Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe

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Enjoy a burst of fresh flavor with my easy Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe! This delightful salsa roja combines ripe Roma tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro. Choose to roast them for an irresistible smoky taste. It's ready in just minutes!

fresh tomato salsa in a bowl with cilantro, sliced jalapenos, and tortilla chips

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Homemade Tomato Salsa Ingredients
How to Make Salsa
Homemade Salsa Recipe Tips
FAQ
What to Serve with Salsa
Tomato Salsa
Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe
Reviews

Homemade Tomato Salsa Ingredients

Tomatoes: Although I'm using ripe roma tomatoes for this tomato salsa recipe, you can use other varieties of tomato, like cocktail, cherry, or campari tomatoes. They should be soft and ripe and not too firm for the best flavor.
Onion: White, yellow, or red onion all work for fresh salsa, but keep in mind that red onion will add a more astringent flavor. I would recommend going with a sweeter onion, like yellow.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is necessary for an amazing salsa! You can also use smashed garlic. Just make sure it's fresh!
Jalapeno: Remove the seeds and adjust the amount to your preferred spice level. When removing the seeds, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly. Don't touch anything else while removing jalapeno seeds! You can leave out the jalapeno if you don't want any spice at all.
Cilantro: I know not everyone has a taste for cilantro, so this can be left out if you prefer no cilantro.
Lime: Fresh lime juice is necessary - and you can zest it, too, if you want a little extra lime. Don't use bottled lime juice.
Salt: Sea salt flakes work best, but kosher salt can be used too.
Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper works best.

ingredients to make tomato salsa in bowls

How to Make Salsa

Optional: Roast the tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Place them on a hot, dry skillet or directly over an open flame on your stovetop. Rotate until the skins are charred and blistered. Alternatively, broil in the oven for a few minutes until they blister.
In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped tomatoes, onion, minced garlic, roasted jalapeno (if used), and half the cilantro.
Pulse the ingredients a few times to reach your desired salsa consistency. Pulse less for chunkier salsa, more for smoother salsa.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Stir in lime juice and the remaining cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate the salsa for at least 30 minutes before serving. For best flavor, chill overnight.
Serve with tacos, tortilla chips, or any Mexican dish of your choice!

Roasting Tip: Over-roasting tomatoes and peppers can give them a bitter, burnt taste. Monitor closely while roasting so you don't over-roast!

Homemade Salsa Recipe Tips

Use fresh ingredients for the best homemade salsa. Fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes will always taste better and provide a better texture for salsa than canned tomatoes.
Roasting the tomatoes and jalapenos adds depth and smokiness to the salsa. If you want a richer flavor, don't skip this step!
Adjust the heat level by altering the amount of jalapeno included. Remember, the heat is mainly in the seeds and membranes of the pepper.
Wear gloves when chopping jalapeño peppers, and thoroughly wash your hands. Don't touch anything else with the contaminated gloves.
Alternatively, if you want no spice at all, substitute green bell peppers for the jalapenos. This will add a nice peppery flavor to the salsa without any spice.
Cilantro is optional. If you want a pop of green but don't like cilantro, you could use thinly sliced green onions or parsley.
Let the salsa sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting period allows flavors to meld together.

FAQ

What do I do if my tomato salsa is watery?

This can happen if tomatoes with high water content are used or if the salsa is over-blended. Roma tomatoes make the best tomatoes for salsa as they are very firm and blend well without becoming too watery. If your tomato salsa turns out too watery for your liking, you can either add more ingredients to thicken it, or use a pinch of cornstarch.

Can I use canned tomatoes for homemade tomato salsa?

Freshness of ingredients plays a crucial role. Using fresh, ripe tomatoes and herbs ensures a more vibrant flavor. I don't recommend using canned tomatoes for this dish.

What to Serve with Salsa

And the best combination of all: Air Fryer Tortilla Chips, Queso Blanco, and Chunky Guacamole!

Try my Zesty Peach Mango Salsa next!

Tomato Salsa

There's nothing quite like the zesty burst of flavor from a fresh tomato salsa, especially when it's homemade. My family and I always look forward to a big plate of tortilla chips with fresh tomato salsa and guacamole whenever we visit our favorite Mexican restaurant, so why not enjoy the same fresh salsa at home?

My easy fresh tomato salsa recipe captures the simplicity and freshness of ripe tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro. The best part of making your own homemade salsa is the freedom to adjust the heat and texture to your preference. Whether you like your salsa chunky or smooth, mild or spicy, you can make it just the way you want!

What really makes this homemade salsa recipe stand out is the optional step of roasting the tomatoes and jalapenos. It adds a smoky depth of flavor that elevates the salsa from ordinary to extraordinary - trust me! Try pairing this salsa with any of your favorite Mexican dishes, and I bet you'll want to make tomato salsa from scratch every time.