Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning (2024)

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5 from 11 votes

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Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Published: January 13, 2023Updated: May 30, 2023

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This is honestly the Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning you will find! Featuring fresh, ripe tomatoes, onion, and jalapeño, charred to perfection and mixed with lime, cilantro and salt. You can’t go wrong with this easy, simple salsa that can be canned if desired!

Looking for something to serve up with this great salsa? No problem, try these Easy Chicken Fajitas, Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas, and Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet.

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Why This Recipe Works

Spicy & Tangy: The flavor combinations in my best Mexican-inspired salsa recipe are to die for. This is the perfect restaurant-style salsa that can be made exactly to your liking! The combination of charred tomatoes, jalapeños, onions and garlic with the fresh zing of lime and herby flavor of cilantro make for the perfect spicy and tangy salsa!

Easy to Make: This best Mexican salsa recipe for canning is actually so easy to make! The charring really brings out the flavors of all of the ingredients, so although it takes some time it is totally worth it. Once everything is charred, then all you do is mix it all together! You can make extra and can the salsa, too.

Ingredients

It is super important to use high quality ingredients in this best Mexican salsa recipe. Since there are few ingredients, the flavor of each ingredient will stick out to make the perfect salsa. Here’s what you’ll need:

Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning (2)
  • Roma Tomatoes: Use the best, most ripe tomatoes you can find. Roma tomatoes are generally easy to find, but really any fresh tomatoes will work. If fresh tomatoes are not in season, you can use canned tomatoes, just make sure to drain the liquid from them!
  • Onion & Garlic: Onion and garlic are essential for lots of flavor here. When charring these under the broiler, make sure they don’t burn!
  • Jalapeño: I used one whole jalapeño, but seeded it before I charred it. If you really like spice, you can add more, or you can just use half if you prefer!
  • Lime: You need one half of lime juice from a fresh lime. This will also be charred to create a smoky flavor!
  • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is added for a fresh, herby flavor.
  • Salt: Don’t forget to salt the salsa to taste! Adding salt will balance all the flavors perfectly.

Here’s How You Make It

Step by Step Instructions

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  1. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Toss all of the ingredients except for the cilantro and salt – including the whole half lime – together on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread everything out, and make sure the lime is flesh side up.
  2. Broil & Keep an Eye Out: Broil the tray on high until everything has a slight char, but make sure nothing, especially the whole garlic clove or the onions burn, you will be able to taste it in the final salsa! Keep an eye on everything, turning items over with tongs and removing them from the tray and transferring them into the body of a high powered bullet blender or food processor as they’re ready. Everything will be ready at different times! The whole process can take from 10-30 minutes depending on the power of your broiler.
  3. Blitz & Enjoy: Once everything is in the blender, add 1/2 tsp of salt and the cilantro. Blitz until smooth, and season to taste with more salt, if needed. Serve immediately or proceed with your favorite canning method. Enjoy!
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Expert Tips

My best Mexican salsa recipe is easy to make, but here are some simple tips to follow:

  • Charring is key! The charring in this salsa recipe is key to getting a delicious and more authentic Mexican salsa. Don’t skip this part or the salsa might fall a bit flat!
  • Don’t like spicy? You can skip the jalapeño and use a poblano pepper instead. The poblano pepper still lends a nice flavor but without all the spice!
  • If you like a smoother salsa, use a blender. If you like a chunkier salsa, the food processor is the best bet.
  • Give some time for the salsa to chill! Remember, after charring the vegetables they will be warm, so if you want a chilled salsa, make this ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving!

Frequently Asked Questions

What tomatoes are best for salsa?

Roma tomatoes are nice due to the small seeds and thick flesh, but truly any tomatoes that you have on hand will be delicious in salsa. If you garden and have fresh tomatoes in the summer, that is even better!

Is this salsa recipe spicy?

This salsa recipe is only slightly spicy since I used just one jalapeño and seeded it. You can cut the jalapeño in half before adding it to the food processor, taste, and add the other half if you want it to be more spicy!

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More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Try

  • Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Tomatillo Ranch Chicken
  • Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • Baked Salsa Verde Chicken
  • Mango Black Bean Salsa

Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning (6)

Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning

This is honestly the Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning you will find! Featuring fresh, ripe tomatoes, onion, and jalapeño, charred to perfection and mixed with lime, cilantro and salt. You can't go wrong with this easy, simple salsa that can be canned if desired!

5 from 11 votes

PrintPinRate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 lb roma tomatoes - quartered
  • ½ white or brown onion - peeled and quartered
  • 1 peeled garlic clove
  • 1 jalapeño - seeded
  • ½ lime juice - from a fresh lime
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • small handful cilantro
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Toss all of the ingredients except for the cilantro and the salt- including the entire half lime – together on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread everything out, and make sure the lime is flesh side up.

  • Broil the tray on high until everything has a slight char, but make sure nothing, especially the whole garlic clove or onions burn – you will be able to taste it in the final salsa! Keep an eye on everything, turning items over with tongs and removing them from the tray and transferring them into the body of a high powered bullet blender or food processor as they're ready – everything will be ready at different times! The whole process can take from 10-30 minutes, depending on the power of your broiler.

  • Once everything is in the blender, add 1/2 tsp of salt and the cilantro. Blitz until smooth, and season to taste with more salt, if needed. Serve immediately or proceed with your favorite canning or preserving method!

Notes

  1. Use the best, ripest tomatoes you can find. If they’re not in season, substitute 1 15 oz can of regular or fire roasted chopped tomatoes. Before you broil your vegetables (using only 1/2 tbsp of olive oil), set the canned tomatoes in a sieve over a bowl to drain off excess water for a better textured salsa. This method will yield 1 1/4 cups of salsa.
  2. Keep the salsa covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 266 kcal, Carbohydrates: 31 g, Protein: 7 g, Fat: 16 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g, Sodium: 66 mg, Potassium: 1679 mg, Fiber: 10 g, Sugar: 16 g, Vitamin A: 9687 IU, Vitamin C: 116 mg, Calcium: 133 mg, Iron: 3 mg

Course: Sauce / Condiment

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Tiffany

Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @cremedelacrumb1 on Instagram and hashtag it #cremedelacrumb!

Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning (2024)

FAQs

Why is Mexican restaurant salsa so good? ›

While some restaurant-style salsas may be prepared in large batches to meet demand, the emphasis on using fresh, high-quality ingredients remains a constant, no matter the quantity. A unique blend of fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice contributes to the vibrant, lively taste of restaurant-style salsa.

Do you have to cook salsa before canning? ›

Do You Have To Cook Salsa Before Canning? Yes, otherwise, if you can raw or fresh salsa, you will have to process it for a longer time than cooked salsa. This will take much longer, so it is better to cook the salsa before canning.

Why is Mexican salsa so watery? ›

After the salsa sits—more on that in a moment—the tomatoes will break down. If you didn't remove the seeds, they will make the salsa extra watery, with a pool of vaguely tomato-flavored liquid at the bottom of your bowl. Nobody wants to scoop vaguely tomato-flavored liquid onto a chip.

What vinegar is best for salsa? ›

Basic, white vinegar

The Kitchen is My Playground tested various kinds of vinegar paired with tomatoes and found white vinegar to be the clear winner. Unlike apple cider and balsamic vinegar, which can crush the other flavors of this recipe, white vinegar doesn't try and upstage the tomatoes in your salsa.

What is the number 1 salsa brand in Mexico? ›

HERDEZ® Salsa is the No. 1 salsa brand in Mexico. Known for simple, quality ingredients, our salsas represent the heart and soul of Mexican cuisine. Explore our varieties below—each as diverse and vibrant as the regions that inspired them—to find your favorites and add bold, authentic flavor to your family recipes.

What is authentic Mexican salsa made of? ›

Take the stems off the peppers and throw away the stems. Place the peppers and seeds in the bender. Blend well. Next toss in the stewed tomatoes with juice, 1 jalepeno (sliced), 1/2 yellow onion (quarterd), 1 garlic clove, handful of cilantro, lemon juice, salt and pepper and blend til you have the consistancy desired.

How long does salsa need to be in a water bath? ›

Water must cover jars by 1 inch. Adjust heat to medium-high, cover canner, and bring water to a rolling boil. Process pint jars and half pint jars for 20 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat and remove cover.

Do you have to add lemon juice when canning salsa? ›

All varieties of salsa without added lemon juice tested above 4.6 and a risk for botulism. This research explains why an acid must be added to tomatoes when home canning them to lower the pH and prevent botulism.

Can you leave skin on tomatoes when canning salsa? ›

Can you leave skin on tomatoes when making salsa? You sure can! This is the easiest way to make salsa Making this food processor salsa for canning your tomatoes and peppers is the perfect way to save some time!

What are the best tomatoes for salsa? ›

Roma Tomatoes are a popular choice for salsa-making due to their dense and meaty texture, small number of seeds, and full-of-flavor tanginess. Variations of this tomato are sometimes called “plum” or “paste” tomatoes. Red Beefsteak Tomatoes are another favorite for those who favor a juicier tomato in their salsa.

What to add to salsa to make it better? ›

Cumin, cilantro, and lime juice add flavor and freshness to the mix. A tiny bit of sugar and salt balance the whole thing out. Which type of onion is best for salsa? You don't need anything fancy; white onion is perfect for homemade salsa.

Why did my salsa turn to jelly? ›

Once it's refrigerated, it will gel a bit because of the pectin in the tomatillos. to break it up, give it a stir and let it sit at room temperature.

Is vinegar or lemon juice better for canning salsa? ›

Acidic Ingredients

Lemon juice is more acidic than vinegar and has less effect on flavor. You can safely substitute an equal amount of bottled lemon juice for vinegar in salsa recipes using vinegar. However, do not substitute vinegar for lemon juice because this would reduce acidity and produce an unsafe product.

How much vinegar do I put in a gallon of salsa? ›

on jars during processing, add ¼ cup vinegar per gallon of water used in the canner. Select tomatoes, peppers, spices, and onions. Always use fresh, firm, ripe tomatoes.

Are yellow or white onions better for salsa? ›

White onions are slightly milder in flavor than yellow onions, and taste a bit more sweet. If you're adding raw onions to a sandwich, salad or salsa, a white onion, rather than a yellow, may be the way to go.

What kind of salsa do Mexican restaurants use? ›

Salsa Roja or Salsa de Mesa or Salsa Mexicana. Simple, fresh, and easy to make. A winning Mexican restaurant style salsa prepared with plum tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and serrano peppers.

What's the difference between restaurant-style salsa and regular salsa? ›

What is the difference between restaurant-style salsa and chunky salsa? Restaurant-style typically has a more smooth texture. The ingredients are finely minced and the salsa has a thinner consistency. This is why a blender is so helpful in making restaurant-style salsa.

Do most Mexican restaurants make their own salsa? ›

Tortilla chips and salsa are common fare when dining out in a Mexican restaurant throughout the 50 states, and most restaurants pride themselves on serving up freshly made, spicy salsas that they make in-house to add to flautas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos and more.

Is Mexican restaurant salsa healthy? ›

Overall, salsa is a much healthier option compared to other dips and toppings containing dairy, high amounts of sodium, and artificial flavorings.

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