I…love…Mexican food! When I’m given a restaurant choice, my go to is one of my favorite local Mexican restaurants, and I do have several that I love. But even if I love the entrees, if their chips and salsa don’t fit with my preferred criteria, it’s a no go for me. Dave makes a great Texas style salsa (more fresh, less acidic, more heat), but I tend to prefer something with a more rich tomato-y flavor. When my mom first made this homemade salsa for me — with canned tomatoes — I was sold. It’s the perfect app, the perfect party food, the perfect condiment to keep in the fridge, and the perfect summer dip for you chips and salsa lovers. And today, I’m sharing the simple homemade salsa recipe that only takes minutes to throw together.
*Posts on KelleyNan.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.
Source: Turkish Hand Towel
As part of my mindfulness mind set these days, we are limiting our “goings out to eat.” But that doesn’t mean we are limiting Mexican food from our weekly meals. We typically have tacos, enchiladas, nachos, and/or Mexican salads on our menu plan every week, with all of the embellishments.
Dave likes to make salsa every week with fresh tomatoes, onions and Serrano peppers. But I prefer the saucy restaurant-style salsa that I love to use as a dip or as a topping.
This is an easy to make homemade salsa recipe from Gran Nan’s kitchen that fits the bill to have on hand in the fridge, but is also tasty enough to serve at parties. It only requires four primary ingredients, plus spices that everyone should have on hand in their pantry. This recipe makes a bunch and lasts at least a week in the fridge.
Source: Turkish Hand Towel
What ingredients do you need to make homemade salsa?
- A can of whole tomatoes
- A small onion
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cilantro
- Minced garlic
- White vinegar
- Cumin
- Salt
Source: Turkish Hand Towel
What kitchen tools are needed to make homemade salsa?
- Food processor (a mini food processor will also work just fine)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Covered storage container
Ways to Use This Homemade Salsa
My favorite way to eat or serve this homemade salsa is with tortilla chips as a dip, of course! Our favorite tortilla chips are Tostitos, Cantina-Style (or On the Border cafe or thin chips), but I know you all have your preference.
As this easy to make homemade salsa is too good to go to waste, I always make sure we have a Tex Mex dish (or two!) added to our dinner plan for the week. I’m a big fan of one bowl dinners and a great Mexican-inspired bowl includes layering shredded lettuce and topping with a mixture of Mexican rice and black beans, shredded cheese and the salsa as a “dressing.” It’s delicious as a vegetarian dish, but grilled or shredded chicken or seasoned ground beef can easily be added if you crave the extra protein. I also love throwing this into a tortilla and eating it as a wrap. It’s also a great way to “shop the fridge” if you have leftover corn, olives, onions or chopped tomatoes.
Here are some other ways I use this salsa.
- Topping for baked potatoes (I also add sour cream and cheese.)
- Topping for Mexican rice
- Use as the “dressing” for a Mexican chicken or chili salad
- Mix with melted Velveeta cheese for the ultimate queso dip
- Mix with sour cream for a spicy crudite dip
- Topping for baked chicken
- Mix with cream cheese, spread on flour tortillas, roll up and slice
- Mix with cooked ground beef to create spicy meat mixture for beef tacos and beef enchiladas
- Mix with cooked shredded chicken to create spicy chicken mixture for chicken tacos and chicken enchiladas
- Topping for loaded nachos
- Topping for grilled steak
Source: Turkish Hand Towel
How Long Does This Homemade Salsa Last?
We love this homemade salsa so much, it typically doesn’t last in our house for more than several days before it is gone. And if you are serving it at a party or to family or friends, it is doubtful that you’ll have leftovers! But, if you have leftovers, it will last in the refrigerator for up to a week if you keep it in a covered container.
Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe
Find the recipe for the most delicious homemade salsa recipe below!
Homemade Salsa
This easy to make homemade salsa only requires four main ingredients plus spices any well-stocked pantry should have.
Ingredients
- 1 Can Whole Tomatoes Large can
- 1 Medium Onion
- 1 - 2 Jalapeno Peppers Jarred pickled jalapenos may be substituted
- 3 cloves Garlic, Minced 3 cubes of frozen garlic may be substituted
- 2 Tbsp White Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- Cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
-
Peel onion and cut into large chunks.
-
Slice jalapeno peppers vertically and remove stems, seeds and inner membrane. Cut each vertical slice in half.
-
Empty tomato can contents into food processor, including the tomato juice.
-
Add the onion and jalapeno pieces and the minced garlic to the food processor.
-
Pulse until the base salsa is of the desired consistency.
-
Pour the base salsa into a bowl and add the salt, cumin, and vinegar.
-
Mix until well incorporated.
-
Hand chop the cilantro, add to the salsa and stir to mix.
Recipe Notes
I like to taste this recipe as I go along. If you need a bit more zing, add more vinegar. If you need more heat, add more jalapeno. If you need more smoky flavor, add more cumin.
Source: Turkish Hand Towel
Homemade Salsa Gift Ideas
A jar or container of this homemade salsa is also a great gift idea. You can give it by itself or pair it with one or more of these additional items.
- Tortilla chips
- Shredded cheese
- Pretty serving bowl like this one or this one
- Wooden salsa spoon like this one or this one
- Mexican pottery pot
- Tequila
- Margarita mix
- Margarita glasses
I hope you’ll give this homemade salsa recipe a try… if you do, please let me know what you think!
Source: Turkish Hand Towel
Other Posts to Check Out
Pin for Later!
Shop My Kitchen Faves
Definitely trying this recipe. Sounds delicious and looks way easier than my usual go to salsa recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by, Laura! This salsa recipe is definitely easy and is sooo good. I hope you love it!
I just made your Salsa. I followed the exact recipe. WOW!! So good.
It’s my new FAVORITE way to make Salsa.
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Joy, I am so glad you tried the salsa and like the recipe. It’s so easy to make and I think the flavor is great. Thank you for taking the time to leave a note and for your input!
Hi Kelley, wonderful posts all week. Eliza! What can I say that has not been already said??? Almost 4, I wish she would stay just like she is! Thanks for the SALSA recipe, I’m ready. And thanks for the book review, just ordered that and getting ready to order the casserole dish with the lid. Hope everyone had/has a great birthday!
Thank you so much for your well wishes and for your kind note, Shelly! It’s crazy that Eliza is almost four…where did the time go? I hope you like the salsa and the book recommendation. They are both great and I would love to hear what you think! xoxo