10 Healthy Ways to Use Salsa

Here are 10 healthy and delicious salsas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Bobby Flay's Fish Tacos with Habanero Salsa

Bobby_Flay_Fit_Fish_Tacos_With_Habanero_Salsa.tif

Bobby Flay's Fish Tacos with Habanero Salsa

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Chock-full of fresh ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, onion, fruit and herbs, salsa (Spanish for "sauce") can take on many healthy identities. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with these 10 flavorful recipes.

1. Fire Up Fish Tacos (pictured above)

A hint of habanero pepper gives this salsa a sizzling kick.  

Food Styling: Stephana Bottom

KK_12_0229_FNM_388.tif

Food Styling: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Kang Kim, Copyright Kang Kim 2012

2. Beautiful Breakfast or Delightful Dessert

Serve this chopped fruit medley on top of pancakes or over ice cream.

Recipe: Fruit Salsa
3. Pop of Pineapple

This Asian-inspired grilled pineapple salsa flavored with Chinese five-spice powder is a perfect topper for shrimp, chicken or pork chops.

Melissa-dArabian-Mediterranean-Pasta

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

4. Craveable Cruda

Toss this raw sauce made from tomatoes, olives, mint and garlic with freshly cooked pasta.

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm 
Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

FISH_TACO_016.tif

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

Photo by: Antonis Achilleos

Antonis Achilleos

5. Well-Balanced Watermelon

Juicy and sweet watermelon gives salsa an addictive crunch, especially when mixed with cilantro, lime and jalapeno.

Photo by: Alice Gao ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

6. Canned Concoction

Canned corn, chiles and olives combined with fresh tomatoes, onion and chile peppers make for an easy and affordable salsa. Serve with whole-grain chips or crackers.

Recipe: Corn Salsa
7. Four Fresh Ingredients

Tomato, jalapeno, lime and olive oil, blended until smooth, are ready for dunking quesadillas or pouring over nachos.

Recipe: Tomato Salsa
Food Network Kitchen's Baked Eggs with Salsa Verde as seen on Food Network

Food Network Kitchen's Baked Eggs with Salsa Verde as seen on Food Network

Photo by: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Stephen Johnson, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

 8.  Tummy-Pleasing Tomatillos

Tangy tomatillos offer up a bright green hue for this lip-smacking sauce.

9. Protein Packed

Beans offer protein, fiber and minerals — they can turn salsa into a satisfying side dish.

10. Go Green

Combine peppery arugula with briny capers, olive oil and red pepper for an emerald-colored salsa.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

Next Up

10 Savory Ways to Use Pumpkin This Fall

There's more to pumpkin than pie and lattes.

10 Bright Ways to Use a Bag of Candy Melts

Here's how to turn those colorful chocolate disks into cupcake toppers, cake pops and more.

3 Ways to Use Frozen Ravioli

Learn The Kitchen co-hosts' three ideas for putting frozen ravioli to work.

5 Delicious Ways to Use Paneer

Whether you buy it or make it at home, it’s great in everything from cakes to curries.

10 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes

Fall in love with sweet potatoes again and again with these 10 deliciously healthy recipes.

7 Savory Ways to Use Pumpkin Spice

There’s so much more to pumpkin pie spice blends than lattes and pies.

The Best Ways to Use Fresh Peaches

The sweet summer fruit can be so much more than just dessert.

10 Ways to Crimp Pie Crust

A step-by-step guide to rolling out, shaping and crimping pie dough.