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Home » Recipes » Dips, Sauces, & Spreads

Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa

Apr 14, 2022 · 15 Comments

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Collage of a closeup of homemade salsa with fresh cilantro on top on top and a side angle photo of the same salsa on bottom with the words "Best authentic Restaurant Salsa" in the middle

Make your own Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa in just 5 minutes that's more delicious than your favorite Mexican joint. You won't be able to stop eating it!

Fresh homemade salsa in a bowl topped with fresh cilantro surrounded by tortilla chips sitting on a colorful linen

Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa

We are very picky about salsa at our house.  So picky, in fact, that we have yet to find a single salsa at the store that we love as much as the salsa at authentic Mexican restaurants.  So I decided to take it upon myself to conjure up a homemade restaurant style salsa recipe to cure our salsa craving when we can't make it out to a restaurant.

This homemade Restaurant Style Salsa is packed with bright flavors like tangy tomatoes, spicy jalapenos, zesty onions and garlic, and fresh cilantro. It is bold and flavorful and not watered down at all.

I love to put it on EVERYTHING! Chips, eggs, burgers, tacos,... you name it. It's so good you won't want to stop eating it!

And that's how salsa SHOULD be.

This recipe makes a LARGE batch.  It will feed a large crowd, probably with some leftover.  

If you can't get all of the ingredients to fit in your food processor at once, you can process in batches, and then stir it together in a large bowl at the end.  

And if you don't have a food processor, you need one. And not just for salsa. Trust me, you'll love it.  They're incredibly useful in the kitchen, and a very inexpensive appliance.  Here's the one we have for just $30, and we've had it for three years, and still going strong!.

Why Don't You Use Fresh Tomatoes?

There's this misconception that you need fresh, ripe tomatoes to make amazing salsa, but I'm here to tell you that it's not necessary.  

In fact, it's often actually way better to use canned, as their tomatoes are always ripe and juicy, whereas if you buy a fresh tomato out of season, you're likely to get a disappointing, watery one.

If you're worried about ingredients in canned tomatoes, just look for an organic, low sodium variety, which typically don't have any unnecessary ingredients added.

Can I Use Fresh Tomatoes?

If you have a surplus of tomatoes from your garden or you're just dying to try it with fresh instead of canned, you definitely can.

I recommend using plum or Roma tomatoes because they have a rich, sweet, vibrant flavor.

Substitute one pound of tomatoes instead of the canned tomatoes and canned tomatoes and green chiles. You will also want to add an additional can of green chiles (4 ounces), or an extra jalapeno to get back that pepper flavor and heat.

Coarsely chop the tomatoes before adding them to the processor with the rest of the ingredients.

Horizontal image fresh homemade salsa in a bowl topped with fresh cilantro surrounded by tortilla chips sitting on a colorful linen

Can You Freeze Homemade Salsa?

The short answer is yes.

The longer answer is that freezing will keep the flavor of the salsa, but will alter the texture to be a bit more watery. If you're going to freeze salsa, consider using it for cooking purposes only, like these Crockpot Chicken Tacos.

Or you can boil the salsa to get rid of the liquids, while concentrating the flavor.

Bring your salsa to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring often. Allow to cool for an hour before transferring to a freezer container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and stir before serving.

How to Adjust the Heat Level

Some like it hot, and some like it not! Either way is okay, and here's how you can adjust this recipe to your precise heat level.

  1. Always taste your jalapenos! Sometimes they're just hotter than others. Especially from the grocery store, you just never know what you're going to get. So do a simple taste test in order to determine how many you want to add.
  2. Remove jalapeno seeds, if you want a milder flavor. The seeds are the hottest part. If you like your salsa really REALLY hot, you can leave them in. Take out most for a "medium" salsa, or all for a mild salsa. I typically take them all out because seeds can be just as unpredictable as the peppers themselves, and I don't want to make an entire batch inedible.
  3. Change the heat level of the canned tomatoes and green chiles. Rotel comes in hot, mild, and original. I usually use hot Rotel to increase the heat level, and their heat level is more consistent and predictable than fresh jalapenos.

More Homemade Mexican Recipes You'll Love

  • Authentic Guacamole - creamy, authentic, and super easy to make. It's packed with flavor thanks to a simple cooking trick.
  • Refried Black Beans - so creamy and rich! Way better than from a can!
  • Chipotle Barbacoa - just like your favorite restaurant. Make it in the slow cooker!
  • Homemade Tortilla Chips - because homemade is always better! Perfectly crisp and salted.
  • Easy Skirt Steak Fajitas - possibly my all-time favorite Mexican food, and so easy to make at home.
  • Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice - a simple recipe just like the restaurant! Great as a side or to whip up some burrito bowls.
Fresh homemade salsa in a bowl topped with fresh cilantro surrounded by tortilla chips sitting on a colorful linen

Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa

Make your own Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa in just 5 minutes that's more delicious than your favorite Mexican joint. You won't be able to stop eating it!
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Restaurant Salsa, Restaurant Style Salsa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 17kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes undrained
  • 1 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes and green chiles undrained
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped onion
  • 2 jalapenos sliced with seeds and membrane removed
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • Juice from half a lime (about 1.5 tablespoons)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a large food processor, and pulse until the salsa has reached your desired consistency.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe is naturally gluten and dairy free.
  • Chill your salsa for at least an hour or overnight before digging in. This allows the flavors to marry for a cohesive, extra tasty dip.
  • To make it chunkier: pulse onions, garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro in the processor first. Then add the tomatoes and pulse to reach desired consistency. This will break down the tomatoes less.
  • Don't add water to this recipe. It is unnecessary and will just dilute the flavor.
  • Serve cold with tortilla chips or as a topping on your favorite Mexican dish, salad, burger, or whatever your heart desires.
  • Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. I store mine in a quart-sized mason jar.
  • Freezer Directions: Bring your salsa to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring often. Allow to cool for an hour before transferring to a freezer container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and stir before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 17kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.8g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 174.7mg | Potassium: 112.2mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 7.3mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in April 2016. It was updated with more helpful tips, new pictures, and a video and republished in June 2020.

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Appetizers, Dairy Free, Dips, Sauces, & Spreads, Freezer Meals, Gluten Free, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian Appetizer Recipe, Dip Recipe, Mexican Recipe, Restaurant Style Salsa Recipe, Salsa Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    April 10, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    This sounds delicious! The only thing I like better than salsa is great guacamole!! Thanks for sharing with us on Thursday Favorite Things.
    Cheers,
    Jennifer

    Reply
  2. Jill says

    June 20, 2020 at 11:21 am

    I'm not sure why but I've never made homemade salsa. I'll try your recipe.

    Reply
  3. Andrea Metlika says

    June 20, 2020 at 11:44 am

    Quick, easy and perfect for any time. Love this!

    Reply
  4. Kushigalu says

    June 20, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    Homemade salsa is the best. I will try your version soon. So delicious.

    Reply
  5. Cookilicious says

    June 20, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    I make this all the time. Thank you for this recipe.

    Reply
  6. Jamie says

    June 20, 2020 at 1:35 pm

    I made this the night before and served it this afternoon and the flavors were spot on! I love the idea of chilling this overnight to let the flavors combine. Delicious!

    Reply
  7. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    July 08, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    I've always used fresh tomatoes for salsa, but you're so right -- I've been disappointed more than once with their ripeness and flavor. Canned from now on!

    Reply
  8. Patty at Spoonabilities says

    July 08, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    I will never buy store-bought salsa again! This is the best salsa recipe ever!

    Reply
  9. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    July 08, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    I love that this takes such a short amount of time and sounds so delicious! I have been eating a lot of salsa recently so definitely need to give your one a go!

    Reply
  10. Shashi says

    July 08, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    I cannot wait to try this salsa recipe out - restaurant style salsa is my fav!

    Reply
  11. Nart at Cooking with Nart says

    July 08, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    Your salsa looks perfect. I want it with some chips now!

    Reply
  12. Dannii says

    July 14, 2020 at 2:47 am

    You can't beat homemade salsa. You can make it exactly how you want that way.

    Reply
  13. Kushigalu says

    July 14, 2020 at 2:55 am

    Love Mexican food. Love how simple and delicious this salsa is. Pinned

    Reply
  14. Alexandra says

    July 14, 2020 at 3:03 am

    Absolutely delicious - so simple to prepare! Love the use of canned tomatoes, and will make this again.

    Reply
  15. veenaazmanov says

    July 14, 2020 at 9:03 am

    This is so very easy to make and definitely yummy to eat too. Nothing like Homemade. Safe and delicious specially during these lock down days.

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Michelle!
I'm a comfort food lover and self-taught cook with five amazing kids and a firefighter husband, surviving mostly on coffee. I love to create easy and delicious family recipes, and share creative family tips I've learned along the way.
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