This fresh tomato salsa recipe creates a classic topping for tacos, burritos, nachos and more. This homemade salsa knocks any store bought jars right out of the park with its fresh, bright flavors.
We have an obscene amount of taco nights in this house. Like it’s almost ridiculous.
But tacos are the one food that everyone including my very picky 9, 5, and 2 year olds will happily eat, and that’s saying a lot because the kids basically survive on pizza, chocolate milk, and various forms of chips.
One of my very favorite ways to dress up tacos? Fresh tomato salsa.
Now I love all kinds of salsa, including this peach salsa, but this tomato version is the classic, restaurant style version of fresh salsa that goes so well with a big bowl of tortilla chips.
You can also use this fresh salsa recipe to top of almost anything you can think of, like tacos, burritos, taco salads, and taco bowls.
Ingredients and kitchen supplies
For this fresh salsa you need:
- Tomatoes– I like roma, cherry, or grape tomatoes in this salsa recipe but use any kind of firmer tomato.
- Garlic– Fresh garlic cloves add tons of zip and tang. Use a garlic press for the best texture.
- Jalapeno– The amount of jalapeno you use determines the heat level. We add a whole jalapeno to ours because we love hot and spicy. Feel free to use as much or as little as you like. Omit it all together if you prefer a more mild salsa. Also, removing the seeds can help reduce heat.
- Onion– Red onion adds lovely color, crunch, and a mild onion flavor. Sweet yellow onions also work well.
- Lime juice– A squeeze of fresh lime adds brightness and tang. This citrus press is easy to use for juicing lemon and lime.
- Spices– Sea salt, black pepper, and fresh cilantro finish this salsa off nicely.
To make fresh tomato salsa, I use:
- Food processor: A good food processor or a high powered blender can make chopping super easy. Just make sure to pulse for a few seconds and then check the consistency before continuing.
- Lemon squeezer: This helps to juice the lime.
- Garlic press: This makes chopping the garlic easier. It is less important if you use a food processor for fresh tomato salsa.
How to Make
This fresh tomato salsa recipe is embarrassingly easy to make. Here’s how:
1. Prep the veggies.
Slice the tomatoes in half.
Remove the skin from the onion and garlic. Slice the onion into quarters.
Using a sharp knife, remove the stem and seeds if you like from the jalapeno.
2. Mix with a food processor
Toss all the veggies, lime juice, salt, and pepper into your food processor or high power blender.
Pulse for several seconds and check how it is looking.
You are looking for the onions, tomatoes, and jalapeno to be a relatively consistent size.
You can mix it as long as you like, but keep in mind, the longer it goes, the more watery the salsa will become.
Remove the fresh tomato salsa from the food processor and serve with homemade tortilla shells or other favorite dippables.
Can I use a food processor to make fresh tomato salsa?
Ok here’s the deal. You can use a good food processor to make salsa. (I like this Kitchen Aid food processor. Seriously obsessed.)
BUT…
If you use a food processor to make salsa you won’t get a salsa that’s as chunky unless you just pulse the ingredients a few times.
This is totally a personal preference thing.
For me, I like more of a bruschetta like fresh salsa.
And if it’s not a super chunky, less wet salsa, then I need my salsa to be pulsed into oblivion with almost no chunks of veggies what so ever. This is good for marinades and cooking.
If you want more of the texture of jarred salsa with more liquid and softer tomato pieces then running your salsa through a food processor is the way to go.
How long does fresh salsa keep and how to store?
This homemade tomato salsa recipe is best when used within a day of making it.
It will store well covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Be aware: the salsa will give off more liquid the longer it sits.
Plus, refrigerating tomatoes makes them softer and more mealy.
Recipes to Serve With It
Of course, you can always make my favorite homemade tortilla chips with this or dunk veggie sticks into it for a healthy snack, but I adore finishing off tacos with fresh tomato salsa.
Here are some favorites:
- Ground beef taco meat
- Instant Pot chicken tacos
- Pineapple beef tacos
- Taco sliders
- Beer battered fish tacos
- Chimichurri steak tacos
- Beef and quinoa taco bowls
- Barbecue chicken tacos
- 5 Ingredient Easy Chicken Taquitos (Baked Not Fried!)
Other Salsa Recipes
FAQs
Do you peel tomatoes for salsa?
Generally, no. You can definitely keep the skin on the tomato and avoid the extra work.
If you want to make a smoother salsa, you can remove the skin before slicing.
What is fresh tomato salsa made of?
Our recipe uses 6 ingredients including tomato, lime juice, garlic, onion, jalapeno or other hot pepper, and basic spices (salt, pepper, and cilantro).
You can add more ingredients if you like, such as sweet peppers for some sweetness, fruits like mango or pineapple, or habenaro peppers for more intense heat.
Why do you cook tomatoes for salsa?
Our recipe uses fresh, uncooked ingredients. A simple fresh tomato salsa allows the bright flavors of the ingredients to shine through.
Roasting tomatoes prior to making a salsa can add a smoky, deeper flavor, but it is not required and changes the flavor. It won’t taste as fresh when using cooked tomatoes.
What kind of tomatoes are best for fresh salsa?
Roma tomatoes are a popular choice due to their meaty texture and small seeds. I often use cherry or plum tomatoes when making homemade salsa.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces of cherry tomatoes about 3 cups
- 1/2 of a red onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 whole jalapeno
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Finely chop the tomatoes.
- Dice the onion and finely dice the jalapeno.
- Add the diced veggies to a bowl and add the juice of 1 lime, and 3 – 4 pressed cloves of garlic.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Then add the chopped cilantro.
- Give everything a toss to mix it evenly together. Serve right away with chips, fresh veggies or as a taco or nacho topping.
- If you prefer, mix all the ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until you reach the desired consistency.
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