Salsa Verde is a Mexican-inspired green salsa made with tomatillos, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, and onions for a versatile dip or condiment. It has a vibrant, fresh flavor and color! Be sure to use this amazing recipe with my Salsa Verde Chicken!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Tomatillos: Tomatillos, also called Mexican husk tomatoes, are small green fruits like tomatoes but with a paper-like husk (which you need to remove). They are tangy and a little bit tart and used a lot in Mexican foods like this one. They will be boiled and simmered with the jalapenos and garlic. Look for them in the produce section of your grocery store. If using canned tomatillos, drain them and add them directly to the food processor without cooking them first.
Jalapeno Peppers: For a little kick to each bite, I added three jalapeno peppers. It did give the salsa a bit of heat, but you can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer peppers. Or, remove the seeds and membranes before cooking.
Garlic: Try to stick with fresh cloves of garlic for the salsa, since it will simmer with the tomatillos and jalapeno peppers. If using minced garlic, wait to add that to the food processor with the other ingredients.
Cilantro: Cilantro is a key ingredient in salsa verde. However, if you really don’t like cilantro or don’t have any on hand, you could leave it out or substitute parsley. But, that will alter the flavor.
Onion: A white onion adds a subtle sweetness and texture to the salsa. You could also experiment with other varieties of onions like red or yellow.
Why Cook The Tomatillos and Jalapenos Before Blending?
Cooking the tomatillos and jalapenos helps to soften them and develop their flavors, giving the salsa the most taste. You could also roast them in the oven, giving the salsa a smokier flavor.
Can I Make Salsa Verde Without A Food Processor?
Yes, you could make this salsa without a food processor. One way is to use a blender but be careful not to mix everything up too much, just pulse until you have your desired consistency. You want it to have some texture to it. Or, with a little time and a lot of chopping, you could get it made by hand. It may be a bit chunkier, but it will still be delicious!
How To Use Salsa Verde
Salsa Verde is a delicious dip or condiment that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! Here are some options to try:
- Serve as a dip for tortilla chips or fresh vegetables. (Add it as a dip for your vegetable tray!)
- Use salsa verde as a topping for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, or quesadillas.
- Pair it with grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables.
- Use salsa verde as a marinade for meats before grilling or baking.
- Add it to your plate of scrambled eggs.
How To Store Salsa Verde
After making salsa verde, let it cool to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. When ready to use, give a good stir.
Salsa Verde
Ingredients
- 7 medium tomatillos, husked
- 3 medium jalapeno peppers, stems removed
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled
- ½ cup (8 g) fresh cilantro leaves, packed
- ½ cup (80 g) white onion, roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- To a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the tomatillos, jalapenos, and garlic. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the tomatillos have softened and turned pale green. Drain the cooked vegetables. Then, transfer them to a food processor.
- Add cilantro, onion, and salt. Puree the mixture until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
This recipe was inspired by @ArnieTex on TikTok.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This is one of those dips you can't stop eating. The tangy tomatillos and spicy jalapenos create a perfect balance of flavors that would be the perfect dip for tortilla chips or even as a topping for tacos.
Elizabeth
I loved the kick from the jalapeno peppers, just the right amount! And, it was super fresh and addicting.
Rachael
Yum! I love salsa verde. I would make it even spicier but I could devour the whole batch with just chips alone! It's so easy to make so you don't even need to worry about buying it anymore. I will make this and put it on my green chile enchiladas!
Annabelle
I'm not the biggest fan of salsa verde, but this was undeniably fresh and pretty tasty. I see the appeal!
Selena
This is super fresh and only a little spicy. I like that you can control how spicy you want it!
Bella
This tastes so fresh! This is a tasty, tangy, and spicy salsa that is great for dipping or adding to other dishes. I personally would make it just a bit spicier, too!
Can this recipe be canned?