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    Meals » Recipes » Appetizers

    Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe (canned tomatoes)

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 20, 2022 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

    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 in the blender/food processor. It tastes just like salsa from our favorite Mexican restaurant, and my family thinks it's the BEST salsa 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 blender salsa. Plus, you can make this chip dip all year long -- no need to wait for garden fresh tomatoes!

    Serve the salsa with Homemade Guacamole, Instant Pot Carnitas, or Salsa Chicken tacos for your own fiesta! We also love it with Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas!

    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:

    • Canned tomatoes -- I use a mix of crushed and diced tomatoes for different texture
    • Red onion -- adds flavor and color
    • 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 to suit your tastes
    • Lime -- squeeze from a whole lime or use store bought juice
    • Salt
    • Cumin, ancho chili powder -- optional but adds a deeper flavor
    • Sugar -- Helps cut the acid from tomatoes

    How to Make Homemade 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

    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.

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

    You can also 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

    Variations

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

    Instead of lime juice, add lemon juice, or a blend of the two.

    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.

    For even more heat, substitute habanero peppers for the jalapeño peppers.

    Add a teaspoon of taco seasoning for even deeper flavor.

    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!

    red blender salsa in a white bowl

    Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe

    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 7 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 12
    Calories 37 kcal

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 15 ounces 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
    • 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 for more complex, deeper flavor.
    Can leave out cumin and ancho or use regular chili powder for less smoky flavor.
    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!

    Recipe originally published in 2015 and updated in 2022

    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!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. 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.

    2. amanda says

      May 10, 2021 at 4:09 pm

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

      Reply
    3. 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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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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