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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » 10 Minute Recipes

    Salsa Picante

    Published: Oct 4, 2019 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

    749 shares
    • 485
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Low Fat / Vegan
    Jump to Recipe
    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.

    heart icon

    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 15 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Sauce/Spread
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep: 5 minutes mins
    Cook: 5 minutes mins
    Total: 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 37kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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 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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tisha

      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

      October 14, 2019 at 4:56 pm

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

      Reply
    3. Heidy L. McCallum

      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
    4. Toni

      October 14, 2019 at 4:41 pm

      5 stars
      I really loved how quick and easy this is to make!

      Reply
    5. JOsi

      October 14, 2019 at 4:25 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like a great recipe to have on hand!! So easy and so full of flavor. I didn't realize that cooking it was a step in making this, I'll be trying that next time!!

      Reply
    6. Sonia

      October 04, 2019 at 7:00 pm

      Oh wow! I love Mexican food and this is something that my family wants me to make for some time now! Definitely making this tomorrow tex-mex might here we come.

      Reply
    7. Beth Neels

      October 04, 2019 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      I make a lot of my own salsas, but tried this one because I needed to use up some of the last tomatoes in the garden and the recipe was so easy! It is just delicious and I LOVE how easy it is!

      Reply
    8. Raia Todd

      October 04, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      So easy! And such a delicious salsa, too. :)

      Reply
    9. Ashley @ Sweetpea Lifestyle

      October 04, 2019 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely how salsa should be!!! Delicious!!

      Reply
    10. Jacqueline Meldrum

      October 04, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      I'm a wuss, I's definitely have to have it on the milder side lol!

      Sharing now :)

      Reply
    11. Kelly

      May 20, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Looks great!

      Reply
    12. Danielle

      May 20, 2013 at 8:50 pm

      I have never has mexican food before. I am not very experimental when it comes to my cooking, but I am getting bored with plain chicken.

      Reply
    13. Gail

      May 20, 2013 at 8:08 pm

      I have all these ingredients too :)

      Reply
    14. Joanne

      May 20, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      I put salsa on everything. Well....nearly.

      Reply
    15. Natalie

      May 20, 2013 at 6:30 pm

      Would this freeze well?

      Reply
    16. Angie

      May 20, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      I am making your tacos tonight. I am going to make this to go with them!

      Reply
    17. Ina

      May 20, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      I have not heard of this salsa before. I will give it a try - thanks.

      Reply
    18. Lara Tilman

      May 20, 2013 at 5:18 pm

      This sounds amazing. I like to put salsa on my eggs in the morning with some avocado. Who says Mexican food can't be for breakfast?

      Reply

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