RECIPE CARD: Fresh Salsa Recipe (Printable)

5 from 1 vote

RECIPE CARD: Fresh Salsa Recipe (Printable)

Fresh Garden Salsa is a vibrant, chunky salsa made with ripe tomatoes, crisp peppers, fresh cilantro, garlic, and lime juice. It's ready in just 15 minutes and tastes even better after a short rest, making it perfect for tortilla chips, tacos, burrito bowls, grilled meats, and more.

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer, sauce, side dishes

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Fresh Garden Salsa

Servings: Servings

Calories: 36kcal

Author: Tikare

Ingredients

3 cups fresh tomatoes (about 9 medium Roma tomatoes), roughly chopped
1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup red onion, chopped
1 jalapeño, diced
½ cup cilantro, loosely packed
2 Tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: Quarter the tomatoes, chop the green bell pepper and red onion into large pieces, and finely dice the jalapeño. Peel and mince the garlic.
Blend the Salsa: Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, sugar, and cayenne pepper to a large food processor. Pulse several times until the salsa reaches your preferred consistency. Pulse less for a chunky salsa or a little longer for a smoother texture.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add a little more salt, lime juice, or cayenne pepper to suit your preference.
Chill and Serve: Place the salsa in a bowl or airtight container and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Resting allows the vegetables to release their juices and gives the flavors time to meld for a fresher, more balanced salsa.

Notes

Roma tomatoes produce the thickest salsa because they contain less water than most slicing tomatoes.
Pulse instead of blending continuously to keep the salsa chunky.
Chill for at least 20 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Doneness Cues

Your salsa is ready when:

The vegetables are evenly chopped without becoming a puree.
The salsa is juicy but not watery.
Fresh tomato, lime, cilantro, and garlic flavors are balanced.
The salsa easily scoops onto a tortilla chip without running off.
The vegetables stay slightly crisp, and the flavors are well blended.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. The salsa will remain safe to eat, although the vegetables may soften after thawing.
Make Ahead: Prepare up to 24 hours in advance. The flavor often improves after several hours in the refrigerator as the ingredients have more time to blend.

Nutrition