20 Salsa Recipes for Dipping, Scooping or Eating by the Spoonful

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Using canned fire-roasted tomatoes in this one-bowl salsa adds a hint of char — without turning on your oven.

The caramel notes of the dark rum and the sweetness from the pineapple make this salsa completely addictive.

Ellie whips up a healthy salsa in just 5 minutes flat. Even better, she only uses four ingredients (plus some salt and pepper).

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.

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.

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.