20 Salsa Recipes for Dipping, Scooping or Eating by the Spoonful
Skip the jarred stuff and go homemade with options for every palate: smoky, savory, spicy—and even fruity!
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Photo By: Christopher Testani
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Jason Clairy ©Clairy Productions Inc.
Photo By: Stephen Murello ©Stephen Murello
Photo By: Christopher Testani
Our Best Homemade Salsa Ideas
Salsa is the Spanish word for 'sauce' so it’s not surprising that there are lots of variations on the dish, each one as tasty as the next. Whether you opt for a salsa roja with dried chiles for taco night, a tomatillo-based salsa verde for Game Day snacking, a fresh-and-fruity salsa for your cookout or something else, each and every one of these recipes is perfect for adding extra flavor to your meals—or as a dip alongside guacamole and tortilla chips! Wondering where to start? We reccomend Iron Chef Jose Garces salsa roja. It tastes even better when you let it sit in the refirgerator overnight so it's the perfect choice when you need a make-ahead snack or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Roja
Grilled Tomatillo Salsa
Fire up the grill for a salsa packed with tomatillo, onion and cilantro and a shot of chipotle chile. The extra step may seem daunting but when you taste the flavor in this salsa, you’ll agree that it’s completely worth the effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tomatillo Salsa
Corn Blender Salsa
This chunky salsa is great with more than just chips. Use it as a topper for baked or grilled fish. In summer, you can sub in fresh corn kernels cut straight from the cob.
Get the Recipe: Corn Blender Salsa
Mango-Habanero Salsa
This sweet-and-spicy salsa combines mangoes, habaneros, fresh cilantro and lime. It’s one of our go-to recipes during the summer because it’s ready in a flash and tastes great on tacos, grilled chicken and shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Mango-Habanero Salsa
Roasted Pepper Blender Salsa
Jarred roasted red peppers lend a smoky sweetness to this silky puree that's as good with chips as it is folded into eggs or drizzled over roasted potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Pepper Blender Salsa
Avocado and Pineapple Salsa
The fresh flavor of guacamole meets tangy pineapple in this easy-to-make dip. This salsa is great with corn chip but if you’re looking for a fun twist, try plantain chips instead.
Get the Recipe: Avocado and Pineapple Salsa
Blender Salsa Verde
Fresh and tart, this easy salsa is the perfect accompaniment to frosty margaritas and cold beer. Plus, it makes a great relish for grilled chicken and pork.
Get the Recipe: Blender Salsa Verde
Roasted Tomato Salsa (Salsa Asada)
Marcela’s easy salsa uses only a handful of ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes. Her secret to great flavor? She quickly roasts the veggies in a cast-iron skillet for a bit of smoky char.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Salsa (Salsa Asada)
Mango Blender Salsa
Juicy mangoes and jalapeno make this spicy-sweet dip a refreshing alternative to ho-hum tomato varieties. Serve it with sturdy corn chips, or use it as a relish for hot dogs and sausage.
Get the Recipe: Mango Blender Salsa
Salsa Verde: Green Tomatillo Salsa
We love how Chef Rick Bayless keeps things simple with this fresh tomatillo salsa. He turns a few minutes of prep work and five simple ingredients into a sauce you’ll want to spoon over grilled chicken and seafood — and scoop up with crispy tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde: Green Tomatillo Salsa
Restaurant-Style Salsa
Ree’s restaurant-style salsa is perfect when you’re working with pantry and refrigerator staples. She whips is up in her food processor using ingredients like canned tomatoes, dried spices, onion and garlic.
Get the Recipe: Restaurant-Style Salsa
Watermelon, Mint and Jalapeno Salsa
For a sweet, summery spin on chips and salsa, Marcela replaces tomatoes with chopped watermelon. She adds a bit of mint along with the lime juice, jalapeno and salt to make this dip even more refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon, Mint and Jalapeno Salsa
Charred Tomatillo Margarita Salsa
Two Mexican party favorites are combined in this delicious green salsa. We love the roasted flavors of the tomatillo, pepper and scallions paired with the peppery and earthy notes of the tequila.
Get the Recipe: Charred Tomatillo Margarita Salsa
Fire Roasted Tomato Blender Salsa
Using canned fire-roasted tomatoes in this one-bowl salsa adds a hint of char — without turning on your oven.
Get the Recipe: Fire Roasted Tomato Blender Salsa
Rummy Pineapple Salsa
The caramel notes of the dark rum and the sweetness from the pineapple make this salsa completely addictive.
Get the Recipe: Rummy Pineapple Salsa
Tomato Salsa
Ellie whips up a healthy salsa in just 5 minutes flat. Even better, she only uses four ingredients (plus some salt and pepper).
Get the Recipe: Tomato Salsa
Roasted Tomatillo and Apple Salsa
You may not think of apple when you’re grabbing ingredients for homemade salsa but combining it with tomatillos, jalapeno and cilantro (like Marcela does here) will give you a perfectly sweet-and-tangy green salsa.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo and Apple Salsa
Bloody Mary Guajillo Salsa
Traditional "fried" chile salsa meets a favorite brunch-time cocktail. This saucy salsa is slightly sweet and spicy with the punch of a bloody Mary, backed up by flavorful guajillo chiles. A perfect pairing with your favorite Mexican lager beer.
Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary Guajillo Salsa
Tomatillo Tequila Salsa
Tomatillos, poblano peppers and scallions are broiled until charred and then pulsed into a chunky salsa with tequila and lime juice. It gives the salsa a wonderfully balanced sweet-and-smoky flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tomatillo Tequila Salsa
Salsa De Arbol
Arbol chiles are much hotter than jalapenos so this salsa has a nice, spicy kick. Aaron balances the heat plenty of sweet plum tomatoes — for a simple salsa with five-star flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salsa De Arbol
