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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » 10 Minute Recipes

Salsa Picante

Updated: Jun 14, 2023 · Published: Oct 4, 2019 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 18 Comments

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Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Low Fat / Vegan
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Salsa picante with a text title overlay.

This Salsa Picante (Hot Salsa) is quick and easy to make and can be thrown together within minutes for an easy dip when you have guests over. A fresh tomato salsa with a real kick to it, you can use it on tacos, burritos, eggs, as a salad dressing or just dig in with some tortilla chips - it's super versatile.

A bowl of Salsa surrounded by tortilla chips, guacamole, limes and herbs.

This Salsa Picante lives up to its name, as it is HOT! Don't let that put you off though. You can always dial down the heat by using less chilli, or more if you really love spice.

Fresh tomatoes are blended up with garlic, coriander (cilantro), lime and chillies to make a juicy salsa that you will want to put on everything! It's less than 40 calories per serving too.

If you have a lot of tomatoes to use up at the end of summer, then this is a great recipe for that! Unlike our Restaurant Style Salsa, this uses fresh tomatoes - and the fresher the better, as you can really taste the difference.

Want more salsa recipes? We have you covered! Try our easy Pineapple Salsa, sweet Mango Salsa, chunky Sweetcorn Salsa or our simple, but delicious, Pico de Gallo.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make salsa picante - Step by step
  • Serving Suggestions
  • FAQs
  • Extra tips
  • More dip recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients needed

All the ingredients needed for this recipe laid out with text overlay labels.
  • Tomatoes - Use the ripest tomatoes you can, which is why this recipe is best made in summer. You just don't have the same flavour with winter tomatoes.
  • Jalapeños - We used fresh jalapeños, but you could use pickled in a jar if that is all you can find.
  • Onion - Brown or red onion will work here.
  • Garlic - Freshly crushed it always best. Make sure it is finely crushed, almost into a paste so that it distributes evenly in the salsa.
  • Coriander (cilantro) - Always use fresh.
  • Lime - Make sure it is a juicy lime, otherwise you might need to use 3.
  • Salt and pepper - Generously season.

A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

How to make salsa picante - Step by step

One: Put all of the ingredients into a food processor.

A food processor with chopped tomatoes, onion, chilies, garlic and cilantro.

Two: Blend until smooth with a few chunks in it (or until desired consistency).

A food processor containing a finely chopped salsa.

Three: Pour into a pan and simmer for 3-4 minutes and then cool before serving.

A saucepan containing salsa.

Serving Suggestions

You are going to want to make this salsa all summer long, so make sure you have lots of different ways to use it. We serve it as a dip with tortilla chips and guacamole at any kind of party we have.

Why not try our Baked Tortilla Chips or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips? But there is so much more you can do with it. Use it as a spicy salad dressing or put it on top of your eggs for breakfast!

Other ways to use it include serving it with these Vegan Burrito Bowls, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Fish Tacos, Mexican Bean Burgers, Pulled Pork Tacos or on our epic Breakfast Nachos.

Salsa picante in a round dish.

FAQs

How long can I store salsa?

If you store this salsa in an air tight container in the fridge then it will last for about a week. Any longer than that and it won't taste as fresh, but good luck trying to resist eating it all for a week!

Is salsa picante the same as pico de gallo?

That's a good question! A salsa is more of a sauce and more blended and liquidy, where as pico de gallo is a chunkier salad. They both have very similar ingredients and can be used in the same way though.

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Extra tips

• You don't have to heat the salsa, and you can just serve it straight away. But it does make it juicier and make it a nicer red colour.
• You can experiment with this salsa to adapt it to your own tastes. If you want less heat, use less chilli. If you don't love coriander, use less or leave it out. Want it more zesty? Add more lime!
• Serve with burritos, tacos, on eggs or as a salad dressing.

More dip recipes

  • A halved and hollowed out pineapple fulled with salsa.
    Easy Pineapple Salsa
  • Roasted Carrot Hummus in a blue dish.
    Roasted Carrot Hummus
  • Healthy Ranch Dressing drizzled over lettuce leaves.
    Healthy Ranch Dressing
  • Healthy Tomato Ketchup in a small dish next to some seasoned fries
    Healthy Tomato Ketchup Recipe

If you’ve tried this Salsa Picante recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Salsa picante in a round bowl.

Salsa Picante

By: Dannii Martin
This Salsa Picante (Hot Salsa) is quick and easy to make and can be thrown together within minutes for an easy dip.
A circular logo saying GF.
Gluten Free
The words low carb in a white circle.
Low Carb
the words low fat in a white circle.
Low Fat
An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
Vegan
5 from 14 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Sauce/Spread
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 5 minutes mins
Total: 10 minutes mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 37kcal
Allergens:
No Common Allergens

Ingredients

  • 8 Tomatoes
  • 2 Jalapeños - (or to taste)
  • 25 g (1.5 cups) Fresh coriander (cilantro)
  • 1 (1) Onion
  • 4 Garlic clove
  • 2 (2) Limes - (juice only)
  • 1 pinch Sea salt
  • 1 pinch Ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Put all of the ingredients into a food processor.
  • Blend until smooth with a few chunks in it (or until desired consistency).
  • Pour in to a pan and simmer for 3-4 minutes and then cool before serving.

Recipe Tips

  • You don't have to heat the salsa, and you can just serve it straight away. But it does make it juicier and make it a nicer red colour.
  • You can experiment with this salsa to adapt it to your own tastes. If you want less heat, use less chilli. If you don't love coriander, use less or leave it out. Want it more zesty? Add more lime!
  • Serve with burritos, tacos, on eggs or as a salad dressing.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1282IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Tisha says

    October 14, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    Love making home made salsa!! Always looking for new versions, so excited to try this one!

    Reply
  2. Tawnie Kroll says

    October 14, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    5 stars
    Best salsa I've ever had, no joke, thank you!!!!

    Reply
  3. Heidy L. McCallum says

    October 14, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    5 stars
    I passed this recipe to my husband to make while I was at work and it turned out FAB!!! I told him to follow your instructions to the letter as you always have great recipes. I am so happy with his results! Another wonderful recipe that we will be making again!!

    Reply
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5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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