Fresh Garden Salsa Recipe
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This garden salsa is bright, easy, and perfect for the season—especially when you want something fresh and fast for snacking, or a topping for your tacos. If you’ve been relying on store-bought salsa, this garden-fresh version might just change your mind, it’s made in minutes and it packs in all the flavor of summer’s best produce. It’s the first thing I whip up when my garden starts to overflow with fresh tomatoes.
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What you’ll love about this recipe
- Plum or Roma tomatoes
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Red Onion
- Fresh Cilantro
- Garlic
- Fresh Lime Juice
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How to make garden salsa in minutes
STEP 1: Roughly chop the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, squeeze the lime juice and garlic.
STEP 2: Toss the prepped ingredients into a food processor or blender with the cilantro and lime juice and pulse or blend to a consistency that you like.
STEP 3: Taste and adjust with lime juice and salt.
Tips for making the best Garden Salsa!
- Wear disposable gloves when chopping the jalapeno pepper to prevent your hands from burning from the heat of the pepper.
- This is a taste-as-you-go recipe. If you aren’t sure about heat, add a little bit of jalapeno and adjust it to your taste.
- If your hands burn after chopping the jalapeno pepper, squeeze lemon juice on them and rub it in to stop the burn.
Check out the full recipe in the recipe card below!
Make it your way: salsa variations to try
- Add corn or black beans for extra texture and fiber
- Swap Roma tomatoes for cherry or heirloom tomatoes, any variety works!
- Try roasted garlic for a smoky twist
- Swap the jalapeno peppers and use poblano for a milder salsa or serrano for more kick.
- Make it chunky by hand dicing instead of blending.
If you want to explore more ways to enjoy salsa, check out my full guide on how to make salsa from scratch. It’s packed with tips and flavor combos for every season.
Serving suggestions
Serve garden fresh salsa garnished with green onions with your favorite tortilla chips, mix it with shredded chicken, and vegetarian tacos, and top a salad with it or add it to deconstructed stuffed peppers for a spicy version of stuffed peppers or as a dip for jalapeno poppers.
You can also add fresh garden salsa to Greek yogurt to make Mexican Macaroni Salad or Salsa Chicken.
How to store leftover salsa
Store any leftover salsa in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can store your salsa in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When you’re ready to use it, defrost it in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the texture and color of the salsa may change after it thaws.
FAQs
Yes, you can easily make this salsa with a sharp knife, which is great for chunky salsa or pico de gallo. Dice all of the ingredients and combine them in a bowl.
Yes, this salsa is made with only plants, there are no added sugars that you might find in store-bought salsa.
It is not necessary to peel the tomatoes before making salsa. The blender or food processor purees the ingredients nicely.
You can substitute canned for fresh, but the salsa will not have the same fresh flavor. I like to use canned San Marzano or Muir Glen diced tomatoes.
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You might also enjoy these simple homemade salsa recipes
- Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Salsa
- Cucumber Watermelon Salsa
- Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- Spicy Mango Salsa with Strawberries
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Garden Fresh Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Roma tomatoes 2 cups when chopped
- 1 Jalapeno pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice 1/2 to 1 lime depending on how juicy the lime is
- 1/2 Medium red onion
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Rough chop 3 to 4 tomatoes to make 2 cups chopped tomatoes
- Rough chop the garlic and onions
- Remove the stem, seeds and membranes from the jalapeno pepper and cut it into quarters
- Squeeze 1 tablespoon of juice from a fresh lime
- Remove the tough stems from the cilantro
- Place all ingredients into a blender or foood processor
- Process until salsa reaches your desired consistency
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
What a great, simple and fresh salsa recipe. I would definitely polish off a bowl of this easily. Also a great way to use up the tomatoes from my garden right now!
yeah, I will not bother buying my salsa. I ‘d prefer making them, so I can adjust the taste to my liking.
Nothing beats homemade fresh salsa. This looks so good. I love the color. My kids love to eat pita chips with their salsa. I must try this one. Sounds yum.
I just love chips and salsa! I can see how easy it would be to make a big batch of this for our next party. Thanks, I’ll try it
We have so many tomatoes in our garden! This will be perfect to use some up for something so delicious as a homemade salsa!
Homemade salsa is just the best! So much better and healthier than a shop-bought version, and fraction of the price! Delicious!
Homemade salsa is the best, fresh and without any nasty additives.
I’m loving the deep and vibrant color of this salsa! And what a great way to use all those fresh summer tomatoes in the garden
I absolutely love salsa and this looks so easy to make. I love how fresh this is!
I have SO many tomatoes in my garden now….what a great way to use some up! So tasty spread over my eggs this morning!
I love how simple and wonderful this is! Nothing quite like home made salsa!
This salsa is so easy and excellent! Goes well with everything!
Homemade salsa is seriously the BEST! This looks so refreshing and perfect.
Buying salsa in a jar is so easy but you’ve inspired me! There’s a ton of great tomatoes at farmers markets right now and this is the perfect recipe to use them up!
Delicious with the red onion and lime juice!! Thank you!
So easy and delicious! Love the hint of lime.
Thanks Raia!
I really love to make my own salsa too — not just because it’s fresher and tastes better, but so I can control the heat — I like very mild . . and my hubby likes very spicy. So I just divide the batch before adding peppers!
That’s a great idea Jennifer! We all like spicy and hot.
Homemade salsa is always so much better than store bought, loved this spice in this and how fresh it was!
Thanks hope, I hope you enjoy!
Homemade is so much better! Love that you can adjust all the spices to your liking.
Since moving to the SouthWest, I have learned that salsa is a food group, and needs to be on everything! This is a great example of salsa that needs to be in the fridge ready to go at all times!!