Homemade Salsa Recipe (Step by Step)

Do you want to learn how to make a homemade salsa recipe that is restaurant-style step by step? This salsa dip is perfect for dipping tortilla chips but also for Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, and burrito bowls! In addition, we'll be roasting fresh tomatoes and make it from scratch so it is easy, vegan, gluten-free, healthy and versatile!

I know you can make homemade salsa recipe by using canned tomatoes but I think it tastes so much better if you use fresh tomatoes. Also, this recipe is very easy and quick so you get amazing flavors by using fresh garden vegetables!

Before we jump into the recipe, let's talk more about homemade salsa so you can get some tips and learn how to make it step by step. When you start making your own, you will certainly not go back to eating store-bought!

How to make restaurant-style homemade salsa recipe step by step

So, you will not believe how quick and delicious this recipe is and you know what is in it! There are so many store-bought brands but most of them contain unnecessary ingredients or additives.

Ingredients

You only need 6 main ingredients to make this homemade recipe and also they are all fresh ingredients! I also suggest one optional ingredient if you want a little smoky flavor which is chipotle pepper in adobo sauce but you can omit it.

Fresh Tomatoes

The most important ingredient is fresh tomatoes but I strongly recommend using grape tomatoes. I think they roast so well in the oven and also they don't get watery. But if you really want to, you can use roma tomatoes or another variety you like.

Onion

Yellow onions work great for this recipe but you can try to use white or red onions as well.

Cilantro

I love cilantro but if you are not a fan, you can use parsley or omit it if you like.

Lime Juice

Freshly squeezed lime juice is a key ingredient but you can use lemon juice if you don't have lime. That being said, I wouldn't suggest using bottled lime or lemon juice, fresh is the best!

Garlic

I used 3 cloves of garlic but you can use less or more depending on how garlicky you want your salsa to be. The most important thing to remember is garlic needs to be unpeeled so it can roast beautifully!

Jalapeno or Serrano pepper

For some reason, I usually can't find jalapeno peppers at my local grocery store so I always go for Serrano peppers. You can also remove the seeds if you don't want your salsa to be spicy.

Oil & salt

I like using avocado oil but you can use olive oil if you like. Himalayan sea salt is also our go-to but sea salt works great too!

Optional: Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce

I love the smoky flavor so I like adding a little bit of chipotle pepper in adobo sauce and a little bit of the sauce as well. But you can totally omit it if you don't like spicy!

How to make homemade salsa recipe from fresh tomatoes

• In a medium bowl, add the grape tomatoes, roughly chopped onions, unpeeled garlic, roughly sliced jalapeno or serrano pepper, oil, and salt and mix it well. Add the tomato mixture in a pan.

• Broil for 10-15 minutes until it's getting charred and the tomato juice is coming out. Also, check frequently to make sure it doesn't start burning.

• Remove the pan from the oven and cool for a few minutes. Peel the roasted garlic and add the roasted tomatoes, roasted onion, roasted jalapeno, roasted garlic, cilantro, lime juice, chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (optional) into a food processor.

• Pulse the ingredients until desired consistency is reached. Transfer the salsa into a bowl, cover and set it in the fridge to cool and marinate for at least 30 minutes (optional).

Tips for making homemade salsa

• First, buy the right tomatoes so you know that your homemade salsa's consistency will be good. That's why I suggest using grape tomatoes but you can experiment with other tomatoes if you like.
• If you notice the homemade salsa has a lot of juice before pulsing it in the food processor, you should drain some of the liquid.
• Blend until you like the consistency so avoid over blending it.
• I highly recommend letting it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes after blending because it will taste so much better.
• Always adjust to taste so if you noticed it needs more salt or lime juice, just add it.

Variations

This homemade recipe is very customizable so here are some suggestions for variations to change it up:

• Mild Salsa: Either omit or put less jalapeno pepper to make this salsa mild.
• Spicy Salsa: You can also add more chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to make this recipe spicier!
• Chunky Salsa: If you want your homemade salsa to be more chunky, just don't pulse it as long so you can leave some chunks.
• For a party or gathering: If you want to make this salsa for a gathering like Cinco De Mayo, you can easily double or triple the recipe!

How to store homemade salsa

You can store it covered up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep in mine that it also taste better when it sits in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Uses for restaurant-style homemade salsa

• Dip tortilla chips
• Top your tacos, burritos, vegan taquitos and burrito bowls!
• Add it to stuffed sweet potatoes
• Spice up your buddha bowls

This dip comes together so quickly and it is very versatile. It is also:

• Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and plant-based
• Healthy and simple
• Smoky & Spicy
• Crowd pleaser
• Easy to make
• Insanely delicious!

More healthy vegan sauces & dips to try

• BEST HOMEMADE GUACAMOLE RECIPE (EASY & HEALTHY)
• BEST CREAMY HUMMUS RECIPE (EASY & OIL-FREE!)
• VEGAN SOUR CREAM RECIPE (EASY & SOY-FREE)
• VEGAN AVOCADO CREMA (HEALTHY & EASY)
• THAI PEANUT SAUCE RECIPE (5-MINUTE)
• GREEK SALAD DRESSING RECIPE (HOMEMADE & EASY)
• HOW TO MAKE TZATZIKI SAUCE (VEGAN & EASY)
• CHEESE SAUCE RECIPE (EASY & CREAMY)

So did you make this? I’d love for you to leave a comment and rate the recipe. You can also share your photo of the recipe on Pinterest and tag me on Instagram using @avocadocentric or #avocadocentric! xo, Selin

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