Easy Salsa Recipe - Restaurant Style - Peas and Crayons Blog (2024)

This wicked easy salsa is quick, easy, and beyond delicious! You’ll never again rush to a restaurant or resort to a jar to get your fix now that you have this tasty recipe in your arsenal!

Easy Salsa Recipe - Restaurant Style - Peas and Crayons Blog (1)

I won’t eat jarred salsa.

No way. No how.

#salsasnob

It not only pales in comparison to the fresh stuff, but fresh salsa is so stinkin’ easy to make it would be a sin to waste my money on that sub par jar of meh.

If you’re debating whether or not to finally make your own at home…allow me to convince you!

Easy Salsa Recipe - Restaurant Style - Peas and Crayons Blog (2)

Ingredients Needed

  • 6Roma tomatoes(approx. 1.5 lbs)
  • ¼medium red onionor white onion
  • 1jalapeño pepper
  • 1-2clovesfresh garlic
  • 1tablespoonwhite vinegarand/or fresh squeezed lime juice
  • salt and fresh cilantro to taste

Wicked Easy Salsa

So how does this salsa situation go down? It’s easy!

You’ll want to either pick some tomatoes from your little backyard garden or pick some up at the grocery store/farmers market. This time of year we have loads of them awaiting all sorts of recipes.

You’ll also want to snag some red or white onion, a jalapeño pepper, fresh garlic, white vinegar and/or lime juice, and fresh cilantro. You’ll also need some salt for seasoning.

Wash tomatoes and place on a baking sheet.

Toss them in the oven

Set timer.

Remove from oven and toss in a food processor or blender w/ the rest of your goodies.

…and last but certainly not least…

Grab some crispy tortilla ships and get ready to shovel this deliciously easy salsa into your face!

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Homemade Salsa Tips and Tricks

This spectacular homemade salsa can be made mild, medium, spicy, and just about everything in between!

To make it medium (a little bit of spice but not too fiery), add a whole jalapeño and further fine tune the spice level by leaving out the seeds initially and then adding back in as many as you’d like as you taste test. Easy peasy!

Want to make it mild?

To make a mild salsa without heat, remove the seeds and ribs of the jalapeno before blending.

Want it SUPER mild? White onion has less flavor than red/purple and is a little blander for kids and sensitive taste-buds.

Want your salsa super spicy?

You know what to do! Add an extra jalapeño pepper or grab a habanero or serrano pepper even!

When it comes to choosing amounts of cilantro, onion, and pepper to add, start with a little of each and then taste and add as you go. The ratio in this recipe, to me, tastes exactly like the salsa my favorite Mexican restaurants serve.

It’s so good I’ve been making a fresh batch every week!

For thicker salsa, add the onion, pepper, garlic and cilantro to the food processor first, blend, then add the cooked tomatoes and pulse just a few times.

Here are the detailed instructions for those of you ready to get your salsa on:

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Restaurant-Style Easy Salsa

This wicked easy salsa is quick, easy, and beyond delicious! You'll never again rush to a restaurant or resort to a jar to get your fix now that you have this tasty recipe in your arsenal!

5 from 69 votes

Print RecipePin Recipe Rate Recipe

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: easy salsa, Homemade Salsa, Restaurant-Style Salsa

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Jenn Laughlin – Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

  • 6 Roma tomatoes (approx 1.5 lb)
  • ¼ medium red onion or white onion
  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 1 TBSP white vinegar or fresh squeezed lime juice
  • ½-1 tsp salt
  • fresh chopped cilantro to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to broil on high.

  • Line a baking sheet with foil and roast tomatoes, halved or whole, for 10-15 minutes on the center rack of the oven.

  • Don't be alarmed when the skin of the tomatoes peels back a bit during cooking; some will bubble, some may turn inside out, but its totally normal!

  • Once they're nice and toasty, remove from oven and allow your tomatoes to cool a bit.

  • Decide if you want mild, medium, or spicy salsa. For mild, use a spoon to scoop out the insides from the jalapenos (ribs + seeds) entirley. For medium, leave some of the seeds in tact. For spicy – leave all the goodies in your jalapenos (minus the stem of course) and feel free to add extra if you'd like!

  • Roughly chop your onion and jalapeño. Smash, peel, then mince garlic. Start with one clove as extra can always be added after.

  • Toss everything but the cilantro in the food processor and pulse a few times and blend to your favorite level of smoothness or chunkiness.

  • Once blended, add some finely chopped cilantro to taste.

  • Allow to cool to room temperature and dig in face first with some chips or veggies!

Notes

Feel free to serve with a side of fresh lime wedges to add burst of citrus to your salsa!

Recipe yields 1 heaping cup of salsa or approx. 4 quarter-cup servings.

Nutrition facts below are an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed! xo

Nutrition

Calories: 22kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Sodium: 295mg, Potassium: 230mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 815IU, Vitamin C: 17.7mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!

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Favorite uses for homemade salsa

As if you’ve ever doubted it, this it’s absolutely awesome onanything and everything!

Since the oven was already hot, I topped some chips with organic cheddar and some of my DIY fridge pickled jalapeño peppersand made some impromptu nachos to go with it.

It’s also amazing drizzled on top of my famousSheet Pan Nachos!

The next morning this restaurant style deliciousness went on my eggs and, as soon as I finish this post, the remainder is getting mixed into an avocado to make some loaded guacamole. Sometimes I make it pretty basic and other times I load it up with salsa, jalapeño, cilantro, and a little red onion along with my go-to guacamole seasoning blend.

There’s no right or wrong way to make salsa, and with tomatoes so deliciously in season right now, there’s no reason not to make at least one bowl this summer!

Or two.

Make two.

Three even.

More Sensational Salsa and Dip Recipes

  • Black Bean Salsa
  • Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
  • NEW! Avocado Corn Salsa
  • Pineapple Salsa
  • Spicy Salsa Verde
  • Fun + Fruity Strawberry Salsa
  • Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo

Can you tell I have a thing for dips? These are just a few as I probably have no less than 30 dip recipes on this little blog of mine. If you’re ever looking for something in particular, use the little search widget at the top of the page.

With vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, low carb, t-rex, and pescatarian options there is literally something for everyone!

Taco Night Favorites

  • Black Bean Taco Salad
  • Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
  • Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl
  • Baked Bell Pepper Tacos
  • Mexican Quinoa Salad with Chili Lime Dressing

If you get a chance to try this tasty recipe, let me know!

You can leave me a comment here (I absolutely LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!

Peas and Crayons is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to readers.

Easy Salsa Recipe - Restaurant Style - Peas and Crayons Blog (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between restaurant-style salsa and regular salsa? ›

Compared to regular ol' salsa or something like pico de gallo, restaurant-style salsa is usually smoother—just how I like it! It's blended up in a food processor so that all the pieces get minced really finely. This is no place for big chunks of tomatoes, man.

Why does Mexican restaurant salsa taste so good? ›

A unique blend of fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice contributes to the vibrant, lively taste of restaurant-style salsa.

What is the key to good salsa? ›

How to Make Fresh, Homemade Salsa & Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Don't Choose the Wrong Tomatoes. ...
  • Always De-Seed Your Tomatoes. ...
  • Do Let It Marinate. ...
  • Don't Forget the Acid. ...
  • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment. ...
  • Choose Your Chips Wisely. ...
  • Salt Yes, Pepper No. ...
  • Save the Dried Herbs for Your Soup.
May 22, 2018

Is it better to use fresh or canned tomatoes for salsa? ›

Fresh Roma tomatoes – use the nice and red ones, avoid anything soft. Canned tomatoes – I like to use canned in addition to fresh because it gives the salsa a better consistency. Fresh cilantro – cilantro adds key flavor, don't omit this!

Why is restaurant salsa better than store-bought? ›

Unlike jarred or canned salsa, restaurant salsa is essentially small-batch, freshly made salsa. These establishments have access to high-quality ingredients and equipment to streamline the salsa-making process and ensure a consistent product.

What kind of salsa do Mexican restaurants use? ›

In Mexico, it is known as salsa roja (red sauce)or salsa de mesa (table sauce). And just like in the U.S., it is served in every restaurant before your meal with tortilla chips.

What is the number 1 salsa brand in Mexico? ›

HERDEZ® Salsa is the No. 1 salsa brand in Mexico.

Do most Mexican restaurants make their own salsa? ›

Tortilla chips and salsa are common fare when dining out in a Mexican restaurant throughout the 50 states, and most restaurants pride themselves on serving up freshly made, spicy salsas that they make in-house to add to flautas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos and more.

Are red or yellow onions good in salsa? ›

If you find that a jalapeno is too spicy for you, you can use one green bell pepper instead, cut into 4 large strips. The great thing about homemade salsa is you can make it just how you like it! White onion – you can also use a yellow or red onion, but white onion is what is traditionally used to make salsa.

What can I add to salsa to make it better? ›

Roasted tomatoes, peppers, or garlic because roasting anything provides a smoky flavor that we love. Black garlic for a complex, kinda sweet-kinda sour, mildly garlicky but finger-lickin fantastic taste. Smoked salts for a fuller flavor. Corn niblets or diced avocado for added texture and a hint of savory flavor.

What are the best tomatoes for salsa? ›

Roma Tomatoes are a popular choice for salsa-making due to their dense and meaty texture, small number of seeds, and full-of-flavor tanginess. Variations of this tomato are sometimes called “plum” or “paste” tomatoes. Red Beefsteak Tomatoes are another favorite for those who favor a juicier tomato in their salsa.

What is the ratio of tomatoes to onions in salsa? ›

Start by using a 2:1 weight ratio on your Tomatoes VS. Onions for a properly balanced salsa. Don't worry, you don't have to weigh ingredients every time you want to make salsa. Just know that a typical plum tomato weighs approximately 100g (3.5oz), and a largish white onion will weigh 300g (10.5 oz.)

Should I peel tomatoes for salsa? ›

Peel Tomatoes (Optional).

Using peeled tomatoes will produce the most authentic texture that you find in restaurant-style salsa, but it is a personal preference.

Is it best to peel tomatoes for salsa? ›

Deciding on keeping tomato skins on or off is really a matter of taste — and how much time you've got on your hands. You don't need to peel them. After all, tomato skins are edible. However, if you're making a chunky salsa, leaving skins on is fine – as long as the texture doesn't bother you.

What tomatoes should not be canned? ›

Some growing conditions may cause the tomatoes to be unsafe to can even when the tomatoes look fine. Tomatoes with blight and those from dead or frost-killed vines may be lower in acidity and are more likely to carry bacteria.

What is restaurant-style salsa tostitos? ›

Diced Tomatoes in Tomato Juice, Water, Unpeeled Ground Tomatoes in Tomato Puree, Onions, Jalapeno Peppers, and Less than 2% of the Following: Salt, Garlic Powder, Vinegar Pectin, Sugar, Natural Flavors, Tomato Paste, and Spices (including cilantro).

Which salsa style is most popular? ›

LA-style salsa is probably the most popular form of salsa dancing in the world. It is the style of salsa that is taught most broadly, and most dancers of other styles of salsa dancing will have at least some familiarity with it.

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