An easy-to-make roasted tomato salsa recipe using canned tomatoes. Skip the store-bought salsa and instead make this easy blender salsa in 5 minutes. This is a smoky, smooth salsa, just like you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant. It is great for game day, party day, or any day!
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Chips and salsa are the quintessential party snack. But I make some version of Mexican food almost weekly. With fresh tomatoes only being in season for a few months a year, canned tomatoes yield a more delicious salsa the rest of the time.
Plus, using a blender or food processor gives you the classic restaurant-style salsa people love.
Sit back and enjoy a mezcal Paloma or a vodka margarita and eat all the chips and homemade salsa you can.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- I use fire-roasted tomatoes (without or without green chilies) to add extra flavor.
- Roasting the hot peppers, garlic, and onions adds a depth of flavor while blending the aromatics first breaks up the chunks and ensures the tomatoes aren't totally pulverized. Blending them all at once results in tomato soup!
- And while I love fresh chunky salsa in the summer, blending it is what gives us the perfect smooth restaurant-style salsa that everyone loves.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes- I used canned fire-roasted tomatoes in this recipe. Regular canned diced tomatoes can be substituted but the salsa may lack a depth of flavor.
- Onion- Use a white onion, red onion, or yellow onion. I do not recommend sweet onions or green onions in this recipe.
- Garlic- Fresh garlic cloves with the skins on so they don't burn while roasting. Jarred garlic can be substituted in a pinch, skip the roasting and add directly to the food processor.
- Jalapeno- Jalapenos are the classic hot pepper for any salsa recipe. Jalapenos range from barely peppery to really hot. I recommend tasting the pepper before adding it to the blender, although this takes some courage.
- Lime- Fresh because you roast your lime in this recipe! It may sound strange but it really amps up the salsa. Also, when the lime is warm it is way easier to squeeze all the juice out. You can substitute bottled lime juice but note that you will be missing out on a bit of the smokiness that comes with a roasted salsa recipe.
- Cilantro- The quintessential salsa herb. See the variation below to make this salsa recipe without cilantro.
I do not recommend substituting garlic powder or onion powder in this recipe. Because this is fresh salsa and not cooked neither would be a good substitute here.
💭 How to Make Salsa without Cilantro
If you are a cilantro lover, you may be wondering why you would ever make salsa without cilantro. I get it, I love cilantro too. But you may have heard people say it tastes like soap.
If making for same-day use, add mint to taste, usually a ⅓ cup total. Mint flavors can vary greatly from plant to plant and the flavor will become more pronounced as the salsa sits.
For advanced preparation, I recommend starting with a ¼ cup of mint and testing for flavor right before serving. Add additional chopped mint if needed.
⏲️How To Make Restaurant-Style Salsa
Roast the Aromatics
Place the sliced onion, the fresh garlic cloves with the skin still on, the lime halves, and the jalapeno under the broiler for 7 minutes. You can also grill them. The goal is to get a nice char on the outside.
This is a dry roast, no oil or other seasoning is needed. Allow the roasted vegetables to cool for a few minutes. If you can't pick up the lime to squeeze out the juice with your bare hands then the veggies are still too hot.
Blend the Salsa
I prefer a food processor for a chunkier salsa and a blender when I want it smoother. Either works, and it is a matter of convenience and preference.
Remove the garlic cloves from their skin and squeeze in the juice of the lime, and add the remaining roasted ingredients. Pulse to break up, then add the tomatoes and cilantro, and pulse for 30 seconds to combine.
Season to taste. Salsa is one of those foods that is really a matter of personal preference. So go light on the aromatics (salt, cumin, mint, garlic, jalapeno) and add a little at a time until you get your perfect version.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Do not add sugar to this recipe. The canned tomatoes are picked and roasted at peak ripeness, so no additional sugar should be added.
- If using whole canned tomatoes, you can add them to the food processor with the whole veggies for a one-step recipe.
- Don't be afraid of the char on veggies; this is what gives roasted salsas their unique flavor.
- To reduce the heat, use only half the jalapeno or remove seeds and veins. The membrane, or vein, is the hottest part. not the seeds.
- To increase the heat, experiment with chipotles, habaneros, or even serrano peppers. They all have unique flavors that pair well with this recipe.
Common Recipe Questions
Can I substitute fresh tomatoes?
If you have in-season tomatoes and want to substitute, you will need 1 pound of Roma or paste tomatoes. Cut in half and place flesh side down on a baking sheet. Place under a broiler for 7 minutes. The skins should be charred black. You can read more about working with out-of-season tomatoes in my roasted tomatoes post.
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more? Get more flavorful recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Salsa with Canned Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 medium white onion cut into 6 wedges
- 6 cloves garlic skins on
- 1 lime cut in half
- 1 jalapeno cut in half
- 28 ounces fire-roasted canned tomatoes 1 large or 2 small cans
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves only, loosely packed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Position oven rack in top ⅓ of the oven. Preheat broiler. Place onion wedges, garlic cloves (with skins on), lime and jalapeno on a baking tray. Broil for 7 minutes, turning onions and jalapeno halfway through.1 medium white onion, 6 cloves garlic, 1 lime, 1 jalapeno
- Allow the aromatics to cool for 15 minutes. Remove garlic cloves from their skin and juice the lime.
- Place onion, peeled garlic cloves, lime juice, jalapeno, salt, and cumin to a food processor. Pulse for 10-15 seconds.½ teaspoon cumin
- Add the tomatoes and ¼ cup of the cilantro, pulse for 30-45 seconds to combine. Taste for flavor, add additional salt or mint if needed.28 ounces fire-roasted canned tomatoes, ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Video
Notes
- To reduce heat use only half the jalapeno or remove seeds and veins.
- How to Make Salsa without Cilantro- substitute fresh mint or 50/50 mint and fresh parsley.
- Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for 5 to 7 days. Do not freeze.
Beatrice says
I am one of those people who tastes soap with cilantro. My son is allergic to mint. Any other suggestions or just omit the herb?
Jen Wooster says
Parsley or parsley plus chives would be delicious!
Aline says
So good!! I have a friend who cant stand cilantro and I made this for her as a little drop off gift and she loved it!
Jen says
I am so happy to hear that!
Mikayla says
I'd never even considered adding mint to salsa before but this was really good! Definitely worth roasting the veggies, it came out fantastic.
Chandice Probst says
I love how roasting the veggies brings out the flavor! So good!
Jen says
Yes!!!
Ashley Marie Lecker says
I have never had mint and salsa and it is a game changer. I also enjoy cilantro, but love the flavor variation with this salsa. This is delicious over fish!
Jen says
Great idea!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This Roasted Salsa with Mint looks incredibly delicious. I wish this were in front of me! Can't wait to try this.
Amanda says
LOVE homemade salsa! The addition of mint sounds so tasty!
heidy says
I am one of the lucky ones that love cilantro but am also interesting in serving one that a few of my non cilantro loving friends will enjoy so this one is on my list. Great instructions and tips. Looking forward to making this recipe for salasa
Analida Braeger says
My family loved this salsa recipe and I have mint patch out back that grows out of control. Thanks so much for all the tips!
Pam Greer says
Well, we love cilantro at our house, but we also love mint, so this salsa is perfect to change it up a bit!
Kelly Anthony says
I've never had mint in salsa but I'm excited to try something new especially paired with a refreshing Paloma.
Jen says
Sounds like you have a Cinco de Mayo plan!
Dana says
I enjoy trying new salsa recipes and I love the addition of mint in this one!
Noelle says
This was such a great recipe for an appetizer, thank you! Delicious
Jack says
This recipe is packed with flavour! 10 times better than any shop bought salsa.
Bry says
Oh wow, I'd never made anythign like this before but it was so tasty!! Absolutely in love and wil definitely be making it again!
Angela says
I love the smokiness that the fire-roasted tomatoes adds. I never thought of putting mint in salsa but it really works.
Pam says
Mint is an interesting addition. I like the way you describe how subtle it should be. I have a big pot of it and am going to try this soon.