Restaurant Style Salsa is easy to make and ready in 5 minutes! This homemade salsa tastes as good or better than Mexican restaurant salsa!
Salsa is one of my favorite condiments, and I eat lots of it! However, I am very picky about my salsa. It has to have the right flavor and texture. I have tried many store-bought salsas, and they are not very good. This homemade restaurant-style salsa tastes awesome, so I will never buy premade salsa again!
Personally, I like my salsa spicy, but you can easily make it mild by reducing or omitting the cayenne pepper. You can also add some extra cayenne pepper and extra chipotle powder to make it spicier. Using ground cayenne and chipotle chili powder, instead of actual peppers, makes it really easy to adjust the level of spiciness to your personal preference. However, feel free to toss in some jalapenos or other chilies if you would like. Did I mention how quick and easy it is to make this salsa? It really does only take 5 minutes! I used a food processor to make my salsa, but you can also use a blender.
While salsa is wonderful served with tortilla chips, try using this restaurant salsa as a topping for tacos, fajitas, burrito bowls, lettuce wraps, enchiladas, salads, and more. For a fresh salsa, or salsa fresca, try making this Pico de Gallo, or Fresh Corn Salsa. I hope that you enjoy the salsa!
Note: This recipe was originally published on April 25, 2018, but has been updated with a new recipe card. The printable recipe is located at the end of this post.
Salsa Recipe Ingredients
These salsa recipe ingredients are pretty simple and can easily be adjusted to suit your personal preferences.
- tomatoes – I used a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes for extra flavor, but you can also use regular diced tomatoes.
- onion – I used chopped red onion.
- fresh cilantro
- garlic – fresh minced cloves of garlic or jarred minced garlic.
- lime juice – or lemon juice as a substitute.
- ground cayenne pepper – you can adjust the heat depending on whether you like hot, medium, or mild salsa.
- chipotle chili powder
- ground cumin
- kosher salt
How to Make Restaurant Style Salsa
To make this restaurant-style salsa, simply add all of your ingredients to the food processor or blender and pulse in 5-second intervals until you reach your desired consistency.
Note: I recommend starting with 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of the chipotle chili powder, then do a taste test before you add more. Everyone has a different tolerance for spice. You can always add more spice, but you can’t take it out once it’s in there.
Transfer the salsa to a bowl and serve fresh or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve for up to 5 days.
This recipe was originally published on April 25, 2018, but has been updated with a new recipe card.
Restaurant Style Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes I use fire-roasted tomatoes.
- 1/4 cup red onion chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder *see notes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper *see notes
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the food processor or blender and pulse, in 5-second intervals, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Transfer the salsa to a bowl and serve fresh or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve for up to 5 days.
Notes
- I recommend starting with 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of the chipotle chili powder, then do a taste test before you add more. I actually use 1/2 teaspoon of each, but everyone has a different tolerance for spice. You can always add more spice, but you can't take it out once it's in there.
- Try using this salsa as a topping for tacos, fajitas, burrito bowls, lettuce wraps, enchiladas, salads, and more!
- For a fresh salsa, or salsa fresca, try making this yummy Pico de Gallo or Corn Salsa.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @thesumofyum on Instagram
If you make this Restaurant Style Salsa, please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you, and I truly appreciate your feedback! I will always do my best to respond to every comment ASAP. Thank you and happy cooking!
Need some more yummy ideas for your Mexican fiesta?
This is the best salsa recipe I have tried! I’ve made it two different times and everyone loves it. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for such a nice compliment! I’m glad everyone loved the salsa.
Can you freeze the salsa in freezer bags or air tight containers
I apologize, I have never tried to freeze salsa, so I am not sure.
I’ve recently had a kidney transplant, and the medications I take make my mouth extremely sensitive, especially to spicy things. I’m talking, even table pepper can bring tears to my eyes. I have tried every single name brand and store brand mild salsa and my mouth can’t take it! I want to try this one with none of the pepper. It sounds like it would be great. Any thoughts or suggestions before I start it this way? Thank you so much for your great site!
Hi Jeremy,
First, I am so sorry to hear that you needed a kidney transplant and I hope that your recovery goes well.
Regarding the salsa, I think the salsa would be very mild without the cayenne. You might also want to go easy on the onion if your mouth is super sensitive. However, I am not a doctor so I cannot advise. I would consult your doctor regarding any possible interactions with your medication.
I wish you the best and keep me posted.
Christi, this salsa looks amazing! Exactly how I like it! I’m sure I’ll never buy jarred salsa again!
Thank you so much, Kelly! I hope that you enjoy the salsa!
Finally! I can have restaurant style salsa. Thanks for this easy recipe!
I hope you enjoy!