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.
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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.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- 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.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Salsa Picante
Step 1
Put all of the ingredients into a food processor.
Step 2
Blend until smooth with a few chunks in it (or until desired consistency).
Step 3
Pour into a pan and simmer for 3-4 minutes and then cool before serving.
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.
Dannii's Top 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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!
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.
More Dip Recipes
If you've tried this Salsa Picante recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Salsa Picante
Ingredients
- 8 Tomatoes
- 2 Jalapeños - (or to taste)
- 25 g (1.5 cups) of Fresh coriander (cilantro)
- 1 (1) Onion
- 4 Garlic clove
- 2 (2) Limes - (juice only)
- 1 pinch of Fine sea salt
- 1 pinch of 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 Video
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
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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.
Tawnie Kroll says
Best salsa I've ever had, no joke, thank you!!!!