Chunky Tomato Salsa: Fresh & Zesty Homemade Delight (Print Version)

Chunky Tomato Salsa bursting with garden freshness! My easy recipe for vibrant, zesty homemade salsa, perfect for any snack or gathering.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Garden Fresh Base

01 - 6-8 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced
02 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced

→ Zesty Flavor Boosters

03 - 1-2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced (more for heat)
04 - 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - Juice of 1-2 fresh limes (about 2-3 tablespoons)

→ Fresh Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

→ Optional Kick

09 - Pinch of sugar (if tomatoes aren't sweet enough)
10 - A dash of hot sauce for extra zing

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, gather your tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Give everything a good wash. Now, for the tomatoes: dice them into nice, even, chunky pieces. This is where the "chunky" in Chunky Tomato Salsa comes from, so don't be shy! For the red onion, finely dice it – you want flavor, not huge chunks of raw onion. Finely chop your cilantro, too; stems are fine if they're tender, but I usually stick to the leaves. Slice your jalapeño, remove the seeds and membranes if you prefer less heat, then mince it up. I always forget to wash my hands immediately after the jalapeño, then regret it!
02 - Next, peel and mince your garlic cloves. Really get them fine; you don't want big chunks of raw garlic in your Chunky Tomato Salsa. Grab a large mixing bowl, hon, and toss in all your diced tomatoes, red onion, minced cilantro, and jalapeño. Add the minced garlic right on top. It's starting to look like something, right? The colors are just so vibrant! This is where the magic starts to happen, seeing all those fresh ingredients come together. Don't be afraid to get your hands in there a little, though I usually use a spoon to mix.
03 - Now for the flavor boosters! Pour in the fresh lime juice. Seriously, use fresh. Then, sprinkle in your sea salt and black pepper. Start with a smaller amount of salt, because you can always add more, but you can't take it away! Give everything a really good stir, making sure all those beautiful ingredients are evenly coated. You'll start to smell that incredible fresh aroma, all those bright, zesty notes mixing together. It’s a moment of pure kitchen joy, honestly.
04 - This is the crucial step for your Chunky Tomato Salsa! Grab a spoon, take a small taste, and really think about what it needs. Does it need more salt to make the flavors pop? Another squeeze of lime for extra zing? A little more jalapeño for a kick? This is your salsa, so make it perfect for *you*. Don't be shy about adjusting; I've tweaked mine countless times to get it just right. It's all about balancing those fresh, vibrant flavors. Sometimes I even add a tiny pinch of sugar if my tomatoes aren't super sweet.
05 - Once you've got the flavors just right, cover your bowl and pop your Chunky Tomato Salsa into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is super important! It allows all those amazing flavors to really meld together and get to know each other. Trust me, it makes a world of difference. I've been impatient and eaten it right away, and it's good, but after chilling? It's phenomenal. Go do something else, like scroll through Instagram, while it chills!
06 - After its little chill session, give your Chunky Tomato Salsa one last stir. Taste it again, just in case, and adjust any seasonings if needed. Transfer it to a pretty serving bowl and get ready to impress! It should look incredibly fresh, with all those distinct, colorful pieces of tomato, onion, and cilantro. The smell alone will make your mouth water. Serve it with your favorite tortilla chips, tacos, or whatever your heart desires. Pure bliss!

# Notes:

01 - Always use a sharp knife for dicing; it makes a huge difference in texture and prevents squishy tomatoes.
02 - Store any leftover salsa in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to keep it fresh longer.
03 - No fresh jalapeños? A pinch of red pepper flakes can add heat, but you'll miss the fresh pepper crunch.
04 - Serve this Chunky Tomato Salsa with really good, sturdy tortilla chips that can handle those delicious chunks!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - sharp knife
03 - cutting board
04 - measuring spoons
05 - citrus juicer

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 30
Total Fat: 0.5g
Total Carbohydrate: 6g
Protein: 1g

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