Description
This homemade salsa recipe is a fresh and flavorful delight, perfect for serving with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos and grilled meats. Made with ripe tomatoes, zesty jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and a hint of cumin, it offers a vibrant and balanced taste sensation. The salsa can be enjoyed chunky or smoothly blended, and chilling it enhances the melding of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 4 large tomatoes (ripe, diced)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 jalapeño (deseeded and finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
Seasonings & Others
- 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- to taste salt
- 1/2 tsp cumin (optional, for added depth)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the ripe tomatoes, finely chop the onion, and deseed then finely dice the jalapeño. Transfer all these ingredients into a large mixing bowl to create the fresh salsa base.
- Add Aromatics and Lime: Mince the garlic and chop the cilantro finely, then add these along with freshly squeezed lime juice to the bowl to enhance the flavor profile with brightness and freshness.
- Season the Mixture: Season with freshly ground black pepper, salt to taste, and optional cumin to add depth. Stir thoroughly to ensure all flavors are evenly distributed throughout the salsa.
- Adjust Consistency (Optional): For a smoother salsa, pulse the mixture in a food processor for a few seconds until desired texture is achieved while retaining some chunkiness for freshness.
- Chill and Meld Flavors: Cover the salsa and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, improving the overall taste.
- Serve: Serve the chilled salsa as a fresh dip with tortilla chips or as a zesty topping for tacos, grilled meats, or your favorite Mexican dishes.
Notes
- Removing seeds from the jalapeño reduces heat, but you can leave them in for spicier salsa.
- For a smoky flavor, consider adding a small amount of smoked paprika along with cumin.
- This salsa keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Adjust seasoning as needed after chilling, as flavors may intensify.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: homemade salsa, fresh salsa recipe, Mexican salsa, easy salsa, no-cook salsa, tomato salsa
