Best 8 Fresh California Salsa Recipes

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**Salsa**, a staple of Mexican cuisine, is a versatile condiment that adds a burst of flavor to any dish. Made from fresh, ripe tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chiles, salsa is a delicious and healthy way to enhance the taste of tacos, burritos, nachos, and more. This article presents a collection of salsa recipes from California, known for its abundance of fresh, high-quality produce. From classic to unique variations, these salsas are sure to tantalize your taste buds and add a touch of California sunshine to your meals. Salsa Roja, a classic tomato-based salsa, is a vibrant and flavorful condiment that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, tacos, and burritos. Salsa Verde, made with tomatillos, is a tangy and refreshing salsa that adds a bright, citrusy flavor to your favorite dishes. Salsa Macha, a nutty and spicy salsa, is made with dried chiles, peanuts, and seeds, and is perfect for adding a smoky, complex flavor to tacos, burritos, and bowls. Salsa Fresca, made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cilantro, is a light and summery salsa that is perfect for salads, grilled meats, and fish.

**Salsa Roja:** This classic tomato-based salsa is made with fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chiles. It's a vibrant and flavorful condiment that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, tacos, and burritos.

**Salsa Verde:** This tangy and refreshing salsa is made with tomatillos, onions, cilantro, and chiles. It's a great choice for adding a bright, citrusy flavor to your favorite dishes.

**Salsa Macha:** This nutty and spicy salsa is made with dried chiles, peanuts, and seeds. It's perfect for adding a smoky, complex flavor to tacos, burritos, and bowls.

**Salsa Fresca:** This light and summery salsa is made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cilantro. It's perfect for salads, grilled meats, and fish.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

FRESH SALSA



Fresh Salsa image

We like salsa with chips as an afternoon snack. This fresh salsa recipe uses a lot of ripe tomatoes and keeps well for several days in the refrigerator. -Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 15m

Yield 3-1/2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 cups chopped peeled fresh tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt, optional
1 garlic clove, minced

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Let stand for about 1 hour. Serve at room temperature. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 22 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 2mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CALIFORNIA SALSA



California Salsa image

Provided by Food Network

Time 15m

Yield 5 c (1.2 kg)

Number Of Ingredients 6

½ (55 g) medium onion, peeled
1 (10 g) jalapeno pepper, seeds and membranes removed
¼ cup (5 g) fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
6 (672 g) ripe Roma tomatoes, quartered (24 quarters), divided use

Steps:

  • 1.Place onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, lemon juice, and six of the tomato quarters into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  • 2.Select Variable 1.
  • 3.Turn machine on and slowly increase to Variable 5.
  • 4.Blend for 15-20 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
  • 5.Reduce to Variable 3 and remove the lid plug. Add the remaining tomatoes through the lid plug opening.
  • 6.Blend for an additional 10 seconds or just until desired consistency is reached, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades. Do not over mix, leave chunky. Serve with tortilla chips.

THE BEST FRESH TOMATO SALSA



The Best Fresh Tomato Salsa image

Great with your favorite chips. Gets better as the flavors meld.

Provided by Cheryl Dressler

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes     Salsa Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 40

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups chopped tomatoes
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup onion, diced
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (including seeds)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Stir the tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 5 calories, Carbohydrate 1.1 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.2 g, Sodium 25.1 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

FRESH SALSA



Fresh Salsa image

I love salsa. I always make it. I made this one and brought it to work. Everyone raved. It is the best salsa I have ever had. The jicama really makes a difference.

Provided by bbmchicago

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes     Salsa Recipes     Tomato Salsa Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 roma tomatoes, diced
3 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
¼ red onion, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
2 cloves cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 small jicama, peeled and chopped
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Mix together the tomato, jalapeno pepper, red onion, green onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, cumin, jicama, and the diced tomatoes with chilies in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to sit at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 9.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.1 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 16.9 mg, Sugar 0.8 g

RESTAURANT-STYLE SALSA



Restaurant-Style Salsa image

Food Network's Ree Drummond shares her recipe for homemade restaurant-style salsa that the whole family will love!

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     condiment

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Two 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (or more to taste!)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin, with seeds and membrane
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 whole lime, juiced

Steps:

  • Combine the diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, salt, sugar and lime juice in a blender or food processor. (This is a very large batch. I recommend using a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.)
  • Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like. I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
  • Refrigerate the salsa for at least an hour before serving.

FRESH HOMEMADE SALSA



Fresh Homemade Salsa image

Another salsa recipe called for a fresh jalapeno (I think), but I had green chiles in a can on hand. This salsa tastes great, so I'm sticking with it!

Provided by Stephanie Roynestad Fuller

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes     Salsa Recipes     Tomato Salsa Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups chopped tomatoes
¼ cup chopped red onion
¼ cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons canned green chilies
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Combine tomatoes, red onion, yellow onion, green chilies, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor. Pulse processor until mixture is combined, yet remains chunky. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 10.6 calories, Carbohydrate 2.4 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 67.5 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

MEXICAN HOMEMADE SALSA



Mexican Homemade Salsa image

In the summertime, I love to make this easy, zippy homemade salsa recipe with fresh tomatoes from my garden. I even have a special pan for roasting the peppers. -Roger Stenman, Batavia, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 40m

Yield 14 servings (3-1/2 cups).

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 jalapeno peppers
1 medium onion, quartered
1 garlic clove, halved
2 cans (one 28 ounces, one 14-1/2 ounces) whole tomatoes, drained
4 fresh cilantro sprigs
1/2 teaspoon salt
Tortilla chips

Steps:

  • Heat a small ungreased cast-iron skillet over high heat. With a small sharp knife, pierce jalapenos; add to hot skillet. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until peppers are blistered and blackened, turning occasionally., Immediately place jalapenos in a small bowl; cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Peel off and discard charred skins. Remove stems and seeds., Place onion and garlic in a food processor; cover and pulse 4 times. Add the tomatoes, cilantro, salt and jalapenos. Cover and process until salsa reaches desired consistency. Chill until serving. Serve with chips.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 23 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 241mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

FRESH RESTAURANT-STYLE SALSA



Fresh Restaurant-Style Salsa image

This addictive salsa is restaurant quality, or maybe even better! It's fresh and flavorful, not too spicy, and easy to make in a food processor with a mix of ripe and canned Roma tomatoes. This makes a big batch which is good because it will go fast. Serve with lots of thin, crispy tortilla chips and a margarita, of course!

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes     Salsa Recipes     Tomato Salsa Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (28 ounce) can Roma tomatoes, drained
4 small Roma tomatoes, quartered
1 cup chopped white onion
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed
1 serrano pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Steps:

  • Combine canned and fresh tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a food processor; pulse 5 times to chop. Add cilantro, serrano and jalapeno peppers, lime juice, salt, and cumin and process for 10 seconds. Pulse further to desired consistency. Check and adjust seasoning as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 10.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.5 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 0.5 g, Sodium 168.1 mg, Sugar 1.3 g

Tips for Making the Freshest California Salsa:

  • Use ripe, fresh tomatoes. The riper the tomatoes, the sweeter and more flavorful your salsa will be.
  • Choose the right type of tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are a good choice for salsa because they are meaty and have few seeds.
  • Dice the tomatoes and other vegetables into small, even pieces. This will help the salsa to blend well and distribute the flavors evenly.
  • Add some heat. If you like your salsa spicy, add a jalapeño or serrano pepper. You can also add some ground cumin or chili powder.
  • Use fresh herbs. Cilantro and basil are classic herbs for salsa, but you can also try other herbs like mint or oregano.
  • Let the salsa sit for a while before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.

Conclusion:

Fresh California salsa is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used on tacos, burritos, nachos, or as a dip for chips. It is also a great way to use up fresh tomatoes and other vegetables from your garden. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a batch of fresh salsa that will be the hit of your next party or gathering.

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