Homemade Salsa

Yumna Jawad

Updated Aug 31, 2025

5 from 9 votes

Learn to make a homemade salsa with this easy step-by-step tutorial recipe. Ready to enjoy in 5 minutes and made in a blender for ease!

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
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2

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How to Make Salsa.
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Make Salsa From Scratch

Here is a quick and easy tutorial for making fresh homemade salsa, aka pico de gallo, in the food processor. If you want to learn how to make salsa, I would say it’s almost as easy as twisting open the jar that has been sitting in your kitchen cabinet for ages. And make sure to try it with my Chicken Fajitas, Breakfast Tacos or Taco Stuffed Peppers

Homemade salsa, especially when made with ripe, in-season tomatoes and other fresh ingredients has the best flavor, and no added sugar or other unnecessary ingredients. Plus, you control the spice level.

Happy Cooking!
– Yumna

Homemade Salsa Ingredients

  • Tomatoes: Make sure they are ripe. You can use any fresh tomatoes of choice, you’ll need about 2 pounds. Or, you can even use (28-ounce) can of drained whole peeled canned tomatoes instead.
  • Onions and garlic: Fresh is best and it’s more traditional to use white onion, but you can also use red onions.
  • Jalapeño or any fresh chili pepper to taste: I use a seeded jalapeño to control the spice. If you like things hot, keep the seeds in or swap for serrano. Poblano also works but it will be more smoky than spicy. If you want things smoky and spicy, try 2 whole chipotles in adobo.
  • Cilantro: Hate cilantro? Try parsley or the minced tops of green onions.
  • Cumin and lime juice: Gives the salsa that ‘restaurant-style’ flavor. If you don’t have cumin, a taco seasoning blend or chili powder blend could work, too.

How to Make Homemade Salsa

All ingredients in food processor.
Step 1: Place all the ingredients in a food processor.
Ingredients in food processor roughly chopped with spatula scraping down the sides.
Step 2: Pulse a few times until the ingredients are of relatively equal size. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides as necessary.
Final mixture more chopped in food processor.
Step 3: Taste and adjust the lime juice and seasonings to suit your taste and preference.

How to Make Salsa.

Homemade Salsa

Author: Yumna Jawad
5 from 9 votes
Learn how to make homemade salsa in a blender with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeño, and cilantro. This quick recipe is ready in 5 minutes!
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Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Servings6 servings
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Ingredients
  

  • 3 large tomatoes roughly chopped (look for ripe ones)
  • ½ white onion
  • 1 jalapeño seeded
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 limes juiced
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are all chopped equally. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor as necessary.
  • Taste and adjust the lime juice and seasoning, as desired.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving for best flavor, and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Equipment

Notes

Storage: Store covered in the fridge for up to one week.
Freezing Instructions: If you are planning to freeze it, puree the salsa fairly fine for the best texture after defrosting. It should last for about a year.

Nutrition

Calories: 38kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 204mg, Potassium: 439mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1493IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Did You Make This Recipe?
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Recipe Tips

  1. Adjust the amount of lime juice needed based on how ripe the tomatoes are. As tomatoes ripen they will get sweeter which may require you to add a bit more lime juice to keep things balanced. Add the amount listed in the recipe, then taste and go from there.
  2. Don’t skip the chill. This salsa gets better as it sits so make sure to chill for at least one hour before serving.
  3. Make it sweeter. If the tomatoes you’re using aren’t very ripe, you can add some granulated sugar to sweeten the salsa lightly. You only need about one to two tablespoons.
  4. Make it in a blender or chop by hand. If you don’t have a food processor, you can definitely use a blender instead, or feel free to chop everything by hand. It helps to mince the ingredients so the flavors combine really well.
  5. Be careful not to puree the mixture. Unless you have picky kids who don’t want to see any of the little onions and cilantro floating around, the presentation of salsa is better when it’s more chunky with some texture.

Recipes to Make with Homemade Salsa

Chip dipping into homemade salsa in a small bowl

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Comments

  1. Aubs says:

    This salsa is so fresh and amazing for summer. Everything I’ve made from feelgoodfoodie is great I definitely trust this mom and her wonderful food!

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      That makes me so happy to hear!

      Reply