Homemade Chunky Salsa Recipe With Fresh Tomato
Bursting with summer flavors — this chunky salsa recipe is a refreshing snack made with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and aromatics and delicately seasoned with salt, ground cumin, and lemon and lime juices. This delicious and nutritious snack is a family favorite! It can be served on top of tacos or as a dip with your favorite seasoned baked tortilla chips!
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This Chunky Garden Fresh Salsa recipe is a great way to celebrate tomato season. Enjoy the crisp flavor of fresh tomatoes while they’re in abundance. Not only is it tomato season, but peppers, onions, and herbs are also bountiful during this time of the year. Coincidence? I think not! Nature knew they were needed to make fresh, delicious salsa!
So, what are you waiting for? Pick those vegetables from your garden or go to a local farmer’s market near you and create a fresh salsa for the whole family to enjoy.
Want more delicious salsa recipes to try out? If you loved this easy homemade salsa recipe, and you’d like some more homemade salsa, you could try an easy eggplant salsa dip. Or, for something a little fruitier, make a fresh pineapple salsa with fresh jalapenos for some kick.
If you love recipes like this but aren’t so keen on tomatoes, you may also enjoy this tomato-less fresh peach salsa.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The recipe for garden fresh salsa makes a healthy snack! This perfect salsa is packed with nutrients thanks to the use of tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro. The lime and lemon juice supply the vitamin C and calcium that you and your family need. All these simple ingredients are rich in antioxidants, which protect the body from cell damage, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.
- This garden-fresh salsa is perfect for people who can’t get enough of chunky salsa! The tomatoes and peppers are diced, so each bite contains a chunk of delicious goodness. The crispness of the peppers complements the delicate texture of the tomatoes. The contrast is incredible!
- It’s a great way to use up any extra produce you may have from your garden! You can even use this easy recipe if you like to stockpile salsa for the winter months.
What’s in This Chunky Salsa Recipe?
- Medium size tomatoes or several small: Chosen for their ripe, juicy essence, tomatoes are the star of the salsa, providing a rich base and vibrant color. Perfect when in season, they offer a naturally sweet and tangy flavor.
- Minced garlic: A little goes a long way with garlic, contributing a pungent depth that elevates the salsa’s overall taste profile, adding an aromatic punch that’s hard to miss.
- Jalapeno pepper: This adds a spicy kick to the salsa, balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes and adding a bit of heat that can be adjusted according to your spice tolerance.
- Mild heat pepper, corbaci for example: Offering a subtle warmth without overpowering, corbaci peppers bring a unique brightness and mild spiciness, enhancing the complexity of the salsa.
- Green bell pepper: Crisp and fresh green bell peppers introduce a necessary crunch to the salsa, alongside a slightly bitter note that complements the sweeter ingredients.
- Medium red onion: With its sharp yet sweet flavor, red onions add a colorful crunch and zesty bite, which intensifies the salsa’s fresh appeal.
- Fresh cilantro or dried cilantro: Aromatic cilantro lends a lemony-lime undertone, infusing the salsa with its distinctive herbaceous profile that rounds off the flavors beautifully.
- Salt: Just a pinch is enough to amplify the natural flavors of all the ingredients, ensuring each bite of salsa is as satisfying as the last.
- Ground cumin: This earthy spice adds an additional layer of depth, introducing a warm, slightly smoky flavor that ties everything together harmoniously.
- Lemon juice: Adding brightness and tang, lemon juice accentuates the freshness of the salsa, balancing the richness of the tomatoes and peppers.
- Lime juice: Lime juice brings a zesty kick to the mix, its acidity enhancing the salsa’s flavor profile and ensuring a refreshing aftertaste.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Smooth Version – If you want to make your salsa more resturant style with a smooth salsa consistency, pulse the ingredients together in a food processor.
- Reduce the heat – To dial down the spice, remove the Jalapeño and Corbaci peppers. Simply add more red and green bell peppers you use.
- Fruit Additions – For a sweet twist, consider adding chopped mango, pineapple, or peach. These fruits blend beautifully with the tomatoes and can provide a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.
- Herb Varieties – While cilantro is traditional in salsa, feel free to experiment with other herbs. Parsley can be a great substitute for those who find cilantro’s taste too overpowering. Additionally, a sprinkle of fresh mint could offer a refreshing zing.
- For Extra Crunch – Add diced cucumber, diced white onion, or a small amount of finely chopped celery to the salsa for an extra bit of crunch and freshness in every bite.
- Cheese Inclusion – A handful of crumbled feta or diced avocado tossed in right before serving introduces a creamy texture and rich flavor, making for an interesting variation on the traditional recipe.
- Spice Variations – Smoked paprika or a dash of chili powder can be used in place of or alongside ground cumin for those who enjoy a smokier taste or additional heat in their salsa.
How to Make Garden Fresh Salsa Step by Step
- Dice bell pepper, Jalapeno pepper, and Corbaci pepper after removing seeds on a cutting board. (Photos 1 & 2)
- Finely chop the red onion. (Photo 3)
- Cut the tomatoes into small pieces. (Photo 4)
- Mix the diced peppers, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, cilantro, minced garlic clove, salt, ground cumin, lemon juice, and fresh lime juice in a large bowl. (Photos 5 & 6)
- Before serving, allow the salsa to sit at room temperature to enhance the flavors. Serve with crunchy tortilla chips or corn chips. (Photo 7)
Recipe Tips
- Uniformity in Cutting: Ensure all salsa ingredients are finely and uniformly diced for the best texture and flavor distribution in every bite.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the salsa after mixing and adjust the salt, lime, or lemon juice as needed. Sometimes a little extra can make a big difference in bringing out the authentic salsa flavors.
- Spice Level: If unsure about your spice level, start with less jalapeño peppers or corbaci pepper. You can always add more later if you want a spicier kick.
- Freshness Counts: For the best taste, use fresh produce if possible. Garden-fresh or farmers’ market produce will elevate the overall flavor profile of your salsa.
- Resting Time: Allow the salsa to rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Cilantro Stems: Don’t shy away from using cilantro stems; they’re packed with flavor. Finely chop them along with the leaves for an extra burst of cilantro taste.
- Acid Balance: If your salsa tastes a bit flat, it might need more acidity. Adjust the balance with a bit more lime or lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Storing Tips
Salsa can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days after it’s made. Because it is made with fresh ingredients and has no preservatives, it will only last a week. Make sure you eat the salsa right away.
Serving Suggestions
Garden fresh salsa is incredibly versatile and can accompany a wide range of dishes beyond the classic chips and salsa combo. Here are some delightful serving suggestions:
- Grilled Meats: The vibrant flavors of salsa beautifully complement grilled chicken, steak, or fish. Serve it on the side or atop for an added burst of freshness.
- Tacos and Burritos: Elevate your baked rolled tacos, burritos, or chicken black bean quesadillas with a generous scoop of salsa. It adds moisture, flavor, and a healthy crunch to these Mexican recipes.
- Eggs: For a breakfast twist, spoon salsa over sheet pan scrambled eggs, omelets, or huevos rancheros for a zesty start to the day.
- Rice and Beans: Mix salsa into rice and beans for an instant flavor boost. It works as a great side dish or a vegetarian meal on its own.
- Baked Potatoes: Top baked potatoes with salsa and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter alternative to traditional toppings. You could also serve it with loaded or crash hot potatoes.
- Salads: Use salsa as a dressing for a fresh salad or mix it into a pasta salad for a picnic-friendly dish.
- Avocado Toast: For a quick and nutritious snack, spread ripe avocado on toast and top with fresh salsa.
Recipe FAQs
Tomatoes should be juiced. Gently squeeze the juice and seeds out by rotating it in your hand. Dice the tomatoes when you’re done juicing them.
Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and then into quarters using a serrated knife. The seeds and white core can be removed by running a knife through each quarter. Next, cut the quarters into strips and make cubes out of the strips.
You may use a food processor to pulse the vegetables instead of chopping them. A food processor, on the other hand, will produce salsa with a texture similar to that found in jars or restaurants.
No. You can leave the skin on your tomatoes. If you don’t like the skin, make a thin X on the top of the tomato and flash boil it for 1 minute. Remove and set into an ice bath to cool. The skin should slide right off!
More Salsa & Dip Recipes You May Enjoy
- Fresh Jalapeno Peach Salsa
- Sweet and Spicy Corn Salsa
- Garden-Fresh Salsa Verde
- Pico de Gallo
- Mango Habanero Guacamole
- See all our snacks here!
Or any other delicious recipes on my site? If so, please leave a ★★★★★ star rating below and a 📝 comment sharing your thoughts!
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Homemade Chunky Salsa Recipe with Fresh Tomato
Equipment
- Medium-Size Mixing Bowl
- Food Processor (mini)
Ingredients
- 6 ripe medium size tomatoes or several small
- 1 ½ tsp minced garlic
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1 mild heat pepper Mild Peppers: Banana Peppers, Cherry Peppers, Cubanelles, Poblanos, and Anaheim Peppers
- 1 green bell pepper
- ½ medium red onion
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro or 2 tbsp dried cilantro
- ¾ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Dice bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, and corbaci pepper after removing seeds on a cutting board.1 jalapeno pepper,1 green bell pepper,1 mild heat pepper
- Finely chop the red onion.½ medium red onion
- Cut the tomatoes into small pieces.6 ripe medium size tomatoes or several small
- Mix the diced peppers, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, cilantro, minced garlic clove, salt, ground cumin, lemon juice, and fresh lime juice in a large bowl.1 ½ tsp minced garlic,3 tbsp fresh cilantro or 2 tbsp dried cilantro,¾ tsp Salt,½ tsp ground cumin,1 tbsp lemon juice,1 tbsp lime juice
- Before serving, allow the salsa to sit at room temperature to enhance the flavors. Serve with crunchy tortilla chips or corn chips.
Notes
- Uniformity in Cutting: Ensure all salsa ingredients are finely and uniformly diced for the best texture and flavor distribution in every bite.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the salsa after mixing and adjust the salt, lime, or lemon juice as needed. Sometimes a little extra can make a big difference in bringing out the authentic salsa flavors.
- Spice Level: If unsure about your spice level, start with less jalapeño peppers or corbaci pepper. You can always add more later if you want a spicier kick.
- Freshness Counts: For the best taste, use fresh produce if possible. Garden-fresh or farmers’ market produce will elevate the overall flavor profile of your salsa.
- Resting Time: Allow the salsa to rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Cilantro Stems: Don’t shy away from using cilantro stems; they’re packed with flavor. Finely chop them along with the leaves for an extra burst of cilantro taste.
- Acid Balance: If your salsa tastes a bit flat, it might need more acidity. Adjust the balance with a bit more lime or lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
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Nutrition Information
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