Quick Canned Salsa: Zesty, Fresh, & So Simple (Print Version)
Whip up zesty Easy Canned Salsa in minutes! This fresh, vibrant recipe transforms pantry staples into a delicious dip. Perfect for any meal.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Salsa Base
01 -
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, well-drained
02 -
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained
03 -
1/4 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
04 -
2 cloves garlic, peeled
→ Fresh & Zesty
05 -
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed
06 -
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
→ Seasonings
07 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 -
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
→ Heat Seekers (Optional)
10 -
1/2 - 1 jalapeño, deseeded and roughly chopped (for extra kick)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get all your ingredients out on the counter. Drain those canned diced tomatoes really well; you don't want watery salsa, hon. Peel your onion and garlic, and give that cilantro a good rinse. I always make sure everything is prepped before I start blending, because I'm terrible at multitasking and usually end up forgetting something crucial like the lime juice – oops!
02 -
Toss the drained diced tomatoes, canned green chiles, roughly chopped onion, and garlic cloves into your food processor or blender. This is where your Easy Canned Salsa starts to come alive! Give it a few short pulses, just until everything is chunky but well combined. Don't go crazy; you want texture, not a smooth puree. I once over-blended and it looked like a sad, pink smoothie, so learn from my mistakes!
03 -
Now, add the fresh cilantro, lime juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. This step fills your kitchen with the most amazing, fresh aroma – it’s honestly my favorite part! Pulse a few more times, just until the cilantro is incorporated and everything is mixed. You might need to scrape down the sides a bit; sometimes those stubborn cilantro bits like to hide.
04 -
Time for the best part: tasting! Grab a spoon and try it out. Does it need more salt? More lime? If you’re adding jalapeño for extra heat, now’s the time to chop it finely (remember to deseed if you prefer less heat!) and pulse it in. I always start with half a jalapeño and add more if I'm feeling daring; it’s easy to add, impossible to take away!
05 -
Once your Easy Canned Salsa tastes just right, transfer it to an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is super important because it allows all those beautiful flavors to meld and deepen. I swear, it tastes so much better when it's had a little time to think about itself.
06 -
When you're ready to serve, give your salsa a quick stir. Garnish with a little extra fresh cilantro, because it just makes it look so pretty and inviting. Grab your favorite tortilla chips, or whatever you're pairing it with, and dig in! The fresh, zesty flavor should be vibrant and totally irresistible. Enjoy!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't over-blend the salsa, you want a bit of texture, not baby food – I learned that the hard way, trust me.
02 -
This salsa tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld, so make it ahead for your next gathering, it's a game-changer!
03 -
No fresh cilantro? A little dried cilantro or even parsley in a pinch will work, but fresh is honestly the best here.
04 -
Serve it up in a pretty bowl with a handful of fresh cilantro on top – makes it look like you spent hours, when really it was minutes!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Food processor or blender
02 -
airtight container
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 25
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 5g
Protein: 1g