This fresh garden salsa is a vibrant and flavorful condiment made from ripe tomatoes, onions, peppers, and fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice. Easy to make, homemade salsa is superior to anything you can buy from a jar and is a popular appetizer to enjoy as a dip with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos.
Why This Salsa is the Best
Taking advantage of the abundance of fresh garden vegetables during late summer is something I look forward to each year! I was looking to make a fresh garden salsa recipe that would do justice to garden tomatoes and taste better than commercial salsa. Mission accomplished!
Ripe fresh tomatoes, onion, green bell peppers, garlic, lime and cilantro, and jalapeno for a spiciness to your liking! Only a few ingredients that are so fresh, tasty and it explodes in your mouth!
This salsa is easy to make in the food processor and there is no cooking, no peeling or even the need to deseed your tomatoes involved! Just chop, add to the processor and puree into a chunky or smooth dip.
Bring the salsa bar home with this simple yet spectacular salsa recipe.
Fresh Garden Salsa Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make this fresh from the garden salsa:
- Fresh Tomatoes
- Green Pepper
- Red Onion
- Fresh Cilantro
- Jalapeno
- Cumin
- Lime Juice
- Salt
- Sugar
Variations
You can try different variations of this easy garden-fresh salsa recipe
- The most famous is tomato-based salsa.
- You can add fresh parsley or mint or lemon juice in a variation
- Adding avocado is another way of serving fresh garden salsa, just add the avocado before serving salsa
- Diced cucumber is the variation for those who like a green tinge
Your way of mixing and matching brings a unique taste to the table. It’s useful in place of your ingredients before throwing them in the blender.
How to Make Garden Salsa
- Dice fresh tomatoes. Put aside.
- Cut the green peppers.
- Chop the onion and cilantro.
- Pulse tomatoes, jalapenos, salt, and garlic in a large food processor until juicy and thickened.
- Add the fresh tomatoes, onion, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. Pulse until desired texture is achieved.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and chill until ready to serve.
Tips for the Best Salsa
- Choose fresh garden vegetables and ripe tomatoes
- Aim at creating the perfect balance between spices
- Chop in equal sizes to ensure uniformity
- Let the salsa meld together in the bowl for some time before serving
- Taste before serving to adjust the level of spices
Recipe FAQs
Roma tomatoes are best due to their firmness and slender nature. Although I have used other garden tomato varieties as well including cherry tomatoes in a pinch!
Homemade salsa has a shelf life of between 1 to 3 days, depending on temperature and storage method. Leftover fresh garden salsa is best store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can freeze it but keep in mind that after unfreezing, it may become softer and watery compared to freshly make garden salsa.
I love to serve salsa with these baked homemade tortilla chips. You could also use it as a salad dressing for any salad bowl or top quesadillas, tacos or any of your Mexican food favorites.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes to Try
Fresh Garden Salsa
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh tomatoes , about 9 medium-sized tomatoes
- 1 cup green bell pepper
- 1 cup red onion
- 1 jalapeño
- 1/2 cup cilantro , loosely packed
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice , freshly squeezed
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Quarter tomatoes and cut your onion and green pepper into strips. Dice jalapeño.
- Place vegetables in large food processor. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth (or chunky depending upon how you prefer your salsa).
- Taste and add additional salt if needed.
- Store in refrigerator.
Notes
- Add more cayenne pepper or additional jalapeño for additional spiciness.
- I used Roma sized tomatoes
- Adjust salt to preference
