Homemade Salsa
This homemade salsa is a fresh, zesty blend of ripe tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime that bursts with bright flavor in every scoop. It comes together in minutes and tastes far livelier than anything from a jar, with the perfect balance of heat and tang. Serve it with tortilla chips or spooned over tacos and grilled meats for the family.
- ⏱ 10 min
- 📊 easy
- 🍽 Family
Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes
- 1/2 onion
- 1 jalapeno
- a handful cilantro
- 1 lime
Instructions
- Dice about 4 ripe tomatoes into small even pieces, removing the watery seeds if you prefer a thicker, less runny salsa, and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Finely chop half a small onion and rinse it briefly under cold water to soften its sharp bite, then add it to the bowl.
- Seed and finely mince 1 jalapeno, keeping some of the membrane if you want more heat, and stir it into the tomato mixture.
- Roughly chop a generous handful of fresh cilantro and add it along with 1 minced clove of garlic.
- Squeeze in the juice of one lime and season with salt to taste, then stir everything together gently.
- Taste and adjust the salt, lime, or heat as needed, then let the salsa sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature so the flavors develop before serving.
💡 Chef's tip
Let the finished salsa rest for at least 30 minutes before serving, because the resting time lets the raw onion mellow and the flavors meld together into a much more rounded, cohesive taste.
A quick pulse, not a full puree, keeps the salsa pleasantly chunky; over-blending turns it into a thin, foamy sauce.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 40 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Carbs: 9 g
- Fat: 0 g
