Salsa Roja

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 cups
  • Total: 1 hr 45 min (includes steeping and cooling times)
  • Active: 15 min
Advertisement

Ingredients

6 ounces dried guajillo chiles, stems removed

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems, roughly chopped 

8 cloves garlic 

1 medium onion, sliced thin 

One 14.5-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes 

3 tablespoons olive oil 

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

Juice of 1 lime 

Yellow and blue tortilla chips, for serving 

Directions

  1. Place the chiles, cilantro, garlic and onion in a medium Dutch oven. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, 5 to 6 cups. Bring the water to a boil and allow everything to bubble for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and cover. Steep until the chiles have softened and the liquid has cooled, about 45 minutes.
  2. Transfer the contents of the Dutch oven to a blender using tongs and a ladle. Process everything until well combined, about 1 minute. Remove the lid of the blender and add the tomatoes and olive oil. Blend for another 30 seconds.
  3. Place a mesh strainer over the Dutch oven and pour the puree into it. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to slowly help all of the liquid through the strainer. Discard the pulp. Bring the strained roja to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow it to cool completely.
  4. Stir in the salt, black pepper and lime juice. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy with tortilla chips or anything that needs a little kick.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Anonymous

We made this salsa and it turned out awesome. Did a few things different. I did throw 3 or 4 Ancho Chili’s in with the Guajillo chili’s and we did not strain it cause I wanted heat to it. All the heat and flavors were there and perfect to our liking. We will definitely be making this again straining it next time and compare. But this batch is perfect to us.

See All Reviews