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Home / Holidays and Events / 4th of July

5 Minute Restaurant Salsa

4.41
/5
5 minutes
303 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 04/20/2016

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you’ve ever tasted!  It takes just 5 minutes to make, and it’s sure to “wow” anyone you make it for!

Who else loves chips and salsa?  I figured as much… it’s such a classic snack!  I love salsa when it’s fresh and smooth, with small pieces of tomato, onion, jalapeno, with cilantro and lime juice.  Bright and fresh with a kick, as the best salsa’s are!

5 Minute Restaurant Salsa | The Chunky Chef | Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted! So easy to make and it's sure to "wow" anyone you make it for!

This recipe is ridiculously simple to make, just throw all the ingredients in your food processor or blender, process it, and ta-da!  Amazing salsa 😀

When I was pregnant with my son, I was completely addicted to Chili’s salsa and chips.  I wanted to eat there ALL the time, and even when I wasn’t eating there I was trying to convince my husband to stop there on his way home to pick up some take out lol.  He was always less than pleased.  I still love their salsa, but since it’s not really cost effective to buy it, or go out to eat all the time, I figured that I would just find a way to make it at home 🙂

This salsa isn’t exactly a copycat of Chili’s version… it’s a little thicker and has more cilantro taste to it… but want to know a secret?  I think I like it better!  I know, blasphemy!

Jarred salsa can be good, but let me tell you, making it fresh… whew… you won’t want jarred anymore.  Fresh blows that out of the water.  Plus if you’re into canning, I’m sure you could can this salsa yourself and have it fresh year round 🙂  You could also freeze it 🙂

Okay back to the salsa!

Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted!

Just gather your ingrediets, of course you don’t need to take a picture of them like I did lol.  Roughly chop your onion, and jalapeno.  Add the whole can of tomatoes, including juice, your chopped veggies, roughly chopped garlic, cumin, salt, sugar, a handful or more of cilantro, and juice some limes into your food processor.

Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted!

Pulse it a couple of times, then turn it on and process until it’s your desired consistency.  I like mine fairly smooth 🙂

Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted!

To let this salsa have the best flavor, put it in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  This lets the flavors really combine and get good and acquainted 🙂  And as a bonus, I like the taste of cold salsa, so that makes it even better.

Now just grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and sit down on the couch with some Netflix or your favorite movie… or hey, make this for Cinco de Mayo 😉

Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted!

5 Minute Restaurant Salsa | The Chunky Chef | Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted! So easy to make and it's sure to "wow" anyone you make it for!

You know you want that chip I’m holding there… just imagine all those bright, salty, savory, fresh flavors.  Mmmmm!!!  So seriously, make this.  It’s the best salsa you’ll ever taste!

Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted! So easy to make and it's sure to "wow" anyone you make it for!

Recipe adapted from Averie Cooks

Helpful Tools for This Recipe:

  • CUISINART FOOD PROCESSOR – I use this food processor for everything, including making this recipe year round!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

5 Minute Restaurant Salsa | The Chunky Chef | Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted! So easy to make and it's sure to "wow" anyone you make it for!

Restaurant Salsa

4.41 from 213 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 18
Servings: 12 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted!

Ingredients

  • 28 ounce can whole plum tomatoes including juice
  • 1 small white onion peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 - 2 jalepeno peppers seeded and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 to 1 teaspoon granulated sugar optional, and to taste
  • 1 - 2 handfuls cilantro I prefer 2
  • About 3 tablespoons lime juice

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to food processor in the order listed. Pulse a few times to break up the large pieces, then process until texture is as smooth as desired.
  • Taste the salsa and based on personal preference, adjust as necessary.
  • Transfer to airtight container and let sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or 1 day for best flavor.
  • Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

** I remove the seeds from my jalapeno peppers to reduce the heat level. This way you'll get all the fresh jalapeno flavor and some heat, but not a crazy amount of heat.
** I also add the teaspoon of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and I think it heightens the other flavors.
** If you'd like, you could stir in some corn kernels, black beans, or chopped tomatoes.
** Recipe makes approximately 4 cups.

Video

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
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5 Minute Restaurant Salsa | The Chunky Chef | Bright and fresh, this salsa is the best you've ever tasted! So easy to make and it's sure to "wow" anyone you make it for! | http://thechunkychef.com

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Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Naomi B says

    Posted on 6/11 at 1:43 pm

    I will NEVER buy jarred salsa again! Going to put some in the freezer and test how it comes out. Now I’m off to make your KILLER sloppy joes!

    Reply
  2. Darlene says

    Posted on 4/11 at 3:15 pm

    Hi Amanda! This salsa looks great! Can you use fresh tomatoes? You wouldn’t get the juice like you would in a can of tomatoes. Just wondering.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 4/11 at 9:25 pm

      I haven’t tested this specific recipe with fresh tomatoes, but I would estimate that using 8-12 roma or garden tomatoes would work well. I would blend as directed, then check the consistency. If you’d like it a bit wetter, feel free to blend in some water, vegetable broth or tomato juice/sauce 🙂

      Reply
  3. Fay HAMILTON says

    Posted on 3/27 at 6:59 pm

    How long does this Salsa last in fridge. Fay

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 3/27 at 10:27 pm

      I would estimate around a week 🙂

      Reply
  4. ori says

    Posted on 3/8 at 4:09 am

    how long does this stay good in the fridge? can it be frozen?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 3/8 at 9:07 am

      I would estimate about a week in the refrigerator, and yes, it can be frozen.

      Reply
  5. Ryan says

    Posted on 2/8 at 3:13 pm

    One of my favorite salsas to make. Friends and family love it!

    Reply
  6. Veronica says

    Posted on 12/9 at 12:36 pm

    Can this salsa be canned for later use? if so how do you recommend doing so?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/10 at 8:46 pm

      I do not have enough expertise in canning to give advice on this, and haven’t tested canning this recipe. I believe some other readers have, but I can’t be certain.

      Reply
  7. Jacky says

    Posted on 11/24 at 11:18 pm

    This was great! So easy and very good. I was impressed. Yay me!

    Reply
  8. KM says

    Posted on 10/27 at 3:55 pm

    I made it! although it didnt come out as bright red as your picture..i have it in the fridge and will try it later

    Reply
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