This semi-homemade, Restaurant-Style Salsa(Easy Tomato Jalapeño Salsa) was inspired by a trip to San Antonio, Texas. Many times the restaurants(not all of them) will use canned tomatoes to prepare their table salsa. And even though I do prefer salsa’s prepared with fresh ingredients, this salsa was good! It was kind of addicting.
After experimenting with the ingredients and the ratio’s, I think I finally was happy with the results of restaurant-style salsa. I served this salsa every Friday at a Mexican lunch I served at the local kitchen store. It especially came in handy during the winter when fresh tomatoes are very expensive in central New York. People really seemed to enjoy the salsa. It even won me a first place trophy a few years back in a salsa contest, lol! Crazy, right?
El Video! I just added two bonus salsa recipes with video at the end of the post! Please go and check it out! Ingredients listed in the notes section.
One of my nice followers messaged me to tell me she prepared this recipe. She canned it and sent it all the way to Saudi Arabia! Her daughter, who was in the military there, loved it! The moral of the story is that sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we may need to adapt. My entire life in central New York has been about adapting. Adapting to different situations in a way that makes for a happier life. And whether it’s the most authentic salsa or a semi-homemade, Tex-Mex version, make it the best dang salsa that it can be! #foodieforlife #salsarecipes
Restaurant Style Salsa #2
This variation of the recipe is prepared with all fresh ingredients, minus the tomato sauce and pickled jalapeños! It taste so fresh with the tang from the pickled jalapeños and lime juice. It’s addicting! The tomato sauce gives the salsa some body and perfect for dipping chips.
Grilled Restaurant Style Salsa #3
When I find myself with too much produce or salsa ingredients, I will typically prepare a grilled or roasted salsa. Not only is it delicious for a quick chips n salsa snack, but many times I will use it in my guisados like picadillo or carne con papas.
Restaurant-Style Salsa. Easy Tomato Jalapeño Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 large cans 28 oz. of Hunt’s whole tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of “La Costena” pickled jalapenos sliced, plus 1/4 cup of the brine from jalapeños (The brine from the jalapeños is the key to this tasty and easy salsa recipe)
- 1/2-3/4 cup of sauteed or grilled white onions diced fine
- Juice of 1 large lime or 3 key limes, I do prefer the flavor of key limes
- 2 cloves of fresh garlic or 1 tsp. of granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp of pepper
- salt to taste
- medium handful of cilantro
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the blender, minus the cilantro. Pulse to blend until desired consistency. Add the cilantro and pulse a few more times. Taste for salt. The flavors will improve in a day!
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the salsa was a thick but overall the taste was so yummy and the flavors were so balanced
The salsa is usually on the thick side. So happy you liked it. Thanks so much for your feedback!
The lime juice was too much for me, next time I will half it or leave it out completely. Great taste and texture, I won’t be buying salsa again.
Yes, I know the lime juice can be a bit much for some. Sometimes it’s just tasty to be able to taste all of the fresh ingredients on their own. Thanks so much for the feedback.
This was so good. Wife and my youngest said it was the best they ever had and we live in Phoenix where there is a lot of salsa
Oh, good Scott! I love to hear this! I was surprised on how much I loved it with all the other authentic sala’s that I prepare, lol!
Spot on to El Vaquero restaurant salsa (Columbus, OH). 15 years ago my friends had pried the “secret ingredient” out of a waiter, the pickled jalapeños, but not the brine! Used a clove of fresh garlic instead of powder, and half the jalapeños and brine (theirs is mild, and my kids have sensitive palettes). Fantastic salsa! (PS: I did not drain my can of whole peeled tomatoes, maybe the commenter above did?)
Thank you Curtis. I sometimes like to use garlic powder when it’s good quality. My mom used to say that adding fresh garlic to the salsa would cause it to spoil faster, so that’s where the powder comes into play.
The salsa tasted amazing! Thank you. We could not stop eating it.
Hi Elizabeth! I am so happy you tried the recipe. I was just talking to my husband about how I wanted to experiment with a tomatillo version of this salsa! maybe tomorrow. It’s a delicious and quick recipe that is perfect for a big bowl of chips!
Hello Sonia, I’m wondering if I can use fresh tomatoes instead? I don’t have any canned ones and really trying not to go out rn. Excited to try this salsa. Thanks 🙏🏼 you’re amazing!!
Hi Patty, well of you can use fresh, but the idea for this recipe was to use pantry ingredients when fresh was not available. If you use fresh tomatoes, I would suggest cooking the salsa afterwards, otherwise it’s going to spoil fast.
Greetings from Chile!! And thank you very much for sharing this recipe. You couldn’t imagine how happy you made our family and guests yesterday with your salsa recipe. In my country it’s not easy to find many ingredients from the Mexican cuisine, but I found by chance a couple cans of La Costeña pickled jalapenos, abandoned in a dusty aisle in my local supermarket … but then I had to manage what to do with them, and that’s how I found your magic recipe searching the net… maybe it was just destiny!. The warmest regards from a happy family from Chile!
Agustin, I am sooo happy you stumbled upon some jalapenos from La Costena! Yay!! They really are my favorite brand! I prepare all kinds of salsa from scratch and when I had to used canned tomatoes, I didn’t think it was going to work. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty it was. It’s my go to salsa when I need a salsa in a hurry. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I really appreciate it!
Thanks so much for this easy and great recipe. I am a Californian currently living in Scotland and have been craving real salsa for ages – now making this simple salsa every week! Keep up the good work!
Hi Andrew! I am so happy you enjoyed the salsa recipe. It saved me when fresh tomatoes were way too expensive in upstate New York. People really enjoyed it!
Best salsa I have ever had!! Exactly like a favorite local restaurant of mine that closed down. I used to bring in a huge container for them to fill every week. I was so sad to see them go and I also lost my favorite ever salsa. Until now! You have no idea how happy you made me. Thanks for bringing some joy back into my life. Only difference is I used green onions, little canola oil, and a pinch of fresh garlic. Thanks again!!!
Hi Beau! This makes me very happy too! Awesome!!
how do i can this?
Hi Charlene! Honestly, I have never canned salsa before. Followers who experienced in this have written to me and told me they have canned the salsa. I know there are many, many easy to follow canning videos on YouTube. I myself would love to learn how to can salsa.
Greetings, did you include the juice from the canned tomatoes or drain it off and discard?
I add the whole can including any juice.
Sonia, I have been making different salsa recipes for years. I knew as soon as I read the ingredients to your recipe that this was going to be amazing. And it did not disappoint. Everyone who tried it wanted the recipe. Which I was happy to share. I have cooked many of your recipes and I have loved every dish.
Thanks for sharing your super power.
Regards, Ken
Thank you Ken! I sometimes wish more people would give this easy salsa recipe a chance. I think most people shy away from it because it’s prepared with canned whole tomatoes. I think people enjoy it more than they would imagine once they try it.
Can I can this recipe?
Rene, honestly, I am not familiar with canning salsa, but I have had followers tell me that they have canned this salsa. It does have some vinegar from the jalapeños, so I believe that is good for canning.
This salsa is AMAZING. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Oh! Wonderful! I am so happy you liked the salsa recipe Erin!
Just like our favorite Mexican restaurant salsa (El Vaquero). A bit spicier, so reduce the amount of pickled jalapeño for the kids.