15 Homemade Salsas That Are So Good, You’ll Skip the Jarred Stuff
But storebought tortilla chips work!
If there’s one condiment that can do it all, it’s salsa. Fresh, punchy, and as versatile as other party dips, homemade salsa can be chunky or smooth in texture, smoky from the broiler, or sweetened up with fruit. It’s just as welcome in a bowl with tortilla chips as it is spooned over tacos, grilled meats, or even scrambled eggs. In other words: once you start making it at home, you’ll find excuses to put it on everything—and won’t ever go for the jarred version again.
Sure, the store-bought kind is convenient, but a fresh batch made with ripe tomatoes, tomatillos, herbs, chiles, and lime has a brightness that’s hard to beat. Even Alex Drummond and Mauricio swear by their homemade roasted salsa. "I'm going to start making my own salsa instead of buying it at the store!" she said after the first try. This list includes all kinds of salsa recipes, from classic pico de gallo and roasted tomato salsa to creamy avocado salsa verde and fruit-forward options that bring a sweet-spicy twist. Whether you like your Tex-Mex recipes fiery, refreshing, smoky, or somewhere in between, there’s a version here for every taco night, cookout, and snack spread ahead. There’s almost no meal it can’t improve!
Salsa Verde
This salsa strikes that perfect balance of fresh and smoky, with just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s packed with roasted flavor from tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, garlic, cilantro, and zesty lime.
Get Ree’s Salsa Verde recipe.
Shrimpo de Gallo
Put a seafood spin on fresh salsa by combining shrimp with chopped tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and plenty of lime. It’s light and full of texture, with enough substance to serve as a taco topper or easy appetizer.
Get Ree’s Shrimpo de Gallo recipe.
Avocado Salsa Verde
Everything you want in a creamy green salsa—cool, tangy, and full of fresh flavor. Blended with tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, cilantro, lime, and ripe avocado, it’s smooth and rich without feeling heavy.
Get Ree’s Avocado Salsa Verde recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
This Drummond favorite is a cross between black bean salsa and pico de gallo, and can be eaten with chips or by the spoonful. It's chock-full of nutrients with ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, red onion, and two different types of beans.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Avocado Salsa
If you can't decide between guacamole and salsa, try this refreshing avocado salsa. It's got many of the same ingredients as guacamole and it's extra chunky, so you get a burst of flavor in each bite!
Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.
Restaurant-Style Salsa
A simple, red salsa like the kind in restaurants, what's not to love? It's a classic tomato-based dip with a nice balance of sugar, salt, herbs, and spices.
Get Ree's Restaurant-Style Salsa recipe.
Pineapple Salsa
Take it from Ree Drummond: the key to a good taco bar is colorful ingredients and toppings. Here, you have a pineapple salsa that fits the bill.
Get Ree's Pineapple Salsa recipe.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Grab some tortilla chips and get ready to scoop! Black beans make this salsa a bit heartier than other salsas, so it's the perfect party dip or dinner side.
Get the Corn and Black Bean Salsa recipe.
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Everyone loves Chipotle's corn salsa, and now you have a copycat one you can make right at home. Serve it over grilled flank steak, burrito bowls, or your favorite Tex-Mex dinner.
Get the Chipotle Corn Salsa recipe.
Corn Salsa
Sweet with a bite, this corn salsa is a rainbow of colorful peppers, grilled onion, and cilantro. Grilling the corn adds a nice smokey element and caramelizes the corn’s sugars.
Get the Corn Salsa recipe.
Homemade Tomatillo Salsa
Here is your new go-to green salsa! Homemade tomatillo salsa adds a great tangy, spicy kick to chicken enchiladas and tacos.
Get the Homemade Tomatillo Salsa recipe.
Mango Salsa
Put a tropical twist on your salsa game using mango! This chunky salsa has that perfect balance of sweet and spicy, thanks to the mix of fruit, pepper, lime juice, onion, and jalapeños.
Get the Mango Salsa recipe.
Pico de Gallo
Ree absolutely loves pico de gallo as an appetizer (especially mixed in with guacamole), but it goes great wrapped in a burrito or atop a taco! Chopped fresh tomatoes, cilantro, onion, and crisp jalapeños make it an instant classic.
Get Ree's Pico de Gallo recipe.
Peach Salsa
The first peach salsa Ree ever had changed her life, so she made her own to match! The sweet, syrupy canned peach goes beautifully with spicy jalapeño and chili powder.
Get Ree's Peach Salsa recipe.
Watermelon Salsa
Sweet, juicy watermelon is the base of this colorful dip. Scoop up with warm chips or top chicken or fish in the summertime!
Get Ree's Watermelon Salsa recipe.
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