Garden Fresh Salsa

Homemade fresh salsa recipe is an easy 10-minute side dish that is filled with hearty tomatoes, red onions, spicy jalapenos, tangy lime juice, and cilantro! This no-cook salsa is the side to any meal.

What makes our easy salsa recipe the best is that we always use fresh ingredients instead of canned ones. So the result is every single time! Try this chunky salsa for dipping in chips, topping tacos, and more.

Trust us when we say you aren’t going to want to miss our fresh watermelon salsastrawberry salsa or mango salsa. They are all and easy to make too!

Why you will enjoy homemade salsa…

Here are some reasons why we love serving this easy salsa recipe! Give it a try!

• Only 7 ingredients!
• Made with fresh produce.
• The combination of spicy and tangy.
• An easy dish or appetizer for any time of year!
• A crowd favorite at potlucks, barbecues, and parties.

Tomatoes – we recommend using Roma tomatoes because they are sturdy and hold up well. They don’t become mushy as other varieties of tomatoes get.

Onion – our preference is red onion because it adds a pop of color and tastes great too. It’s also fine to go with a sweet onion instead.

Jalapenos – For spicier jalapenos look for peppers with slightly wrinkly skin and with fine lines on the outside. They tend to be much hotter!

Lime – Not only does a juiced lime add flavor, but it also keeps the ingredients nice and fresh!

Cilantro – You can’t swap the cilantro for anything but fresh. Dried cilantro doesn’t have that kick of flavor most people are looking for in good guacamole.

Salt & Pepper – Feel free to add more or less depending on how you like it!

Variations to Recipe

• Cucumbers – Chop up some cucumber pretty finely. It adds to the texture and tastes great too.
• Bell Peppers – Another tasty ingredient you can add to this salsa recipe is bell peppers.
• Charred Corn – If you are looking for a unique addition, go for some charred corn. It tastes fabulous and looks great too.
• Seasonings – Feel free to add any of your usual seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of cayenne pepper.

How to Make

Check out the full directions on how to make salsa in the printable recipe card below.

1. Chop the tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro.
2. Slice the lime in half.
3. Combine the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro in a bowl. Drizzle in lime juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips For Making Salsa

• Always choose ripe ingredients – Because this salsa is made with fresh vegetables, picking what is ripe is important to get the most flavor.
• Adjust the spiciness – If you like it extra hot, mix in more jalapenos or add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste.
• Don’t skip the lime juice – It helps balance the flavors of the tomatoes and onions. You can swap it for lemon juice if you are out of limes.
• Let the salsa rest – While you can serve it right away, allowing it to sit for an hour or so gives the flavors time to develop more.
• Chop Salsa – we made chunky salsa. You are welcome to add ingredients to a food processor and pulse lightly to make a smoother salsa if you prefer. The size of the ingredients does change the flavor.

Storing

In the fridge, keep the salsa in a sealed container for up to 3-5 days. Give the salsa a stir before you go and use it to ensure all the flavors incorporate.

Practical notes

Can you freeze salsa?

Yes, it’s fine to freeze homemade salsa! Place it in a freezer-safe container, only filling 2/3 full. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving. Be sure to stir well and enjoy! Just know the texture will be softer once it is thawed from being frozen.

Is it okay to use canned tomatoes?

While we prefer using fresh tomatoes, it’s fine to use canned. The flavor won’t be as bold, but it will still be good. Chop them up or buy petite diced canned tomatoes.

What do we serve with homemade salsa?

Serve with traditional tortilla chips, or add it to some eggs for a fun spin! It’s also excellent on tacos, stuffed in burritos, added to salads, or mixed into casseroles. Another great option is to serve it with salmon, grilled chicken, or a juicy steak.

Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Facebook Pinterest or our Facebook Group

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

• 5 Roma tomatoes
• ½ red onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• ¼ salt, or to taste
• ¼ black pepper, or to taste

Method

1. Dice your tomatoes into bite sized pieces and add to a large bowl.
2. Next you will finely dice the red onion, and toss in the bowl. Then add in some diced jalapeno pepper and chopped cilantro.
3. Squeeze in your lime juice and season well with salt and pepper. Mix well and then let refrigerate for 30 minutes or so. Then toss well and serve up with tortilla chips, top tacos, quesadillas, or more.

Kitchen notes

Texture – This is a very chunky salsa. You are more than welcome to add items to a food processor to make a smoother texture. Or you can chop it smaller for a different texture. Jalapeno – Leave some of the seeds for a spicy salsa. Or remove the seeds and the white membrane to create a mild salsa. Onion – If you don’t have red onion you can easily swap with a white or yellow onion. Salt and Pepper – Season with salt and pepper to taste. You also can use a salt substitute if you need.