Quick & Easy Fresh Homemade Tomato Salsa Recipe
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Savor the lively tastes of summer with our Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe. This homemade masterpiece turns every mouthful into a fiesta!
The fresh ingredients in this zesty concoction of ripe tomatoes, tangy lime, and fresh cilantro make for an irresistible companion to your favorite dishes.
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we suggest reading the entire blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe
Nothing beats the taste of fresh salsa, and our fresh tomato salsa recipe does not disappoint!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity…
Just four simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and 10 minutes are required.
Tomatoes are the star of the show, with garlic bringing a depth of flavor and fresh lime juice providing a tangy kick.
Fresh herbs are also a must—we used cilantro, which adds a wonderful fragrance.
With just a few steps – a blend, a stir, and a season, you’ve got a bowl of the best salsa that rivals any grocery store variety.
This fresh salsa recipe is the perfect topping for tacos, taco salad, burrito bowls, nachos, fish, chicken, and pork.
And because it is such a good salsa it’ll quickly become one of your favorite recipes to serve for family taco nights, a summer barbecue, a Tex-Mex dinner party, a big game day, or simply as a snack with salty chips during a movie night!
What Can I Serve With Fresh Tomato Salsa?
- Steak Street Tacos – the salsa adds a fresh contrast.
- Chicken Quesadillas – a spoonful of salsa adds a tangy burst of flavor.
- Mexican Street Corn – the salsa is a refreshing side with tortilla chips
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
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Ingredients Needed For Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Fresh Produce – Tomatoes, Garlic, Lime, Cilantro (Fresh Coriander)
- Pantry – Sea Salt, Black Pepper
The complete list of ingredient amounts is on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements. Still, it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
Reasons You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe
- Fresh ingredients: tomatoes, garlic, limes, cilantro; no preservatives.
- Versatile: Fresh tomato salsa goes well with many dishes.
- Easy and quick to make: Just 10 minutes!
- Customizable: If you prefer a spicier salsa, simply chop up some jalapeño peppers, green chilies, or serrano pepper.
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the side dish, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Appetizer: Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas
- Soup: Tex-Mex Chicken Soup with Black Beans
- Salad: Mexican Mexican Chopped Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
- Main Dish: Beef Enchiladas Recipe with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
- Cocktail: Classic Margaritas on the Rocks
- Dessert: Mexican Sweet Corn Cake with Cinnamon Churro Icing
How Do I Make The Best Homemade Salsa Recipe?
The printable recipe card with the ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Number of Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: n/a | Total Time: 10 minutes
Step 1 – Blend Ingredients: Cut three of the tomatoes into quarters and place them into a food processor or blender.
Add garlic cloves and half of the lime juice. Pulse a couple of times until thoroughly combined.
TIP! If you prefer chunky salsa, blend a little bit less.
Step 2 – Combine Ingredients: Dice the remaining tomato into evenly sized small pieces and stir the diced tomatoes into the blended mixture to create a chunkier texture.
Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro into the salsa, according to personal preference.
Step 3 – Season & Serve: Add the remaining lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with your favorite Mexican entrée or by itself with your favorite tortilla chips.
TIP! Tomatoes are at their best when enjoyed at room temperature—same with this salsa!
More Recipes Using Tomatoes
One of the hero ingredients in this recipe is tomatoes, so here are some more using the same:
Recipe Tips
- The best time to make this recipe is in summer when plenty of fresh tomatoes are available.
- Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Adjust the cilantro and lime juice to your taste.
- This recipe tastes even better the following day after the flavors have a chance to meld together.
- And if you grow your own, fresh summer tomatoes from the garden are perfection!
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Any leftover salsa can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for 3-7 days.
- Freezing Instructions:
- Fresh homemade salsa is not suitable for freezing.
- With all leftovers, ensure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe Card
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Fresh Tomato Salsa
Add a vibrant and flavorful twist to your summer meals with this Fresh Tomato Salsa recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, cored and seeded
- 2 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- Juice from 1 fresh lime (about ¼ cup)
- 1 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, stems removed and finely chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cut three of the tomatoes into quarters and place them into a food processor or blender. Add garlic cloves and half of the lime juice. Pulse until thoroughly combined.
- Dice the remaining tomato into evenly sized small pieces and stir into the blended mixture to create a chunkier texture. Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro into the salsa, according to personal preference.
- Add the remaining lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with your favorite Mexican entrée or by itself with crispy tortilla chips. Enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 63Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 1g
This site uses Nutritionix to provide estimated nutrition. Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
More Salsa Recipes
FAQs About Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe
It’s unnecessary to peel the tomatoes for salsa, but you can if you prefer a smoother texture.
Of course! While Roma tomatoes (also known as plum tomatoes) are often used, any kind of tomatoes will make great fresh salsa. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
Fresh tomatoes are recommended for this homemade fresh tomato salsa. However, you can make salsa using canned tomatoes if fresh ones are unavailable. The salsa will be different in taste and texture from fresh salsa.
To cut fresh tomatoes for salsa, remove the core and dice them into small, even pieces.
Homemade tomato salsa typically lasts for up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Always check for any spoilage before consuming leftovers.
To peel and core tomatoes for salsa, make a small X-shaped incision at the bottom of each tomato, blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, and then transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should easily peel off, and you can remove the core with a knife.
The easiest way to remove the skin from tomatoes is by blanching them. Submerge the tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath. The skins will loosen and can be easily peeled off.
When making salsa, you have several options for the types of tomatoes you can use. Juicy tomatoes, such as vine tomatoes, are great for achieving the perfect salsa. Different varieties, like beefsteak, Roma, or cherry tomatoes, can all be used depending on your preference. The key is to select a kind of tomato that is flavorful, ripe, and suits your taste. Experiment with different types to find the perfect tomatoes for your own homemade salsa.
It’s a matter of personal preference whether to seed tomatoes for salsa. If you prefer a less watery salsa, you can remove the seeds by cutting the tomato in half horizontally and gently squeezing out the seeds and excess juice.
To make homemade salsa less watery, you can drain the excess liquid from the tomatoes before using them. After chopping the tomatoes, place them in a colander and let them sit for a few minutes to release some of the liquid. Alternatively, you can use a slotted spoon to serve the salsa, leaving behind the excess liquid.
You can use various vegetables to make salsa, such as onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, cilantro, garlic, corn, and even fruits like mango or pineapple. Feel free to experiment and customize your salsa with different flavors and textures.