5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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The quickest, most delicious blender salsa recipe ever. This restaurant-style blender salsa takes just 5 minutes to whip up, and it’s so so good. Serve it with chips or use it anywhere salsa is called for. Everyone is going to LOVE this!

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)

I have a confession to make.

I have a borderline inappropriate love for salsa. There; I said it.

Promise, if there is a will, there is a way. I will sneak salsa into almost ANYTHING. Okay, not like dessert or anything, because that’s just weird.But pretty much everything else. I’ve used it as dressing on a salad. Healthier, and so much tastier than salad dressing. And just plain old, gosh-darn good. I almost always have to have blender salsa with scrambled eggs in the morning — yuh huh.

I scramble the eggs up in a skillet. Then toss in some crushed up tortilla chips (just like a tablespoon or two or three) and some cheese and let it all melt. Put all of that on a warm tortilla and top with a couple of tablespoons of homemade blender salsa. That’s it. <– It’s basicallymigasshoved into tortillas. You’ve got to try it. It is seriously the best breakfast taco of your life. If I could, I would eat this for every meal of the day.

No joke!

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)

Making homemade salsa isn’t tricky; however, if you’re like me and like a nicely balanced red salsa, it’s important to get the proportions right. Like any other recipe, making salsa is all about balance. Too much lime juice and it’s too tart, too many spices and you can’t taste the tomatoes. Too much garlic, and you would be scaring away an army of vampires for life.

But salsa isn’t the only thing I love whipping up quickly. Homemade Pico de Gallo (recipe coming soon), salsa verde, slow cooker queso, chili cheese dip, and guacamole salsa are just some of the other homemade dips I like to add to my Cinco de Mayo menu or Saturday nights for game night.

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)

Ingredients to make blender salsa in 5 minutes:

  • tomatoes
  • Jalapeños
  • Lime juice
  • White onions
  • Cilantro
  • Diced green chilies
  • Garlic
  • Sugar/ salt
  • Spices

How to make the best blender salsa:

Making blender salsa is the easiest thing ever!

  • You don’t have to mince any veggies; just a rough chop does the trick.
  • Toss it all into the blender along with the spices and pulse until the veggies breakdown.

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)

What type of tomatoes work best for this recipe?

I prefer to use diced fire-roasted canned tomatoes. I know that not everyone loves the taste of canned tomatoes, but I find that the canned tomatoes have that perfect texture for a good homemade salsa. You’re welcome to use fresh tomatoes and then grill them on your own or roast them in the oven. However, I find that using fresh tomatoes doesn’t yieldthat same taste and texture for me as the canned tomatoes, but it’s an option if you’d like to use it.

Do you drain the canned tomatoes?

It’s entirely up to you. If you prefer a more liquidy salsa, I suggest using one can undrained and then draining the other can. I prefer a thicker salsa, one that won’t make my chip soggy, so I like draining both cans of tomatoes (and even the diced green chilies) before adding them to the blender.

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)

Can you use a food processor instead of a blender?

Yes, you can! If you don’t have a blender, don’t worry, this is just as easy to make in your food processor. Just add all the ingredients into the food processor and be sure to use the pulse setting. That way, you get to control the texture.

Tips to make the best restaurant-style blender salsa:

  • Make sure all your ingredients are fresh! Check the expiration date on your cumin, oregano, and chili powder if you don’t cook with these spices often! Trust me; it makes a big difference in terms of flavor.
  • Pulse the salsa, don’t puree. So important I had to say it twice! Pulsing creates that perfectly minced texture without causing the salsa to turn into Picante sauce!
  • Let it chill. I learned this when I was testing my Pico de Gallo recipe. The tomatoes need a chance to hang out with the salt, onions, and garlic to make the most flavorful salsa! Ten minutes does the trick, 20-30 minutes is even better!

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

Other Cinco De Mayo recipes to try:

  • elotes (Mexican street corn)
  • chicken tortilla soup
  • Mexican street corn salad
  • Mexican shrimp stuffed avocados
  • Street corn chicken tacos
  • Chicken Carnitas
  • Mexican fruit salad
  • Black bean soup
  • Homemade taco seasoning
  • The best fajitas
  • Chicken street tacos
  • Sopapilla cheesecake bars
  • Mexican chili

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)

Yield: ~ 5 ½ cups

5-Minute Restaurant-Style Blender Salsa

Prep Time5 minutes

Total Time5 minutes

The quickest, most delicious blender salsa recipe ever. This restaurant style salsa takes just 5 minutes to whip up and it's so so good. Serve it with chips or use it anywhere salsa is called for. Everyone is going to LOVE this!

5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)

Ingredients

  • 1 (28-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained for a chunkier salsa
  • 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed
  • 1 lime, juiced (2 ½ - 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 small white onion, cut into chunks
  • ½ bunch fresh cilantro
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies, drained
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (use less or omit if you wish)
  • 1½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: salt, oregano, AND chili powder (omit for milder salsa)

Instructions

  1. Pulse ingredients together in a food processor or blender until you reach desired consistency. Adjust seasonings to taste. Allow the salsa to sit for 10-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Serve fire roasted salsa fresh from the blender or place in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I love storing it in my weck jars

  • Make sure to purchase fire roasted tomatoes that do not contain any seasonings. Some stores sell 'salsa style' fire roasted tomatoes. Those already contain salt and that's why I've listed only ½ teaspoon. If you'res doesn't contain salt, feel free to up the salt to your taste!

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    5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant-Style) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you spice up jar salsa? ›

    At the very least, a little fresh lime juice and some minced cilantro can wake up even the sleepiest of salsas, ushering back in the flavor of just-squeezed citrus and herbs that taste like they came from a living plant. Beyond that, a crunchy raw vegetable or two never hurts.

    Why does Mexican restaurant salsa taste 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.

    Is it better to make salsa in a blender or food processor? ›

    If you don't own a food processor, then don't fret–you can still make excellent salsa by using your blender. Just make sure to pulse your ingredients instead of blending to achieve that yummy salsa texture. You may get a smoother, more liquid salsa with your blender, but still delicious and full of flavor.

    How to make jar salsa spicier? ›

    9 Ways to Make Mild Salsa Spicier
    1. 1 – Add Your Preferred Brand of Hot Sauce. ...
    2. 2 – Chop or Dice Jalapenos and Add to Your Mild Salsa. ...
    3. 3 – Add Diced Raw Onions (or Even Onion Powder) ...
    4. 4 – Add Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. ...
    5. 5 – Mix Chopped Raw Chili Peppers into Mild Salsa. ...
    6. 6 – Sprinkle in Cayenne Pepper.
    Sep 30, 2022

    What gives salsa more flavor? ›

    Roasted tomatoes, peppers, or garlic because roasting anything provides a smoky flavor that we love. Black garlic for a complex, kinda sweet-kinda sour, mildly garlicky but finger-lickin fantastic taste. Smoked salts for a fuller flavor. Corn niblets or diced avocado for added texture and a hint of savory flavor.

    How do you make jar sauce taste better? ›

    Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

    What is the difference between salsa and restaurant-style salsa? ›

    Compared to regular ol' salsa or something like pico de gallo, restaurant-style salsa is usually smoother—just how I like it! It's blended up in a food processor so that all the pieces get minced really finely. This is no place for big chunks of tomatoes, man.

    What is the most popular salsa brand in Mexico? ›

    HERDEZ® Salsa is the No. 1 salsa brand in Mexico.

    Are red or yellow onions good in salsa? ›

    White onions truly stand out in terms of flavor, and are the best choice when it comes to making a fresh salsa or Pico de Gallo. Most Mexican salsa recipes use white raw onions, and while they might be more pungent than yellow onions, they have the perfect crunch factor that works for both- salsas and Pico de Gallo.

    Is it cheaper to buy or make salsa? ›

    You'll save money by making your own salsa, especially if you can pull the vegetables from your own garden. It can be much cheaper to make salsa yourself, and homemade salsa is generally healthier than most of the sugary varieties you'll find in stores.

    Should I cook my salsa after blending? ›

    💡 Why You Should Cook Salsa

    It also helps develop the flavor. Cooking it also takes the edge off the onion. Raw onions are pungent with a sharp flavor that can easily take over not just the salsa, but the world, too. Cooking the onion after it's blended mellows the strong flavor.

    How to spice up jar salsa? ›

    Usually most factory-made salsas have too much salt, but if your salsa is bland, adding some good-quality sea salt and some lime juice can give it a lot more flavor (lemon works, too, but lime juice works better in salsa). And don't forget lemon and lime zest: citrus zest elevates almost every dish it's added to.

    What spice adds heat to salsa? ›

    The jalapeños and hot pepper sauce (e.g., Tabasco) add spice to the mix, and the cilantro, lime juice, and green onions create freshness.

    Does adding sugar to salsa make it less spicy? ›

    Grab some citrus, sugar, or honey.

    Adding acid and sweetness are well known ways to tame a spicy dish.

    What can I add to my salsa to make it hotter? ›

    How do you make store bought salsa hotter? add any kind of hot peppers such as jalapeno diced, hot chili peppers diced,cayenne pepper those are just a few you can add and you will add the heat and will not alter the taste….

    What makes Tostitos salsa spicy? ›

    Oh-so gloriously chunky, TOSTITOS® Chunky Salsa Medium combines ripe tomatoes, jalapeños, onions and garlic for the perfect moderate heat. Nothing pairs better with TOSTITOS® Tortilla Chips, except maybe a group of friends.

    How do you spice down salsa? ›

    Cool Down Too-Spicy: Salsa

    For red-based salsas, add more tomato, if possible, or add finely chopped cucumber, avocado, fresh leafy herbs, mango, melon or oranges. A touch of honey or sugar may also help.

    Can I add pineapple to store-bought salsa? ›

    Pineapple is another ingredient you can use to upgrade jarred salsa. Because the fruit has a distinctively sweet-yet-tart taste, it's an effective way to balance this spicy condiment. You can always use a fresh one for this hack.

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