Simple, Savory Homemade Salsa
…simple joy by simpler living
Fresh and delicious! This homemade salsa is in a class of it’s own! Just like my homemade yogurt, this salsa is so much better than the store bought kind that it almost needs another name! With a mix of sweet, salty, and personalized spiciness, this salsa is a savory delight to your tastebuds.
With my home garden winding down after the summer, I always have a big crop of tomatoes in September and October. Making fresh salsa is one of my favorite ways to use them up.
I used to laugh when I was asked if my salsa was homemade. I would wonder why anyone would ever put forth all the effort to make their own when it was so readily available in stores. Then I actually made it and realized it was pretty easy. The hardest part is actually getting the ingredients. Part of the difficulty was solved by adding some of the ingredients to my garden. The fresh ingredients are always extra flavorful.
If you do not have a garden, these ingredients are easily bought at any grocery store and still give delicious results!
There really are just 2 main steps: blackening/removing the tomato skins then mixing all the ingredients in a blender/food processor. The recipe below breaks it down step-by-step.
Healthy Ingredients
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes are good for the heart, eyes, joints and even skin!
- Garlic – Garlic has many health benefits but what tops the list for me are the antiviral and gut health benefits. This can make a big difference in our immunity as our bodies can naturally fight off germs and viruses.
- Red Onion – These contain many antioxidants helping your heart, reducing inflammation and a good source of quercetin. Quercetin is key to helping your body absorb zinc at the cellular level which in turn is a powerhouse for fighting germs we inevitably encounter. A healthy immune system strengthens the body and also our mind so we don’t have to worry about every new cold or virus that is going around.
- Cilantro – Excellent for detoxification of heavy metals, among other things.
- Lime
- Salt
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Honey – So many health benefits! Make sure to only buy local honey because it is one of the most counterfeited foods.
- Jalapeño Pepper
Equipment Needed
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This recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment but I have a few favorite products below that simplify and make cooking easier. I’m all for cooking in the simplest, easiest way possible.
- Ninja Blender – I keep things simple and do not have too many small appliances or gadgets so I like to get multi-purpose ones. I use this as a blender, food processor and smoothie maker. The motor is the best and has never died on me like many other blenders even after MUCH use.
- Calphalon Fry Pan – I recently replaced all of my old pots and pans with these stainless steel pans to decrease toxicity in my kitchen. After using these for a few years, I also see the benefits of easier cooking with stainless steel. I just bought a small set and found it has been enough. Simplified cooking is a delight with these!
- Stainless Steel Fish Spatula – Sounds weird that it’s called a fish spatula, but trust me, it is great for cookies, eggs, and anything else on a metal pan. I bought this a few years ago upon a big recommendation that it was way better than other ones. I didn’t fully believe it but needed one so bought it. Now here I am to tell you that this is the BEST spatula to use for cooking on metal pots and pans easily scraping up all food pieces. It is actually the only one I use now so I bought two!
- Cutting Board – This type have been my favorites for years- non-porous and non-slip.
- Eversharp Kitchen Knives – I received a set of these knives for my wedding over 20 years ago and they are still sharp! I even run them through the dishwasher after each use – because I keep things quick & easy in my house in order to get more done. This link is for the current version of these fabulous knives.
This salsa is great on its own with chips or as part of a recipe such as tacos or chicken-salsa baked in the oven.
Enjoy!!
Simple, Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender or Food Processor
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
- 8 Medium tomatoes (Roma tomatoes work best)
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1/2 Small red onion
- 1 cup Fresh cilantro
- 1 Lime (Juice only)
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 2 tbsp Honey (optional)
- 1 Jalapeño pepper (Optional)
Instructions
- Warm skillet on stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Put tomatoes (and optional jalapeño pepper) in warmed skillet and char skins by turning frequently until skins peel off.
- Pulse the following in blender/food processor until chopped:Onion, garlic, cilantro
- Add: lime juice, oregano, salt, and cumin.
- Taste test and add optional honey if desired to tone down sharpness of taste. (Only needed if tomatoes aren't very sweet)
- Enjoy with tortilla chips or as part of a meal!
