa. You want a fine texture, but not a puree.
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Leave salsa covered and refrigerated for a couple of hours before you are ready to serve. This will bring all the flavors together.
Nutrition Facts
Fresh Homemade Salsa Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 21 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 429mg19%
Potassium 196mg6%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 446IU9%
Vitamin C 10mg12%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.