Tangy Canned Salsa Recipe: Easy Homemade Flavor (Print Version)

Make a zesty, fresh canned salsa recipe at home using pantry staples. This homemade salsa is easy, versatile, and perfect for any occasion.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mexican
Dietary: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, fire-roasted if possible (drained, reserving 1/4 cup liquid)
02 - 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

→ Fresh Add-ins

03 - 1/2 medium white or yellow onion, roughly chopped
04 - 1-2 jalapeños, de-seeded and roughly chopped (more for heat)
05 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (divided)

→ Flavor Boosters

07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin

→ Seasoning Staples

09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get all your ingredients ready. Drain your diced tomatoes, but not completely – we want about a quarter cup of the liquid in there for texture and flavor. Roughly chop your onion, jalapeño (remembering to de-seed for less heat, or keep some in for more!), and garlic. I usually give everything a quick rinse, especially the cilantro, because who wants gritty salsa? This is where I start to smell all those fresh aromatics mingling, and I get so excited for the homemade salsa magic to happen.
02 - Now for the fun part! Dump your drained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped onion, jalapeño, and garlic into your food processor. Add about half of your fresh cilantro, the lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper. Don't overcrowd it; if your processor is small, you might need to do this in batches. I made that mistake once, and everything just spun around without chopping properly. Oops! It’s all about getting that perfect consistency for your canned salsa recipe.
03 - This is the critical step for achieving that chunky, rustic texture we're after. Pulse the ingredients in short bursts. Don't just let it run, or you'll end up with soup, like my first attempt! I usually do about 5-7 pulses, checking after each one. You want some discernible pieces, not a smooth puree. I love seeing the vibrant reds and greens swirling around, it just looks so fresh and alive. This makes all the difference for a fantastic homemade salsa.
04 - Pour your salsa into a bowl and give it a good stir. Now for the most important part: taste! Grab a chip and scoop some up. Does it need more salt? A little more lime for brightness? Maybe another pinch of cumin? If you're feeling adventurous, add a tiny bit more jalapeño for extra heat. This is your chance to make this canned salsa recipe truly yours. I always adjust the seasoning a few times; it's part of the process, honestly!
05 - Once you're happy with the flavor, finely chop the remaining fresh cilantro and stir it into the salsa. This adds a beautiful pop of fresh green and a burst of herbaceous flavor right at the end. Don't add all the cilantro in the food processor, or it can get bruised and lose its vibrant color. I always save some for this final step; it just looks so much better, and the smell is incredible. This really elevates your homemade salsa.
06 - Cover your homemade salsa and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time lets all those amazing flavors meld together, making it even more delicious. Trust me, it's worth the wait! When it's ready, give it one last stir and serve with your favorite tortilla chips, tacos, or whatever your heart desires. The texture should be chunky, the color vibrant, and the taste, well, it should be pure homemade salsa bliss!

# Notes:

01 - Don't over-blend! A chunky texture is what we're going for, honestly.
02 - This salsa gets better the next day, so make it ahead if you can.
03 - Ran out of fresh cilantro? A little dried oregano works in a pinch, I've found.
04 - Serve it warm with tortilla chips for a real treat – sounds weird, but trust me!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Food processor
02 - large mixing bowl
03 - airtight container

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 45
Total Fat: 0.5g
Total Carbohydrate: 9g
Protein: 2g

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