Restaurant Style Salsa – the best! (with Video)
Ever go out to eat just for that irresistible salsa? You won’t believe how easy it is to make restaurant style salsa at home. You’ll find that this salsa quickly becomes a staple in your fridge. Try it today!
So there’s this Mexican restaurant. It’s pretty amazing. Here’s how you know it’s amazing: Every time we go, we wait 30-45 minutes for a table. With a five-year-old and a three-year-old. And then I consume a week’s worth of calories in a single meal, topped off by a killer margarita (on the rocks, sugar rim).
And their salsa. Oh, my — their salsa. I could literally drink the stuff. But I don’t – obviously. Because….chips. So there’s another week’s worth of calories.
But hey, you gotta live a little, and this place is certainly a splurge in terms of calories. It’s well worth it, though. However, since it’s clearly not an every day type thing, it was pretty necessary to at least come close to this salsa in my own kitchen. And you guys will seriously not believe how easy this is to make. SO easy. If you’re wondering how do Mexican restaurants make their salsa, you came to the right place!
I made a couple batches of this while I was testing the recipe so I texted my neighbor, Julie. I’m always pawning food off on my neighbors but oddly enough, they don’t seem to mind. Anyways, I texted and asked if she wanted some salsa.
Julie: “No, I’m really picky about salsa, I only like it at Mexican Village.” <— That’s the restaurant we like too.
Me: “YOU HAVE NO FAITH IN ME WHATSOEVER. Won’t someone in your family eat it? This batch is too spicy for me.” <—or something like that.
Julie: “Oh, Jeff will eat it, he loves salsa.”
So I drop it off, with chips…of course.
Later that day:
Julie: “I actually like it! I’m normally not a fan, but this is good!”
Me: I don’t really remember what I said. It was probably mostly emojis. But when someone says they don’t like something, and then they try it and they do like it? Pretty much the best thing ever.
About this restaurant style salsa
So here’s how you make this salsa:
Throw everything in the blender or food processor.
Blend.
Stuff your face with chips and restaurant style salsa. That’s pretty much all there is to it. It’s SO EASY. I’m confident you can handle it. I don’t know if it’s authentic but I’m going to authentically stuff my face with it.
I’m teaming up with Red Gold® for a couple recipes this year and for this first recipe, they sent me their tomatoes and a can of their competitor’s tomatoes. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Pretty clear difference, right? I mean, what is that spot on one of the competitors tomatoes? Gross. Which would you rather eat? Last year, I had the opportunity to meet the folks behind Red Gold and learn more about the fourth-generation family-owned company. They’ve been growing tomatoes for over 70 years and now are non GMO Project Verified and their cans feature non-BPA/BPS liners. Something else that I found really interesting on my visit to the Red Gold facilities was that they are taking steps to become landfill free by 2017. Pretty impressive, right?
I almost didn’t want to put those beauties into my blender, but….chips. Salsa.
Enjoy! Margarita optional. Sorta.
Here’s the short version of how to make this restaurant style salsa!
- Roughly chop onion, garlic and jalapeño.
- Add to a blender or a food processor with the rest of the ingredients and pulse until ingredients are combined and all about the same size.
- Pour into a container that has an airtight lid. This salsa will taste even better after it sits for about 30 minutes in the fridge!
Used in this recipe:
Craving more dips suitable for chips?
You’re not alone.
- Chipotle Salsa — similar to the restaurant salsa but with the smoky flavor of chipotle
- Pico de Gall0 — fresh tomato salsa
- Citrus Salsa — really good on fish tacos, too!
- Healthy Southwestern Creamy Black Bean Dip
- Stovetop Spinach Dip with Sundried Tomatoes
- Two Ingredient Cranberry Salsa
- Homemade Salsa Verde (so delicious, much better than store bought!)
- Herbed Feta Dip
- Roasted Cauliflower and Cheddar Dip
- Broccoli and Bacon Beer Cheese Dip
- Hot Caprese Dip Recipe
- Hummus Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Watermelon Salsa Recipe from Reluctant Entertainer
Restaurant Style Salsa
Ever go out to eat just for that irresistible salsa? You won’t believe how easy it is to make restaurant style salsa at home.
Ingredients
- one can (28 ounces) Red Gold peeled whole tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 jalapeno (seeds removed if desired to decrease spiciness), roughly chopped
- 1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves and stems, torn
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar or agave nectar
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, pulse and blend until combined, scraping down sides as needed. You don’t want it completely smooth, but all large chunks should be gone.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
- If you don’t love garlic – omit garlic cloves. For a more subtle garlic flavor, omit garlic cloves and use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Serving size: 2 tablespoons.
- Nutrition information does not include chips.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 2 tablespoonsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 3Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 34mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
RachelCooks.com sometimes provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietitian. Please consult a medical professional for any specific nutrition, diet, or allergy advice.
This post was updated on 1/8/18 with a video and new images. See below for a couple of the old images!
35 Comments on “Restaurant Style Salsa – the best! (with Video)”
If you get the chance you should try a seasoning blend called “Salsa” available from Olde Westport. It adds great flavor to homemade salsa. Available from their website.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Just discovered RachelCooks – love the salsa recipe and air cooker french fries – looking to make both soon. What brand of air cooker do you use/recommend? If you publish a weekly recipe, please sign me up!
Aww, thank you so much! I don’t really really love my air fryer so I don’t recommend it, but I’d just take a look at reviews and go by that. If you want to sign up for my emails, you can do that here. Thank you so much!!!
This recipe has been sitting on my “to make” list for some time now. My only regret is that I didn’t make this easy and yummy salsa sooner!! Please do yourself a favor and make this salsa! I will be making this to bring to parties when we are allowed to get together again!
So glad you liked it! It’s one of my favorites, too!
I made this for Super Bowl Sunday. It was great! I made it on Saturday, but forgot limes. I added lime juice on Sunday and it was a great addition. I added an extra jalapeno and extra garlic. So, there’s plenty of room to customize this salsa. One other change that I’ll try next time is to withhold some of the canned tomato juice. I just dumped the whole can in. We generally like our salsa a little thicker, so next time I’ll start with less, then add as necessary.
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment with your adaptations!
Try adding a tsp or two of tomato paste next time. It’s my secret ingredient that makes salsa perfect!
Thanks for the tip!
Loved this recipe.
So glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
This has easily become the best salsa we have ever made! And we make a lot! Today I had some left ever as well as left over grilled chickens. We fork shredded heated through in the salsa and the soccer team ate tacos with it like it was going out of style!!
I’m so happy to hear that! I love it with shredded chicken, too. Sometimes I cook chicken in the Instant Pot with a bunch of the salsa and then shred it. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
I have always wanted to try making homemade salsa!
You would love it!
Looks like a legit Mexican restaurant salsa!!
Thanks!
Yes, please! Blend and EAT! YUM!
So easy and delicious!
This salsa looks amazing and easy. I can’t wait to try it! I’m also super picky about salsa and can’t find a premade one that I like- this looks like a great solution. I swear I could live on chips and salsa!
I hope you love this recipe! It’s just like the restaurants serve.
You converted someone…What a compliment! I wish I was your neighbor. I’m a sucker when it comes to salsas!
I’ve been a fan of Red Gold’s tomatoes for quite some time, so good! And restaurant style salsa is the best, yours looks awesome. Margarita definitely NOT optional! ;)
This looks just as yummy as any salsa I have had at a restaurant!
LOL! I love your instructions: blend and then stuff your face. Yep, I can do that! Looks like the perfect salsa!
Isn’t it funny how easy restaurant style salsa is but it’s only yummy with great tomatoes! This looks like my kind of salsa!
“I don’t really remember what I said. It was probably mostly emojis. But when someone says they don’t like something, and then they try it and they do like it? Pretty much the best thing ever.” <——- crying laughing face emoji!
That is so me! I have an unhealthy emoji addiction. I also have an unhealthy Mexican food addiction and now after reading your post all I want to do is have Taco Tuesday. All day. I also have a *very healthy* canned tomato addiction and I love Red Gold! Have you tried their diced tomatoes with cilantro?? It's SO SO SO GOOD!
What a beautiful salsa recipe Rachel!! Making this soon!!
I never thought about adding sugar to mine
Perfect timing! I want to make a new salsa recipe for next weekend’s Super Bowl feast!! Great looking salsa! Can’t wait to make it!
I am ready for summer salsa season! Chips, salsa and Margheritas!!!
I’m going to take your advice that this salsa is that good and I’m going to make it soon – maybe for the Super Bowl!
Girl, your photos are rocking! Love the vibrancy in them…teach me your ways, please!!!! My tomatoes look pathetic. And I love that you removed the competitor label…me, I just put it all out there. LOL! Salsa this easy is perfect for munching on any day of the week. Although, I don’t think chips are allowed on this new eating habit I’m trying out…but salsa and eggs works!!!
WHOA @ those pictures! That is CRAZY!
We eat salsa like it’s going out of style in this house, and I am ALWAYS looking for a new recipe to try…this is a MUST make! Pinned!