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    Meals » Recipes » Appetizers

    Homemade Salsa Recipe with Canned Tomatoes

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 20, 2022 · Modified: May 3, 2023 by Dee

    Make Easy Homemade Salsa with canned tomatoes and fresh ingredients in the blender. Pair this simple recipe with your favorite Mexican foods or serve with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer or snack. This mild restaurant style salsa goes with just about anything! via @meamel

    This Easy Homemade Salsa recipe with canned tomatoes and fresh ingredients takes minutes to make in the blender. Restaurant style salsa at home! Pair this easy salsa recipe with your favorite Mexican foods or serve with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer or snack. This mild salsa goes with just about anything!

    Jump to Recipe -
    dip tortilla chip in homemade blender salsa from canned tomatoes
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Salsa with Canned Tomatoes
    • How to Store Blender Salsa
    • Recipe Variations and Tips
    • Recipe FAQ
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Here in Arizona, we have tons of amazing Mexican restaurants where you can practically make a meal out of chips and salsa alone. I've tried a lot of store bought salsas, but they just don't taste the same.

    So, I started making this easy homemade salsa with canned diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes in the blender/food processor. Blender salsa with canned tomatoes tastes just like salsa from our favorite Mexican restaurant. My family thinks my restaurant quality salsa is the BEST salsa recipe ever!

    Using canned tomatoes is definitely the key to this easy recipe. I use fresh tomatoes in my fresh salsa, Spicy Pico de Gallo, but canned is perfect for this blender salsa recipe. Plus, you can make this chip dip all year long -- no need to wait for garden fresh tomatoes!

    Serve the salsa with your favorite tortilla chips and Homemade Guacamole, Instant Pot Carnitas, or Salsa Chicken tacos for your own fiesta or Cinco de Mayo! We also love it with Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas and ground beef tacos.

    canned tomatoes, onion, lime, jalapeno pepper, cilantro and red onion ingredients

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy homemade salsa recipe. Best of all, you probably have most of them in your fridge or pantry. If not, you can find them in your grocery store or farmers market.

    • Canned tomatoes -- I use a mix of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes for different texture
    • Red onion -- adds flavor and color, but you can use a white onion or yellow onion instead
    • Garlic cloves -- adds flavor and texture, but you can use garlic powder in a pinch
    • Fresh cilantro -- Leave it out if you don't like it, but it really adds authentic flavor
    • Jalapeño pepper -- I use 1 for a mild flavor, but you can add more fresh jalapenos to suit your tastes
    • Lime juice -- squeeze from a whole lime or use store bought juice
    • Sea Salt --- or kosher salt
    • Cumin, ancho chili powder -- optional but adds a deeper, smoky flavor
    • Sugar -- A pinch of sugar helps cut the acid from tomatoes

    How to Make Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

    You can use a blender or food processor to make the salsa. I recommend cutting the onion in large chunks and peeling the garlic. If you want mild salsa, remove the seeds and membrane from the jalapeño pepper first.

    If you want spicier salsa, use 2 or 3 jalapeno peppers, and leave the seeds in. You can also use different peppers. This recipe is super easy to adjust!

    chop fresh ingredients and canned tomatoes for salsa in blender

    Just place all of the ingredients in your blender or food processor. Then, squeeze the fresh lime juice on top. Place the lid on, and pulse a few times until you get the consistency you want. Pulse less for a more chunky salsa.

    Definitely taste to see if it needs more salt or sugar. Everyone's tastes are different, and I usually start out with less salt and add more if needed. Same goes with the sugar.

    You can also leave the sugar out or replace it with the sweetener of your choice. The salsa doesn't taste sweet, but the sugar helps to cut the acid from the tomatoes.

    pureed salsa in blender

    How to Store Blender Salsa

    How long does fresh homemade salsa last? This recipe makes a lot, but leftover salsa keeps well when covered or in an airtight container and refrigerated for about 2 weeks.

    Yes, you can freeze canned tomato salsa. I usually add some to a zip top freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and label the salsa before freezing.

    When frozen, salsa should keep for 4 to 6 months! Don't worry -- good salsa tastes great ever after freezing!

    overhead view of homemade blender salsa in a white serving dish with cilantro and chips

    Recipe Variations and Tips

    There are a couple ways to customize this delicious salsa to your liking.

    Spice level is up to personal preference. Keep jalapeño seeds in for a spicy salsa, or add more jalapeños for more spice. Remove the seeds of the pepper for a more mild taste. Or use Serrano peppers or Anaheim peppers. For even more heat, substitute habanero peppers for the jalapeño peppers.

    Instead of lime juice, add lemon juice, or a blend of the two. Add a teaspoon of taco seasoning for even deeper flavor in place of individual spices

    Cilantro is traditional in salsa, but if you want salsa with no cilantro, you can substitute fresh parsley, instead.

    Fresh veggies are a great option for your salsa. Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones, or use a blend of both. Green chiles, bell peppers and green onions also add fresh flavors!

    Blender salsa also makes a terrific gift for the holidays or housewarmings. Just pour some in a mason jar, and gift away!

    Recipe FAQ

    What are the best canned tomatoes for homemade salsa?

    The brand doesn't matter as long as you are using canned tomatoes without any extra seasoning. Use your favorite brand of canned tomates.

    Are fresh or canned tomatoes better for salsa?

    Canned tomatoes are perfect for restaurant-style blender salsa. If you want salsa fresca or pico de gallo, use fresh tomatoes and other fresh ingredients.

    Recipe

    red blender salsa in a white bowl

    Homemade Salsa Recipe with Canned Tomatoes

    Published by Dee
    This easy Homemade Salsa recipe with canned tomatoes and fresh ingredients takes minutes to make in the blender. Restaurant style salsa at home! Pair this easy salsa recipe with your favorite Mexican foods or serve with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer or snack. This mild salsa goes with just about anything!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 12
    Calories 37 kcal

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
    • 1 small red onion peeled and cut into large chunks
    • 2 cloves garlic peeled
    • 1 large jalapeño pepper seeded and membrane removed
    • 1 cup fresh cilantro
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or, to taste
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 lime juice of
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin optional
    • ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder optional

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor, and add lid
    • Pulse until desired consistency is reached
    • Pour into large bowl or serving bowls

    Notes

    Leave seeds in jalapeño pepper for spicier salsa. Add more to suit your tastes. Add taco seasoning instead of individual spices for more complex, deeper flavor.
    Can leave out cumin and ancho or use regular chili powder for less smoky flavor. If you don't like cilantro, you can use fresh parsley or leave it out.
    Store in refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 286mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 288IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    This canned salsa recipe is the best homemade salsa recipe ever. The only thing separating it from my favorite restaurant salsa is that I can make it easily at home!

    For more favorite Mexican food dishes and recipes you can make with simple pantry ingredients, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!

    If you enjoy our favorite salsa as much as we do, please leave a star rating or comment!

    Recipe originally published in 2015 and updated in 2023

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Patrick says

      May 08, 2023 at 9:11 am

      So much flavor and you can make it as spicey as you want too! Made one without jalapenos and one with with lots of them! What a hit!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Jim says

      May 15, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Made this yesterday and boy was it easy. Everybody loves it. Used some fresh cilantro from our garden too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 17, 2021 at 9:00 pm

        Awesome, Jim! Thank you so much.

    3. amanda says

      May 10, 2021 at 4:09 pm

      Perfect for those get togethers outside, it is so tasty!5 stars

      Reply
    4. beti says

      May 06, 2021 at 12:16 pm

      Oh my, this was SO GOOD!! I need to make this again!!5 stars

      Reply
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