Salsa, a vibrant and zesty condiment, is a staple in Mexican cuisine, adding a burst of flavor to tacos, burritos, nachos, and more. This versatile sauce has gained immense popularity worldwide, transcending its traditional role and becoming a beloved dip for chips and a flavorful addition to various dishes. Its vibrant colors, ranging from fiery reds to refreshing greens, hint at the explosion of flavors that await the taste buds. With its perfect balance of acidity, heat, and freshness, salsa tantalizes the senses, leaving a lingering sensation that keeps you coming back for more. This article presents a collection of salsa recipes, each offering a unique flavor profile to cater to diverse preferences. From the classic Pico de Gallo, with its chunky texture and vibrant flavors, to the creamy and flavorful Avocado Salsa, these recipes provide a delightful array of options for any occasion. The Roasted Tomato Salsa, with its smoky and caramelized notes, adds depth and complexity to your dishes. If you prefer a spicy kick, the Habanero Salsa delivers an intense heat that lingers on the palate, while the Tomatillo Salsa offers a unique tangy flavor with a hint of smokiness. For those who enjoy a milder salsa, the Salsa Verde, made with fresh herbs and tomatillos, provides a refreshing and herbaceous experience. Whether you're hosting a fiesta, enjoying a casual get-together, or simply looking to add some zest to your meals, these salsa recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and bring a touch of Mexican flair to your table.
Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!
ZESTY SALSA FOR CANNING
I got this years ago from the lady in our church who canned it. I've never made it but I've eaten lots of it! It's the best salsa I have ever had. Especially good with lime tortilla chips or on taco salad (recipe #102234).
Provided by Marg CaymanDesigns
Categories Sauces
Time 1h
Yield 6 pints
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients except tomato paste in large sauce pot.
- Simmer until desired thickness.
- Stir in tomato paste.
- Ladle hot salsa into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch head-space.
- Process 15 minutes in a hot water bath.
- Note: use more hot peppers for a very hot salsa or less for mild.
- It depends on how hot your peppers are and how hot you like your salsa.
- I never get close to 2 1/2 cups for our mild salsa.
ZESTY BLACK-EYED PEA SALSA
"Whenever there's a family gathering, my sister-in-law brings this zesty bean dip, and it's a big hit," report Pamela Smith of Flushing, New York. "Since it keeps well in the refrigerator, it's great to have on hand for unexpected guests."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 15m
Yield 6 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 49 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 298mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ZESTY BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA
I use all fresh ingredients, except for the canned black beans.
Provided by Sarah
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Salsa Recipes Tomato Salsa Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix corn, black beans, green onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeno pepper together in a large bowl. Add zesty Italian dressing; stir. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 62.5 calories, Carbohydrate 9.3 g, Fat 2.1 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 191.3 mg, Sugar 1.6 g
ROASTED RED PEPPER AND JICAMA SALSA WITH ZESTY CHUNK GUACAMOLE
This appetizer is outstanding and great for parties! The mixes of flavors complement themselves and will excite even the most lukewarm palates. Everything can be made ahead of time and assembled in minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
Provided by Anthony Whittington
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Salsa Recipes Avocado Salsa Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
- Place red bell pepper on a baking sheet.
- Roast pepper in the preheated oven until skin is blackened, about 5 minutes per side. Allow pepper to cool.
- Peel and discard blackened skin; finely chop pepper and set aside.
- Season chicken tenders with 1 tablespoon cilantro, paprika, black pepper, and monosodium glutamate.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Arrange chicken tenders in the skillet, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and is browned on both sides, about 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside to cool; reserve skillet.
- While the chicken is cooking, heat 1/4 cup olive oil in another skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir onion in the hot oil until very tender and dark brown, about 20 minutes.
- Stir roasted bell pepper, 2 cups jicama, 1 tablespoon salt, sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper into caramelized onion. Cook and stir until jicama begins to soften, about 5 minutes more; remove from heat.
- Pour reserved tomato juices into the skillet used to cook chicken.
- Heat tomato juice over medium-high heat until reduced by half, 5 to 7 minutes, scrape up any brown bits in the skillet.
- Stir sour cream into reduced tomato juice until evenly mixed; remove from heat.
- Season jicama slices with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a clean skillet. Pan-fry jicama slices in the hot oil until browned on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix tomatoes with green chiles, avocados, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, cumin, and salt in a bowl until mixture is a slightly creamy guacamole.
- Spread tomato-sour cream mixture on a large platter.
- Pile guacamole atop sour cream.
- Spread red pepper salsa over guacamole.
- Chop chicken breast tenders into chunks; scatter chicken chunks and jicama slices over salsa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 259.7 calories, Carbohydrate 11.5 g, Cholesterol 29.9 mg, Fat 20 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 730.6 mg, Sugar 3 g
10 MINUTE ZESTY SALSA
The view from our mountain home includes Pike's Peak, so we frequently dine on our wraparound porch in good weather. During family get-togethers, we often savor this salsa with chips while we feast on the natural beauty all around us.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 10m
Yield 1-1/2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, garlic, oil, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with tortilla chips.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 29 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 214mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges
HALIBUT WITH ZESTY PEACH SALSA
Our Test Kitchen came up with a fun way to serve halibut by marinating it in citrus juices and brown sugar, then topping it with a refreshing peach salsa. The colorful entree is pretty enough to serve to company.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; mix well. Remove 1/4 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate. Pour remaining marinade into a large bowl; add the halibut and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. In another small bowl, combine salsa ingredients; cover and refrigerate until serving., Drain and discard marinade. On a lightly oiled grill rack, grill halibut, uncovered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork, basting occasionally with reserved marinade. Serve with peach salsa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 269 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 54mg cholesterol, Sodium 338mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
CITRUS CHIPOTLE GLAZED SHRIMP W/ ZESTY CORN SALSA
Steps:
- Heat enough charcoal in grill to create a two level fire. Combine first 10 ingredients, reserve 1/4 cup. To the remaining 1/4 cup, add 1 Tbl honey Place the shrimp in a plastic bag with reserved 1/4 cup marinade and allow to sit for 20 minutes. While shrimp marinates, place corn and bell pepper skin side down over cooler side of grill. Turn corn every two minutes until lightly charred on all sides. Turn pepper after 3-4 mintes and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove corn, cut kernals with chefs knife by standing ear on its end. Remove pepper and dice into 1/4 inch squares. Combine pepper with corn and all other salsa ingredients. Remove shrimp form marinade, skewer shrimp and place over hot side of grill. Baste shrimp with honey mixture turn over, baste again and cook 2 minutes. Baste shrimp and turn, baste again and cook for another minute. Remove shrimp. Plate by placing a couple of spoonfuls of salsa in the middle of the plate with the shrimp removed from skewers and placed on top.
ZESTY SALSA VERDE
Last year was the first time I had ever grown tomatillos. They were so abundant that I had enough to eat fresh, give away and freeze for future gatherings. What I didn't expect was how well the salsa would freeze. I do like to add an extra zip by juicing a fresh lime into the salsa after it has thawed. -Kim Banick, Salem, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 50m
Yield 2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, toss tomatillos, onions, peppers and garlic with oil. Divide mixture between two 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Roast 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly., Process tomatillo mixture in a food processor until smooth, adding enough water to reach desired consistency. Add remaining ingredients; pulse just until combined. Freeze option: Freeze cooled salsa in freezer containers. To use, thaw completely in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 127 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 304mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
ZESTY SALSA
This chunky and colorful salsa, from Susan Causey of Columbia, Louisiana, is the ideal companion for crispy tortilla chips and goes together in a jiffy.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 10m
Yield 4 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 53 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 167mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
ZESTY SALSA (FOR CANNING)
Great consistency for a canned salsa.
Provided by RC :)
Categories Salsas
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Prepare tomatoes - Place tomatoes into boiling water for 1 minute. Dip tomatoes into cold water to cool. Peel and chop.
- 2. Place chopped tomatoes in large stock pot.
- 3. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- 4. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- 5. Spoon into hot sterilized jars. Wipe rims and secure lids and rings. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.
- 6. Set on towel to cool. Check for seals.
- 7. * For less heat, adjust the amount of mixed hot peppers and replace with an equal amount of green peppers. Keep the amount of green peppers and hot peppers at 2 cups combined.
- 8. Note -- If making this when fresh tomatoes are out of season, use 2-28 oz. cans of petite diced tomatoes, undrained, and add up to an additional cup of water.
FRESH ZESTY SALSA
The addition of olives makes this salsa a little different from other varieties. You can seed the jalapeno peppers if desired. But if you family likes salsa with some "heat", leave them in.-Sharon Lucas, Raymore, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 10m
Yield 8 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Keeps up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 16 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 31mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
Tips:
- Choose ripe tomatoes: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for the best flavor. Look for tomatoes that are deep red in color and slightly soft to the touch.
- Use a variety of peppers: You can use a variety of peppers to make salsa, depending on your desired heat level. Some popular options include jalapeños, serranos, and habaneros. If you don't want your salsa to be too spicy, you can remove the seeds and ribs from the peppers before chopping them.
- Add some sweetness: If you find your salsa is too tart, you can add some sweetness with fruits like mango, pineapple, or peaches. You can also add a bit of sugar or honey.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices: There are many different herbs and spices that you can add to salsa to give it a unique flavor. Some popular options include cilantro, cumin, chili powder, and garlic.
- Let the salsa rest before serving: After you've made your salsa, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop.
Conclusion:
Zesty salsa is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's perfect for adding flavor to tacos, burritos, nachos, and enchiladas. You can also use it as a dip for chips, vegetables, or crackers. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a zesty salsa recipe that everyone will enjoy. So experiment with different ingredients and find your favorite way to make this classic Mexican dish.
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