Restaurant Style Salsa Recipe

Introduction

This restaurant-style salsa offers a smoky, vibrant flavor perfect for chips, tacos, or as a zesty topping for your favorite dishes. With charred vegetables and fresh ingredients, it delivers a homemade taste that’s both fresh and bold.

Ingredients

• 8 roma tomatoes
• 2 jalapeños
• 1-2 Serrano peppers
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup cilantro (roughly chopped)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your broiler to 500°F and arrange the tomatoes, jalapeños, Serrano peppers, onion, and garlic on a large, rimmed pan.
2. Step 2: Place the pan under the broiler and turn the vegetables every 2 to 3 minutes, until the skins begin to split or blacken to your liking.
3. Step 3: Transfer all the charred vegetables to a powerful blender or food processor. Add cilantro, lime juice, salt, and sugar if using. Blend until nearly smooth.
4. Step 4: Serve the salsa immediately if you prefer it warm, or refrigerate for about an hour to enjoy it chilled.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the number of Serrano peppers based on your preferred heat level.
• For a smokier flavor, char the vegetables over an open flame instead of the broiler.
• If you like a chunkier salsa, pulse the blender instead of blending continuously.
• Swap lime juice with lemon juice for a slightly different citrus twist.

Storage

Store the salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave brings back some warmth.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salsa less spicy?

Yes, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños and Serrano peppers before roasting, or reduce the number of peppers used to lower the heat.

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?

Fresh roma tomatoes work best for this recipe because of their firm texture and natural sweetness. Canned tomatoes may make the salsa too watery and less vibrant in flavor.

Restaurant Style Salsa Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 75 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: About 2 cups 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Restaurant Style Salsa recipe delivers a vibrant and smoky flavor by roasting fresh roma tomatoes, jalapeños, serrano peppers, onion, and garlic under a high broiler before blending. The salsa is perfectly balanced with fresh lime juice, cilantro, salt, and a hint of sugar, making it ideal as a dip, condiment, or topping for your favorite Mexican dishes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 8 roma tomatoes
• 2 jalapeños
• 1–2 serrano peppers
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves

Additional Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cilantro (roughly chopped)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Broiler: Heat your oven broiler to 500°F (260°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
2. Roast Vegetables: Arrange the roma tomatoes, jalapeños, serrano peppers, onion halves, and garlic cloves on a large pan and place it under the broiler. Turn the vegetables every 2 to 3 minutes to ensure even roasting until the skins split or blacken slightly, enhancing the smoky flavor.
3. Blend Ingredients: Transfer the roasted vegetables to a powerful blender or food processor. Add the roughly chopped cilantro, freshly squeezed lime juice, salt, and optional sugar. Blend until the salsa reaches a nearly smooth consistency, leaving a bit of texture if desired.
4. Serve: Enjoy the salsa immediately while warm for a more vibrant taste, or let it cool for about an hour in the refrigerator to serve chilled, which enhances the flavors and makes it refreshing.

Notes

• Adjust the number of serrano peppers according to your preferred heat level; 1 for mild, 2 for spicier salsa.
• Removing seeds from the jalapeños and serranos will reduce the heat if desired.
• The optional sugar balances acidity and can be omitted for a more tangy salsa.
• Use a powerful blender or food processor to achieve the best texture.
• Store leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: restaurant style salsa, roasted salsa, smoky salsa, homemade salsa, fresh salsa, Mexican sauce, spicy salsa