Description
This Best Homemade Salsa Ever recipe is a vibrant and flavorful fresh salsa made with whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, fresh jalapeño, onion, garlic, and cilantro. It’s a perfect easy-to-make dip or topping that bursts with balanced heat and zest, enhanced by lime juice and subtle spices. Ideal for chips, tacos, or as a condiment, this no-cook salsa combines freshness with a slight kick for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes with juice
- 2 cans (10 oz each) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 whole jalapeño, quartered and sliced thin
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (more to taste)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the whole tomatoes with their juice and add the Rotel diced tomatoes along with green chilies. This forms the salsa base packed with fresh tomato flavor and a hint of spice.
- Add aromatics and jalapeño: Mix in the chopped onion, minced garlic, and thinly sliced jalapeño pieces. These ingredients add sharpness, pungency, and the desired level of heat to the salsa.
- Season the mixture: Sprinkle the sugar, salt, and ground cumin over the mixture. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasoning and balance the acidity and spice.
- Fold in cilantro: Gently fold in the chopped cilantro, adjusting the quantity based on your taste preference. Cilantro adds a fresh herbaceous note that brightens the salsa.
- Add lime juice: Squeeze the juice of half a lime into the salsa and mix again. The lime juice adds zesty acidity that enhances overall flavor complexity.
- Taste and adjust: Sample the salsa to check seasoning balance. Add more lime juice, salt, or cilantro if preferred to perfectly suit your taste.
- Let flavors meld: Allow the salsa to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the ingredients blend harmoniously, deepening the flavor profile.
Notes
- For less heat, remove the jalapeño seeds before slicing.
- The salsa can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, flavors intensify over time.
- Serve with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled meats, or as a fresh condiment for Mexican dishes.
- Use fresh lime juice for best flavor; bottled lime juice can alter the taste.
- Chilling the salsa for an hour or more enhances the melding of flavors.
