Published: September 10, 2025 | Updated: September 10, 2025
There’s nothing quite like learning a recipe straight from a local chef, and this fresh salsa recipe is a true taste of Mexico! I learned how to make authentic homemade salsa while taking a cooking class in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and it’s become my go-to whenever I want to bring the flavors of my favorite Mexican restaurant home. Made with fresh tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño peppers, garlic, lime juice, salt, and cilantro. This salsa is bright, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Best of all, this restaurant-style salsa uses simple ingredients that you can find at your local farmers market or grocery store, and you can adjust the spice level to your preference. Whether you love a mild salsa or a hot salsa with a smoky kick, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of flavors every time.
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Why You’ll Love This Authentic Salsa Recipe
- Michelin-Star Expertise: This isn’t just any salsa recipe, I learned this recipe and technique directly from a Michelin-star-trained chef in Mexico, making it a truly authentic culinary gem.
- Straight from the Source: I learned this recipe hands-on in a Cabo cooking class by Chef Ari, giving you insider tips and Latin chef-level techniques you won’t find in generic salsa recipes.
- Traditional, Yet Simple: This salsa uses simple ingredients and traditional techniques (like searing and peeling roma tomatoes), but it’s easy enough to recreate in your own kitchen.
- Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of charred vegetables, fresh lime juice, and cilantro creates a perfect balance of smoky, bright, and zesty flavors.
What Does This Salsa Taste Like?
This fresh tomato salsa recipe has a subtle, smoky flavor thanks to the seared vegetables, balanced by tangy tomatillos, bright lime juice, and the fresh flavors of cilantro and garlic. It’s a great way to showcase in-season tomatoes or garden tomatoes. The texture is slightly chunky but still smooth enough to scoop easily. You’ll get a perfect balance of smoky, bright, and slightly spicy notes in every bite.
Ingredients for Authentic Mexican Salsa
Here’s everything you’ll need for this easy homemade salsa recipe:
- ½ onion (70g; white, yellow, or red onion)
- 1 jalapeño pepper (15g; about ½ pepper, adjust for heat level)
- 2 medium tomatoes (280g; roma tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes)
- 2 tomatillos, husked
- A small handful of fresh cilantro (about 2–3 tablespoons, chopped)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and minced
- Salt to taste
- Optional: lime juice, to taste (fresh lime juice)
How to Make Authentic Mexican Salsa
Follow these easy steps to create the best homemade salsa recipe from scratch:
STEP 1: Wash and Prep – Once you gather all of your salsa ingredients, rinse all vegetables (tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, and cilantro).
STEP 2: Pan Sear Veggies -Heat a nonstick pan and sear the tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño, garlic, and onion until slightly charred for a smoky flavor.
STEP 3: Steam and Peel – Transfer the seared vegetables to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let them steam for a few minutes. Peel the tomato skins once they’ve loosened.
STEP 4: Grind Garlic – In a mortar and pestle, grind the fresh garlic into a paste.
STEP 5: Mash and Mix – Add peeled tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño, and onion to the mortar and mash to desired consistency.
STEP 6: Season and Serve: Stir in chopped cilantro, a little bit of salt, and fresh lime juice to taste. Spoon into a serving dish, pair with favorite tortilla chips, and enjoy this vibrant salsa dip.
My Favorite Mortar and Pestle (Molcajete)
I love using molcajetes for recipes like this to bring out the deep, authentic flavors of this salsa and more. This stone mortar and pestle also bridge the connection to centuries-old cooking traditions.
What to Serve with This Salsa
This easy salsa recipe is perfect for game day, Taco Tuesday, or even a quick snack. If you need a bit of inspiration on what to serve with this salsa, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Warm tortilla chips for dipping
- Tacos
- Chicken enchiladas
- Grilled fish
- As a topping for egg bites or scrambled eggs
How to Store This Salsa Recipe
Store this leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. For longer storage, you can explore a canning process using citric acid or lemon juice to safely preserve a second batch. TIP: Always bring salsa to room temperature before serving to maximize its fresh flavors.
5 Tips for the Best Salsa
- Start with Ripe, In-Season Tomatoes: Fresh, flavorful tomatoes (from your garden or a local farmers market) will give you the best flavor.
- Char for Depth: Searing tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, and peppers adds a subtle smoky flavor and complexity you won’t get otherwise.
- Balance with Citrus: A splash of fresh lime juice or lemon juice brightens flavors and helps preserve your salsa.
- Adjust Heat to Taste: Spice level is a matter of preference. If you’re not a fan of spice, simply remove pepper seeds for mild salsa or add serrano peppers for extra heat.
- Let Flavors Rest: Allow the salsa to sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving to let flavors fully develop.
More Favorites from Elicit Folio
- Easy Mango Salsa Recipe
- Pickled Red Onions
- Strawberry Hennessy Margarita
- Homemade Tortilla Recipe
FAQ
What’s the best tomato for salsa?
Use roma tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or garden tomatoes for the best flavor. In winter, you can substitute canned tomatoes.
How spicy is this salsa?
The spice level is completely a matter of preference. Add more jalapeño peppers, swap for serrano peppers, or leave them out for a mild salsa.
Can I use lemon juice instead of lime?
Yes, lemon juice provides brightness and is a good substitute if you’re out of limes.
Can I freeze this salsa?
Yes, you can freeze salsa, but it may lose some of its fresh produce texture. It’s best made fresh or stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
Authentic Salsa Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Jalapeño pepper
- 2 Medium tomatoes
- 2 Tomatillos
- 3 tbsp Cilantro chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic
- Salt to taste
- Lime Juice to taste
Instructions
- Gather all of your salsa ingredients, rinse all vegetables (tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, and cilantro). Heat a nonstick pan and sear the tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño, garlic and onion until slightly charred for a smoky flavor.
- Transfer the seared vegetables to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let them steam for a few minutes. As tomatoes are steaming, use this time to grind the roasted garlic. In a mortar and pestle, grind the fresh garlic into a paste. Peel the tomato skins once they’ve loosened.
- Add peeled tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeño, and onion to the mortar and mash to desired consistency. Stir in chopped cilantro, a little bit of salt, and fresh lime juice to taste. Spoon into a serving dish, pair with favorite tortilla chips, and enjoy this vibrant salsa dip.
Nutrition
Craving More?
This authentic salsa recipe delivers bold, bright flavors from one kitchen in Mexico to yours. If you enjoyed this homemade salsa recipe, check out more of my fresh ingredient recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later and tag @elicitfolio on Instagram if you make it. I would love to see how your salsa recipe turns out!
This was so good! I love how bright and fresh the flavors were. I made it with some tomatoes that came in late from our garden, and it was perfect.
This is one of the best salsa recipes I’ve ever made. It’s the real deal, not like some of that stuff you find out here on the web. We loved it!
I consume quite a bit of salsa, just like most people in Texas. But I usually get mine from the store. I have never considered making my own, but it sounds like I should give it a try.
This salsa looks so fresh and delicious, we love having salsa at our home and events. I’ve never made my own, I always buy it from the store. I need to tryout your homemade recipe the next time.
This salsa looks so fresh and yummy. I can almost taste it just from the photos. I love that it’s simple to make but still has that authentic homemade vibe.