Homemade Fresh Tomato Salsa with Cilantro and Lime

The BEST Ever Salsa made with fresh, simple ingredients for a bright, flavorful lift for tacos, grilled meats, bowls, or as a lively dip for chips.

This homemade salsa is fresh, uncomplicated, and ready in minutes. It combines classic ingredients—onion, jalapeño, garlic, tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes and green chiles, cilantro, lime, and a touch of sweetener—to create a bright, balanced salsa with a satisfying kick. Make it chunky or smooth depending on how long you pulse it in a food processor. Use it as a topping for chicken, fish or tacos, fold it into a slow cooker for salsa chicken, or simply serve it with tortilla chips.

Best Ever Salsa

Ingredients

• 1 white onion, roughly chopped
• 1 or 2 jalapeños, roughly chopped (use 2 for more heat; remove seeds for milder salsa)
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 8 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (4.5 oz) can green chiles
• 1 handful cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 packet of stevia (optional; balances acidity)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)

Instructions

1. Place the chopped onion, jalapeños, garlic, Roma tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, green chiles, cilantro, lime juice, stevia (if using), and sea salt into a food processor.
2. Pulse until the salsa reaches your preferred texture: short pulses for a chunky salsa, longer pulses for a smoother consistency. Scrape down the sides once if needed and pulse again to combine.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning—add more salt or lime juice as desired. If the salsa is too acidic, a pinch more sweetener or a small drizzle of honey can help balance it.
4. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Enjoy with chips, tacos, grilled meats, salads, or as a topping for baked or slow-cooked chicken.

Tips and Variations

• For less heat: remove the seeds and membranes from jalapeños before chopping. For more heat: include seeds or substitute a hotter pepper such as serrano.
• To char the tomatoes and peppers: roast under a broiler or on a hot skillet for a smoky flavor before processing.
• Make it chunkier by dicing tomatoes and mixing by hand instead of using a food processor.
• Swap the white onion for red onion for a slightly sweeter, sharper bite.
• Add other fresh herbs like oregano or a small amount of finely chopped green onion for a different flavor profile.
• To use in cooked dishes: pour this salsa over chicken breasts in a slow cooker for a quick salsa chicken, or stir into cooked beans and rice for an easy, flavorful side.

Storage

Store salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Stir before serving. If the salsa thins over time, drain excess liquid or use slightly less canned tomato juice when blending.

Nutrition (approximate)

Serving size: 1/2 cup | Calories: 22 kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.2 g | Protein: 1.1 g | Fiber: 1.5 g | Sugar: 2 g

Nutrition information is an approximation and will vary depending on exact ingredients and portion sizes.

Serving Ideas

• Serve as a classic dip with tortilla chips.
• Top grilled fish, chicken, or steak for fresh flavor.
• Use as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.
• Stir into cooked grains or beans for an instant flavor boost.

This simple, homemade salsa showcases fresh ingredients and bold flavor. It’s quick to make, easy to customize, and versatile enough for snacks, meal prep, and weeknight dinners. Try it once and adjust to suit your preferred heat and texture—this recipe is a dependable base for many variations.