Craving that vibrant, fresh salsa you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant? Stop craving and start creating! This recipe recreates the bright, zesty flavors of On-the-Border salsa, bringing a taste of south-of-the-border sunshine right to your kitchen. It's incredibly easy, uses fresh ingredients, and is perfect for dipping chips, topping tacos, or adding a zing to your favorite dishes. This quick dinner idea is a healthy meal option too! Get ready to experience the best recipes for homemade salsa!
Ingredients:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium white onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 large lime)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
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Prep the Veggies: Wash and thoroughly dry all your ingredients. This prevents your salsa from becoming watery. Dice the tomatoes into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. Finely chop the white onion. Carefully remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño pepper before mincing – this significantly reduces the heat. If you prefer a milder salsa, remove more of the white pith.
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Combine the Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, gently combine the diced tomatoes, chopped onion, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro.
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Season and Mix: Add the lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
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Taste and Adjust: Give your salsa a taste test. You might want to adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more lime juice for extra zing, jalapeño for more heat, or salt to your liking.
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Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step really elevates the taste, allowing the ingredients to "marry" beautifully. Serve with tortilla chips, use as a topping for tacos, burritos, or grilled chicken or fish.
Tips for the Best Salsa:
- Tomato Selection: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best taste. Roma tomatoes work particularly well as they have less water content.
- Onion Control: If you find raw onion too strong, you can briefly soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the salsa. This helps to mellow the flavor.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeño to control the heat. For a mild salsa, remove more of the white pith; for extra heat, leave some seeds in. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- Fresh Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is key! It adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that's essential to this recipe.
Variations:
- Mango Salsa: Add 1 cup of diced mango for a sweet and spicy twist.
- Corn Salsa: Stir in 1 cup of grilled or roasted corn kernels for added texture and flavor.
- Avocado Salsa: Incorporate 1 ripe avocado, mashed, for a creamier salsa. Remember to add this just before serving to prevent browning.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is an estimate and will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 40-50
- Fat: Approximately 1-2g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 8-10g
- Protein: Approximately 1-2g
Enjoy your delicious homemade On-the-Border style salsa! It’s a fantastic example of easy recipes and healthy meals that are perfect for any occasion. Let us know in the comments how you enjoyed this easy food recipe!