I recently crafted an Authentic Mexican Salsa Recipe that bursts with vibrant flavors. Fresh diced tomatoes mingle with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and a touch of jalapeno for a lively kick, all balanced by lime juice and cilantro. I find this simple creation wonderfully refreshing for any summer meal.

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I never thought making a tasty restaurant salsa at home could be this simple. I recently discovered a recipe that not only rouses memories of authentic Mexican flavors but also is super easy to whip up.

I started with 2 cans of diced tomatoes, though you can totally use fresh ones if that’s what you have at hand. I tossed in a medium white onion, finely chopped, 3 minced garlic cloves and even some jalapeno peppers for that little extra kick.

I then added the juice of one large lime, 1/2 cup of freshly chopped cilantro, along with salt, black pepper and a pinch of cumin which really brings it all together. This homemade salsa recipe is perfect for those summer recipes and sides dishes and gives a great nod to restaurant style salsa.

I promise its taste rivals your favorite Mexican salsa recipes and it’s such an easy salsa to make at home.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it’s super easy to make and it doesn’t require any fancy skills. The ingredients are so simple, like canned or fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic and jalapeno that even if you’re not a pro, you still end up with some awesome, restaurant style salsa.

I love how versatile it is. Sometimes I use fresh tomatoes when I got them, and other times I keep it simple with canned ones. Either way, it always turns out tasty with that fresh kick of lime and cilantro.

I also really like that it packs a nice punch of flavors. The mix of spicy jalapeno, tangy lime, and a bit of cumin makes it flavor balanced and fun to eat. It’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary meal into something special.

Lastly, I appreciate how quickly it all comes together. After stirring everything up, I just let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes and let the flavors blend together. It’s a chill process that makes me feel like I’m cooking something genuinely homemade every single time.

Ingredients

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Tomatoes: high in antioxidants, juicy and flavorful, add natural sweetness and fiber, really good for health.
White Onion: adds crunch, mild sweetness, and essential fiber with vitamins to boost the dish.
Garlic: offers a sharp, savory note, loads of flavor and potential health perks in every bite.
Jalapeno: gives a bold spicy kick, rich in vitamins and that warm kick of heat.
Lime: zesty and sour, it lifts the salsa and perfectly balances the overall flavor.
Cilantro: fresh, aromatic herb loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, giving a refreshing finish.
Salt, Pepper, and Cumin: seasoning blend that intensifies flavors, offering warmth and well rounded spice complexity.

Ingredient Quantities

2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes (you can use fresh tomatoes if you prefer)

1 medium white onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (leave a few seeds in if you like more heat)

Juice of 1 large lime

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, but adds a nice depth of flavor)

How to Make this

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1. Drain the diced tomatoes if you are using canned ones, or if you’re using fresh tomatoes, chop them up into small pieces.

2. Finely chop the white onion and mince the garlic cloves.

3. Dice the jalapeno peppers, seeding them if you want less heat, or leave a few seeds in if you like it spicier.

4. Place the tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeno into a large bowl.

5. Squeeze the juice of one large lime over the mix. Try to get every bit of juice out.

6. Roughly chop the fresh cilantro and add it to your bowl.

7. Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and if you’re using it, the 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.

8. Give everything a good stir until the ingredients are evenly combined.

9. Let the salsa sit for about 15 to 20 minutes so the flavors can mix together.

10. Taste the salsa and adjust the salt or lime juice as needed before serving. Enjoy your fresh restaurant style salsa!

Equipment Needed

1. Sharp chef’s knife
2. Cutting board
3. Can opener (if you are using canned tomatoes)
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Citrus juicer (or hand squeezer)
6. Measuring spoons
7. Stirring spoon or spatula

FAQ

Q: Can i use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

A: Yes you can use fresh tomatoes if you want, just keep in mind that they might make the salsa a bit watery so adjust the amount of lime and salt accordingly.

Q: How spicy will the salsa be using jalapeno peppers?

A: The heat can vary depending on if you leave any seeds in, so if you don't like it too spicy, its best to remove most of the seeds before chopping.

Q: How long should i let the salsa sit before eating?

A: lets give it at least 30 minutes at room temperature so the flavors meld nicely, though you can chill it for a couple hours if you prefer a colder dip.

Q: Can i tweak the spices in this recipe?

A: Absolutely you can, feel free to add more salt or cumin as you like just make sure to taste it along the way to get it just right.

Q: Is this salsa only good for restaurant style dishes?

A: Not at all, its really versatile so you can use it as a dip, a topping for tacos, or even as a sauce for your grilled meats.

Restaurant Salsa Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you cant find canned diced tomatoes, try using about 4 to 6 fresh roma tomatoes diced up, they work almost the same
You can swap the white onion for a red onion if you want a slightly sweeter flavor, just keep it finely chopped
If you are not a big garlic fan, you might use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, use about 1/2 teaspoon for each clove
For a different kind of heat, try using serrano peppers in place of jalapeno peppers, just adjust the amount to your taste
If limes arent available, a splash of lemon juice can be used instead giving a similar citrus zing

Pro Tips

1. Try roasting the tomatoes, onions and garlic a bit before you mix them together. It brings out a nice smoky flavor that really kicks the salsa up a notch.
2. If you want the salsa to taste even better, chill it in the fridge for at least an hour. This gives all those flavors time to blend together and makes it more refreshing.
3. When chopping the jalapenos, wear gloves and be careful not to touch your eyes. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can leave a few extra seeds in to up the heat.
4. Give the salsa a good stir and then let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. This waiting period is super important cuz it lets the spices and juices mingle real well.

Restaurant Salsa Recipe

Recipe by Dan Coroni

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Sharp chef’s knife
2. Cutting board
3. Can opener (if you are using canned tomatoes)
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Citrus juicer (or hand squeezer)
6. Measuring spoons
7. Stirring spoon or spatula

Ingredients

2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes (you can use fresh tomatoes if you prefer)
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (leave a few seeds in if you like more heat)
Juice of 1 large lime
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, but adds a nice depth of flavor)

Directions

Drain the diced tomatoes if you are using canned ones, or if you're using fresh tomatoes, chop them up into small pieces.
Finely chop the white onion and mince the garlic cloves.
Dice the jalapeno peppers, seeding them if you want less heat, or leave a few seeds in if you like it spicier.
Place the tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeno into a large bowl.
Squeeze the juice of one large lime over the mix. Try to get every bit of juice out.
Roughly chop the fresh cilantro and add it to your bowl.
Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and if you're using it, the 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Give everything a good stir until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Let the salsa sit for about 15 to 20 minutes so the flavors can mix together.
Taste the salsa and adjust the salt or lime juice as needed before serving. Enjoy your fresh restaurant style salsa!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.