This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Nothing tastes better than fresh homemade salsa! This restaurant style salsa is SO easy to make, much less expensive than buying it in the store and customizable to suit your exact tastes. Get this BEST EVER salsa recipe right now, grab your ingredients (likely already in your pantry) and serve it up with your favorite chips or tacos.
Easy Restaurant Style Salsa
Easy Restaurant Style SalsaHave you ever gone to a restaurant and been served salsa and chips and realize, just as your meal is coming, you aren’t hungry anymore because you’ve devoured so much of the them? Same. And same thing will happen at home with this delicious restaurant-style salsa! It’s delicious and fresh tasting (all while using mostly pantry staples) and a CINCH to put together. Seriously it takes like 5 minutes from start to finish. Serve as is, or pair with your favorite taco recipe (we’ve got a few you might like).
Ingredients Needed for Salsa
- Canned Diced Tomato (this is essential for that restaurant style taste)
- Canned Green Chiles
- Garlic Clove
- White Vinegar
- Tomato Paste
- Red Onion
- Diced or Grape Tomatoes (you can omit if you don’t have them, but this gives the salsa a bit of a fresh feeling!)
- Salt
How to Make Salsa in a Blender
This explanation is going to be short and sweet because all you need to do to make restaurant style salsa in the blender is place all of the ingredients in the blender and give it a few pulses! That’s it. Depending on what type of blender to use, just start off with two pulses and then check to see the consistency. Keep pulsing with the blender until it is the right consistency for you. I found 3 pulses were enough to blend my salsa! This can also be done in a food processor.
Do I need to use fresh tomatoes for salsa?
NO! While you definitely can, we made a version that comes together so quickly, doesn’t require fresh tomatoes, and tastes just like the restaurant salsa you know and love!
Customize your Salsa
This recipe is pretty basic. Feel free to add in some other flavors or ingredients to customize it the way you want. Here are some ideas:
- You can use fresh tomatoes if you have an abundance on hand: now, it will taste less like restaurant style salsa, but can be pretty darned delicious.
- Add in fresh herbs: grab some fresh cilantro!
- Add in some spices: have some fun with some smokey flavor with either smoked chipotle peppers or even smoked paprika. Other spices? Cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and garlic powder!
- Want a kick? Add fresh jalapeño! Remember, the seeds are the spiciest part. Know your audience, too.
- Make it different: add in roasted red peppers for a unique twist.
- Add in some bonus items: you can add fruit, such as pineapple or mango for a tropical twist.
- Brighten it up: once you make it, taste and if you want a little something extra, add a little fresh lime juice.
How long will homemade salsa last?
It should last for roughly one week in the fridge in a sealed container!
Serving salsa:
It goes great with so many things, like our Homemade Guacamole, 15-Minute Chicken Tacos, Two-Ingredient Salsa Chicken (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker), and as dressing on our Taco Salad!
If you like this salsa dip recipe, check out these other appetizer dips we love:
- Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- Healthy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
- Roasted Eggplant Dip
- 5-Ingredient Buffalo Chicken Baked Hummus Dip [VIDEO]
- 7 Layer Taco Dip
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Hummus Dip
- Jalapeño Popper Dip (Options for Dairy and Dairy-Free)
- Southwestern Hummus Dip
RESTAURANT STYLE SALSA
Ingredients
- 1-28 ounce can diced tomato
- 1-4 ounce. can green chiles
- 1 garlic clove roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes or diced whole tomato
- 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender (or food processor). Pulse 2-4 times, until salsa has reached your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more vinegar or salt, if needed.
- Serve, or store for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Avoid puree'ing the salsa completely - think if you want it more smooth or chunky!
- I like to chill it before serving!
- This recipe was originally published in 2015, and updated with new photos in 2020.
I would love this! I’d make smoothies, salsas, nut butters, and most importantly coconut butter (it’s so expensive to buy at the store)!
Nut butter, pesto, and more!!!
I love smoothies for breakfast and it would be amazing to have a blender that actually works well!
I would love to have this blender to make salsa, soups, dips, and smoothies!!! Thank you for the chance to win a a great product!!
A good blender makes all the difference! This baby would be perfect for making nut butters! Or this delicious salsa! 😉
Salsa, Smoothies and Ice cream just from frozen bananas! THX!
love you blog / newsletter.
thanks so much for all the info
BLENDTEC .. nothing more needs said .. I would love one !!
I am getting married in June and I would love the blender as we begin our life together 🙂 I am beginning to follow a paleo lifestyle full time and want to be able to make as much as my own food as possible, including nut butters, coconut butter and SALSA! It would be a dreaaaaam to get this blender!
Guacamole and other soup/sauce recipes!
I would love a new blender!! I would love to see some frozen fruit sorbets 🙂
I use it to make amazing smoothies and purred soups. My weak crappy blender finally fizzled out last weeK! I need a new one!
I’d love to make my own nut butters and dips.
I nees a nee blender so bad I’ll use it for everything!
My blender broke recently and i miss making homemade salad dressing, soups and smoothies in it. I would LOVE this blender. Subbing in the immersion blender while blender-les has been making giant messes in my kitchen. This blender would get so much love in my kitchen.
I would use this blender to A) make your salsa, B) grind my own nut butters, C) crush some SFH protein smoothies, D) blend batters, doughs, soups, sauces, dips, etc. etc. etc. and E) sleep with like a teddy bear 😀
I’d use the blender to make delicious, healthy smoothies and warming soups!
I would make nut buttes and grain free breads Muffins. And pizza dough. Anything veggie too
Who couldnt use a new blender!! We’ve recently adapted our diet to a paleo diet to help with my husband’s health issues. So many of the recipes that we have found and LOVE call for a good blender! We have one… but it’s just not making the cut! Not to mention.. salsa is our favorite!
would love a blendtec
Would use it mainly for smoothies and soup,salad dressings….just need to eat more healthy.