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Restaurant Style Salsa

Appetizers & Snacks

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With fresh tomatoes and just the right amount of seasonings, this easy Restaurant Style Salsa will wow your taste buds!

restaurant style salsa with tortilla chip dunked in it

It’s no secret that the hubster and I love going out for Mexican food. The atmosphere, tasty chips and salsa, and delicious frozen strawberry margaritas seem to lure us to our favorite spot once a month.

The one thing that I always look forward to when going out for Mexican food is the tortilla chips and salsa.

The hubster and I are pretty picky about this. Not every place can make these just right. The tortilla chips have to be crispy and fresh, while the salsa has to have mild spice, but nothing too overpowering.

We’ve searched high and low to find just the perfect combination. Luckily, our favorite place meets our standards. The chips are always crunchy and the salsa has just the right combination of flavors and spice.

 tortilla chip dunked in bowl of restaurant style salsa

So when the hubster and I had a craving for some chips and salsa last weekend, I decided to try my hand at making homemade restaurant style salsa.

After gathering the perfect ingredients, I whipped up this delicious Mexican restaurant salsa recipe. With fresh tomatoes and just the right amount of seasonings, the salsa tasted like it came right from our favorite Mexican place. It was so fresh and tasty, that the hubster and I quickly decided that this tasted even better than salsa ordered at a restaurant! Yes, it tasted just that good!

The best part of this recipe? You guessed it! It’s so simple to whip up because it’s made in the blender, and very versatile depending on yours tastes.

And because you throw the ingredients into the blender, it takes just minutes to prepare!

tortilla chips and bowl of restaurant style salsa

Restaurant Style Salsa Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make the best homemade salsa are mostly pantry staples: 

  • Canned diced tomatoes
  • Red onion
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime juice
  • Garlic
  • Cumin
  • Jalapeño
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt and pepper 

How to Make Restaurant Style Salsa 

Simply chop your veggies and herbs, toss everything in the blender, mix, and voila! Homemade restaurant style salsa that will wow your taste buds. Trust me guys, this salsa is amazing! I guarantee it will rival any Mexican restaurant that you love.

Serve this Restaurant Style Salsa with tortilla chips and you have yourself a deliciously fresh and tasty appetizer or snack!

What are the Best Tomatoes for Salsa? 

I’ve found that a combination of canned diced tomatoes works best. Roma tomatoes are a great alternative if you want to use fresh tomatoes.

Can You Freeze Salsa? 

Since this restaurant salsa recipe is pureed until smooth, it’s okay to freeze (chunky salsas change texture once frozen). To thaw, place in your fridge overnight. 

restaurant style salsa in white bowl next to tortilla chips

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Salsa

  • I omitted the jalapeños entirely in this salsa since the hubster and I don’t like foods that are too spicy. But if you like a little heat, feel free to add that in. 
  • For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lime juice. This is such a simple restaurant salsa recipe, so little things like that make a big difference. 
  • Likewise, don’t skip the granulated sugar in this recipe. It’s only a pinch, but it helps to balance out the acidity in the tomatoes. 

Looking for more easy Mexican recipes? I’ve got you covered!

With fresh tomatoes and just the right amount of seasonings, this easy Restaurant Style Salsa will wow your taste buds!
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Restaurant Style Salsa

With fresh tomatoes and just the right amount of seasonings, this easy restaurant style Salsa will wow your taste buds!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword salsa recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 2 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes drained (I used basil, oregano, and garlic seasoned tomatoes)
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes & green chiles
  • ½ red onion roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 garlic clove or 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 jalapeño seeds scraped out (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • In a blender, combine the diced tomatoes, tomatoes & green chiles, onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño (if using), cumin, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  • Blend until it reaches desired consistency. Adjust seasonings, if needed.
  • Serve immediately with tortilla chips or refridgerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Salsa will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • If you do not like spicy salsa, feel free to omit jalapeños.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

**August 2017 update! This recipe was originally posted in July 2014. I decided that the photos desperately needed updating, so I reshot the recipe (but still kept the ingredient list and directions the same). I also kept the original post/story above that I wrote three summers ago!**

By Gayle |

Comments

  1. Bri | Bites of Bri says

    Gayle, you're totally right. Restaurant salsa is the best and one of the best parts of going out for Mexican. I love the simplicity of this recipe and the fact that you can use the blender! SWEET!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Bri! Sometimes I eat too many chips and salsa that I'm too full for the meal! But with this home-made salsa, I can eat it anytime I want, and so easy to make, too!
      Reply

  2. allison says

    Oh I live soooo far away from a mexican restaurant so I'm always looking for ways to recreate the experience at home. This looks so authentic! Perfect for lingering over on a hot summer night.
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      This is definitely wonderful to have during the summer! And so easy to whip up...the blender literally does all of the work! I hope you try this out, Allison!
      Reply

  3. Annie @Maebells says

    Restaurant style salsa is the only way to go in my opinion! The big chunky salsa just doesn't do it for me. I know it is only 7am, but I could totally go for some of this right now!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I kinda wanted some of this salsa earlier today, too! What's great about this recipe is that it's so easy to customize depending on your tastes. And since it's made in the blender, it takes the chunkiness right out!: )
      Reply

  4. Mir says

    Nothing is better than Mexican food this time of year! And I always look forward to chips and salsa at restaurants. With a frozen margarita, of course! This recipe looks perfect. Great texture and flavors!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Yes, definitely frozen margaritas, Mir! My husband and I love the strawberry ones. Nothing better than a margarita and home-made salsa. And thanks for the kind words!
      Reply

  5. Laura says

    I love how this stores for 5 days! First day chips, next day with tacos, following day quasadillas....this list goes on and on! So many practical uses, goes with everything and tasty, delicious and nutritious. Would love to add this as a link on my How-to Grow a Salsa garden post! Yum. Love those chips at Mexican restaurants.....sometimes not even that hungry when dinner comes...opps.
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I like your thinking, Laura! This only lasted a few days in our house because my husband and I devoured it, but we did use it on tacos one night. I will have to try quesadillas next time! Feel free to use this on your how to grow a salsa garden post, I would be honored! And I'm the exact same way as you, too...I always fill up on chips and salsa that I only end up eating a tiny portion of my meal!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Arpita! Since this salsa is made in the blender with almost no prep times, it's made fast and just the way you like it!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much, Kathi! I have eaten chips and salsa for dinner before...but especially with this home-made salsa, it's so hard to resist!
      Reply

  8. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    Oh this looks just perfect Gayle. If I had to pick one snack that I had to eat every day, it would hands down be chips and salsa. It's my fave! This salsa looks like the kind I love. Wish I could grab a chip and dig in!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I would definitely pick chips and salsa too, Natalie! Especially this salsa, because it literally takes almost no time to prepare, and it super delicious!
      Reply

  9. Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says

    Yum, going for Mexican food is our favorite and chips and salsa is a must. We actually decide how much we like a restaurant by their salsa. This salsa looks delicious! We must be on the same page. I have a salsa that I'm posting too :D
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Same with me, Cindy! My husband and I are very selective about our chips and salsa. But we both agreed that this was the best, hands down! I can't wait to see your salsa recipe!
      Reply

  12. marcie says

    I'm with you on the Mexican thing -- you just can't go wrong! I love chips and salsa, and I've never made restaurant style like this…mine is usually very rustic. haha I will have to give this a try, Gayle. Pinning!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Mexican food is the best, isn't it? Especially with chips and salsa. Thanks so much for the pin, Marcie! I hope you like it if you try it!
      Reply

  13. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    This is pretty much exactly how I make my own salsa too. My husband and I love going to Mexican restaurants too, but here in the UK they are not that great (or maybe we are just spoilt from having been to Mexico), so we often make our own at home, as it is better than what we can get in our city.
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Isn't this the best way to make salsa, DAnnii? I absolutely love it! Definitely way better than restaurants!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Warm chips are the best, Julie! My husband loves that we can make this at home, because then he can have it whenever he wants!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Mexican food is my kryptonite, Medha! I love it! The chips and salsa are the best. But now that I made this home-made version, I can have it anytime I want! Sounds like you would love this, too!
      Reply

  16. Danielle says

    I love Mexican food! I could eat chips and salsa all day long, it's soooo good. I always eat way too many when we go out to eat too. This salsa looks so fresh and delicious! I feel like I need a bowl right now :)
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I do the exact same thing and always fill up on the chips and salsa! It's so good, I forget that I have my dinner to eat! :)
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Sounds like your husband would love this, Michele! Please let me know how you like this if you try it!
      Reply

  18. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says

    Oh my hubster and I also love going out for Mexican food. If we could we would go out for it every night. We are having brisket tacos tomorrow night and I am going to make your salsa to go along with them. I'll make a great combo.
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I'm glad you share my love of Mexican food! If my husband had his way, we'd probably eat it everyday, too! Please let me know what you think of this of you try it, Kathy!
      Reply

  19. Mary Frances says

    You and I share similar salsa and chip standards! Yes, the salsa has to have the right amount of spices and crispy, crunchy tortilla chips are a deal breaker. Mexican food and atmosphere is perfect for relaxing! You nailed this salsa recipe, Gayle, and my family has been asking for the homemade version - pinning!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I'm glad your chips and salsa specifications are as rigid as mine, Mary Frances! There's just something about them that makes the whole experience more enjoyable. And thanks so much for the compliments and pin!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      It is almost acceptable to drink this salsa, Sarah! I won't tell anyone! :) I hope you love this if you try it!
      Reply

  22. Karen @ Lushious Eats says

    I'm a HUGE fan of mexican food! Love this salsa it looks amazing! I actually made some salsa last weekend that I'm going to feature soon - so delicious. I can honestly eat chips and salsa everyday lol! Lovveeeeee!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I could definitely eat chips and salsa everyday, it's just so tasty! And this home-made version is so easy to whip up!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much for the kind words, Olivia! This salsa was a huge hit at my house...it serves 8 people, yet my husband and I gobbled it up in about three days!
      Reply

  24. Ashley says

    Chips and salsa is one of our favorite snacks! And one of the best parts about going out for mexican! I'll take a giant bowl of this please!!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Chips and salsa are definitely the best part of Mexican food! And now that I can make it at home, no need to fight the crowds!
      Reply

  25. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    I judge whether I frequent a Mexican restaurant by its salsa. And if I am fine tuning my selection, how careful they are in preparing their beans in a tasty way. Sooooo looking at this recipe, it looks like it might fit the bill. And its easy enough to tailor a bit. Great!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Sounds like you're just like me, Carol! That's how I judge a Mexican restaurant, too. This salsa definitely fits my expectations...full of flavor and so easy to make!
      Reply

  27. Sarah @ Running On Brie says

    I seriously think making your own fresh salsa does WONDERS for any Mexican meal. And it's so ridiculously easy! This salsa looks really great- and totally agree that restaurant style is always a good choice. YUM!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Yes, I totally agree with you, Sarah! Fresh salsa is a million times better than the store bought kind, and so easy! I'm kicking myself for not trying it earlier!
      Reply

  28. Isadora says

    I am a total sucker for Mexican food, in fact I'm about to go out to lunch at a Mexican restaurant that has a salad bar with about ten different kinds! It is heaven! For some reason, I don't seem to make my own salsa too often, and I think that needs to change asap! I love all the flavors in here and know that this salsa would not stay around too long at my house!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much, Izzy! Now that I know how easy salsa is to make, I've been whipping this up quite often. So tasty, fresh, and beats going out for Mexican food every now and then!
      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks so much, Jocelyn! I was amazed at how flavorful this salsa is. And I may never go back to a store bought one again!
      Reply

  30. Brenn says

    I’m hoping to make this salsa using fresh Roma tomatoes. Can you tell me possibly...approximate how many would I need? And also, the green chilis...how much of that would I need if I did choose to use fresh tomatoes? Thanks in advance!
    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Hi Brenn! I would use 2-3 roma tomatoes, depending on the size. As for the green chilis, you could use the entire can, or less. It's really up to you! Just beware that the salsa may be more watery by using fresh tomatoes because of the juices. Still delicious, though! :) Hope you enjoy!
      Reply

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