A spicy, easy and fast jalapeño salsa that is so versatile you can enjoy it with any dish.
If you open my parents' refrigerator it is a guarantee you will find some sort of jar, Tupperware or other container filled with spicy homemade salsa. Whether fresh, pickled or in salsa form my parents have to have chiles with all of their meals. They take special pride in knowing how to use a variety of chiles to make all sorts of delicious, fiery salsas. Some people know which wine pairs best with different foods, my parents know which salsa will liven up and complement a dish.
Although I strive to always have fresh homemade salsa in my refrigerator like my parents, I am not as consistent. However, if there is salsa in my fridge, it is almost certain the one that will be in there is my mom's "Salsa de Chile Jalapeño." This jalapeño salsa is super easy to make, I always have the ingredients on hand and it goes with almost anything.
I grew up with this jalapeño salsa and now I love making it for my husband (and eventually for my kids once they are a little older).
How to Make My Mom's Jalapeño Salsa
To begin, boil two jalapeños and one medium Roma tomato until soft. This usually takes about 10 minutes.
Next, cut the stems off of the jalapeños and peel the tomato. Place them in a food processor or blender with ⅛ of an onion, a teaspoon of cilantro, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, a pinch of pepper, and salt to taste. (You can also boil the onion with the tomato and jalapeños and it will change the taste of the salsa.)
Then, add ⅛ cup of water (use the same water where you boiled the jalapeños and tomato for extra flavor) and pulse until blended but still chunky. I always start with less water and add more if needed. I am also careful not to over-pulse to avoid getting a mushy salsa.
That's it! This pairs great with everything, I especially like it mixed in chicken noodle soup, on eggs, and in ground beef tacos or taco salad.
I hope you like it as much as I do!
Please leave me a comment below if you make this or tag me on Instagram @everydaylatina.
Check out these other delicious salsa recipes:
Recipe
Jalapeño Salsa (Salsa de Chile Jalapeño)
Ingredients
- 2 jalapeños
- 1 medium Roma tomato
- ⅛ onion
- 1 teaspoon cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch ground pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Boil two jalapeños and one medium Roma tomato for about 10 minutes, until soft.
- Cut the stems off of the jalapeños and peel the tomato.
- Place jalapeños, tomato, onion (see notes), cilantro, garlic powder, pepper and salt in a food processor or blender.
- Add ⅛ - ¼ cup of the water used to boil the jalapeños and tomato.
- Pulse 4-5 times until blended but still chunky.
- Check the consistency of the salsa and add more water or pulse more until chunky, not mushy, consistency is achieved.
Notes
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My Amazon Picks
Leanne
This was definitely fast and easy and I had all the necessary ingredients. I had it on tacos, a taco salad and chicken already. I can't wait to put it on other things.
Gemma
Hi Leanne, that's wonderful. I do love how versatile it is.
Sarah
I made this for a party, it didn't last 30 minutes! Plus it was so easy to make! My go to for parties and Mexican night now!
Gemma
That's amazing! Thank you for trying it.
Rob
Simple, authentic and delicious! What more can you ask for?
Gemma
So glad you think so! Thank you!
Corey S Greff
Do you take the seeds out of the jalapenos?
Gemma
Hi Corey, I do not but you can if you want to decrease the heat.
Raquel
Could this recipe be canned? Pressure or water bath?
Thanks.
Gemma
Hi Raquel, I have never tried it so I really can't say for sure. So sorry about that.
Joyce
This is my current favorite salsa recipe!! It’s so easy and so delicious, and I love when I get an extra spicy jalapeño!! I may try grilling or roasting everything for a different flavor!
Gemma
Hi Joyce, that is wonderful! I am so glad you like it. Roasting and grilling the ingredients is delicious, adds a great smokiness to the salsa.
Kathy
Can I make this without the onion? Perhaps subbing onion powder or a small amount of chopped chives? What is your suggestion and how much should we add if either of these substitutions work. We are not onion fans (the crunch) even though we like the flavor!
Gemma
Hi Kathy, yes you can certainly sub onion powder. Also, there are times when we just leave the onion out for a variation in taste. The salsa still has a great flavor without it.
April
This salsa is simply but delicious. I added half a lime, and an extra jalapeño. Quick and easy.
everydaylatina
Hi April, that's wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Jay
BEST SALSA EVER!!! I mad this for my sister for her birthday and she loved it. Don't tell her i think i ate more than she did!
everydaylatina
Wow, thank you! So glad you guys liked it. Thank you for trying it and for the comment.
Kim
Absolutely wonderful salsa. I am proudly a food snob and this one gets a 10! I so appreciate this recipe. It will be showing up at the tables of friends and family.
I made this as an appetizer for my family today. They loved it as well. Thank you for making me look good;)
everydaylatina
Thank you Kim, for trying it out and for the comment. I’m so happy you and your family liked it!
Kara Dalisay
Delicious! Fresh and easy, this comes together quickly in the food processor. We served it with beef tacos and it was perfect!
everydaylatina
Thank you Kara. I am so glad you like it. It is definitely my favorite salsa.
Regine Lopez
So yummy 😋 thank you for the recipe!! It was so fast and easy and I did a Carne Asada and one of the real quick salsa because I had a ton of jalapeños and roma tomatoes on hand.
everydaylatina
That sounds delicious! So happy you liked it!
Chanel
How do you peel a tomato after boiling it?
everydaylatina
The tomato peel will start falling off as the tomato boils. You can just use your hands and pull it off and it will be come right off.
Chanel
"Cut the stems off of the jalapeños"
How do you cut stems off a jalapeno?
everydaylatina
Hi Chanel, the jalapeños will be very soft after boiling so you can use the back of a spoon or a knife to just slice off the ends. You can also slice the stems off before boiling if you prefer.
Chanel
Thank You very much for the reply. May Heaven bless you this holiday season my friend.
everydaylatina
Thank you so much, you as well.
Chanel
How do you slice the stem off a jalapeno?
Can I make this salsa spicy?
everydaylatina
The two jalapeños should add a good level of spice to the salsa. However, you can always add a serrano for more spice.
Anna Perez
We grew up with this exact recipe. My moms go to salsa! We always had salsa on the table for ALL meals. You can add a pinch of cumin for a little extra depth. Love it!!
everydaylatina
Hi Anna, my mom's go to salsa too! It's just so easy and goes well with so many dishes.
Elva
It proved to be sensational with my family. They are requesting I make a double batch next time. Easy and Fast indeed!
everydaylatina
Elva, that's so great! I have to always make a double batch at my house too.
Dale
Can this recipe be frozen after prepared ? I have many more peppers than I can use right now and would like to preserve somehow. Thank you.
everydaylatina
Hi Dale, I have never frozen it so I honestly am not sure. However, I know many people do freeze their salsas so I am assuming this one would freeze well too.
Kelly
Is the amount of 1 teaspoon of cilantro correct? The pictures shows a lot more cilantro than this recipe calls for. I can’t imagine making a fresh salsa with only a teaspoon of fresh cilantro.
everydaylatina
Hi Kelly, you are so right, the picture shows more like a tablespoon of cilantro. I sometimes eyeball it so it's my mistake. However, we do not add too much cilantro to the salsa because the flavor is so strong and we don't want it to overpower. You can add however much you prefer though, my recommendation is no more than a tablespoon though.
Marnie
This was the best salsa I have ever made and that says a lot! I consider myself a salsa connoisseur and travel to Mexico yearly, so I know my salsa! I think the boiling really makes a difference...my hispanic friend told me that she boils her as well but likes mine and I roast mine lol I have to say, the boiling makes such a difference! Thank you so much for sharing this gem!
everydaylatina
Marnie, your message means the world to me. Yes the boiling gives the salsa a different flavor and I love it. We make salsa with roasted vegetables but it is a completely different flavor, so I would consider them two totally different salsas. My parents are like you, salsa connoisseurs. They have so many more recipes for salsa that I haven't even shared. I have to get on that!
Mark Behm
I'm a salsa freak and this is my new favorite. It's very easy to scale for more, which I will definitely do. Thank you.
everydaylatina
I love that! Mark, I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for the comment.
Marisol
This is how I remember my mom making salsa. I was looking for different recipes but I happened to come across yours so I think it was meant to be and just do it this way this weekend.
everydaylatina
That's so great! I love anything my mom makes. How did it turn out for you?
Monica chaney
This is a must try! I will get the items this week and give it a shot! Your recipies look so wonderful!
everydaylatina
Thanks Monica! This is the salsa that is always available in our fridge and my parents' fridge. So easy to make and goes so well with just about everything. Let me know what you think.
Courtney
Oh my, my husband would love this! My father in law is growing fresh jalapeños, so this gives me a great idea of what to make with them. Thank you!
everydaylatina
Oh that's great! I hope your husband likes it.
Amy
I have a few jalapeno plants in my garden and am always looking for ways to use them. This looks like it would be so good on an omelette or burger! I printed it. Thanks!
everydaylatina
Oh definitely, it would taste great on an omelette or burger. I hope you like it.
Hillary
I love this kind of food! Thanks for the recipe. Looks awesome.
everydaylatina
Thank you!
Beth
This looks pretty easy to make and delicious!
everydaylatina
It is super easy and goes great with so many things.
Brandy
Yum, sounds awesome! We love homemade salsa. Pinning to try later 🙂
everydaylatina
Wonderful, thank you!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups
My mom always has fresh salsa as well, makes me think of home. I am going to give this recipe a try!
everydaylatina
Hope you like it!