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Picture this: you are at your favorite Mexican restaurant, and your server is slowly approaching with warm tortilla chips and chunky salsa. Except in this case, it is from the comfort of your own home! This recipe is simple, fresh, and bursting with flavor. You can adjust the heat level to your liking by using more or less jalapenos. Chunky salsa is great for serving at parties and gatherings of all sizes or for a casual weeknight snack! It’s also a great way to use extra tomatoes and cilantro from your pantry. Give this recipe a try and impress your guests with your homemade restaurant-style salsa!
What Makes Chunky Salsa “Restaurant Style?”
What makes a chunky salsa, specifically restaurant style? It combines fresh, diced ingredients, vibrant flavors, and the perfect balance of heat and acidity. A good restaurant-style chunky salsa should have a mix of diced tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos, as well as fresh cilantro and lime juice for added flavor. The texture should be chunky and not too watery or pureed.
Additionally, restaurant-style chunky salsa tends to be medium in spiciness, but you can adjust this to your personal taste. Overall, the key to a great restaurant-style chunky salsa is using fresh, high-quality ingredients and achieving the perfect balance of flavors.
Reasons Why Everyone Loves This Recipe:
1. Bold and Fresh Flavors: It’s made with fresh ingredients such as diced tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime juice, giving it a vibrant and zesty taste. The combination of these ingredients creates a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that everyone loves.
2. Versatility: Restaurant-style chunky salsa is incredibly versatile. It can be used as a dip for tortilla chips or as a condiment for your favorite Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. You can also use it as a topping for grilled chicken, fish, or scrambled eggs. The possibilities are endless, which makes it a favorite among many people.
3. Healthy Snacking Option: This recipe is low in calories and fat. It’s made with fresh ingredients and contains no preservatives or artificial flavors. It’s a great way to flavor your food without adding unwanted calories. Plus, the spiciness of the salsa can help boost your metabolism and curb your appetite, making it a perfect snack for those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
FAQ for Restaurant Style Chunky Salsa
1. How can I adjust the acidity of my restaurant-style chunky salsa?
A. You can adjust the acidity of your restaurant-style chunky salsa by adding more or less lime juice or vinegar. Keep in mind that too much acidity can overpower the other flavors, so it’s important to taste the salsa as you go and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
2. Can I make restaurant-style chunky salsa without cilantro?
A. Yes, you can make restaurant-style chunky salsa without cilantro if you don’t like the taste or have an allergy. However, cilantro provides a fresh and herbaceous flavor that complements the other ingredients and enhances the salsa’s overall taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Restaurant-Style Chunky Salsa (Full Recipe Below)
Roma Tomatoes – they have a meaty texture, fewer seeds, and less water content, which makes them perfect for creating a chunky and flavorful salsa.
Diced Tomatoes – these tomatoes provide a fresh and juicy texture, and they combine well with other ingredients to create the perfect balance of flavors.
Onions—white onions specifically—have a mild and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients. They also provide a crisp texture that adds to the salsa’s overall chunkiness.
Jalapeños – turn up the heat everyone! Jalapeños provide a mild to medium level of spiciness that adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile of the salsa.
Garlic— Garlic adds a subtle but distinct flavor that enhances the overall taste of the salsa. It also has antibacterial properties that can help preserve the salsa for a longer period.
Cilantro—This bright herb provides a fresh and herbaceous flavor that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the spiciness of the jalapeños. It also adds a vibrant green color to the salsa, making it visually appealing.
Lime – it provides a tangy and citrusy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the salsa. Lemon’s sour cousin also helps to balance the spiciness of the jalapeños while preserving the freshness of the other ingredients.
Restaurant Style Chunky Salsa
Ingredients
- 16 oz Diced Tomatoes Drained
- 5 roma tomatoes
- 1 white onion
- 4 jalapenos
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 whole bunch of cilantro
- juice of 1 lime
Spices
- 2 tsps chicken bouillon powder
- 2 tsps salt
- 2 tsps cumin
- 2 tsps sugar
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a hot skillet sear tomatoes, onions and garlic until charred
- In a blender, pulse diced tomatoes, charred veggies and spices until it forms a nice chunky texture
- Add fresh lime juice at the end
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love this salsa recipe and it’s so easy to follow. I used the fresh tomatoes from my garden.
SO good! And easy to follow! Thank you for sharing!