salsa recipes

Salsa Tips

Prep Pointers

• Salsa is the perfect make-ahead party appetizer since it often tastes better the next day.
• When cooking with chile peppers, wear disposable gloves and avoid touching your face, eyes or other sensitive areas.
• Most of the heat in a chile pepper is found in the seeds and inner white membrane, so discard these for milder salsa. 
• To easily chop a tomato for salsa, cut it into wedges, then cut the wedges into smaller pieces.
• It’s easy to customize a salsa recipe to your family’s tastes.  If you know members of your family are not fans of a particular ingredient, like garlic or peppers, simply decrease or omit it.
• Try using a sweet onion, like Vidalia or Maui, in place of a yellow or white onion in your favorite salsa recipe.  Sweet onions have a milder taste that works especially well in fruit salsas. 
• Change up your salsa recipe by using non-traditional ingredients:  substitute fresh basil for cilantro; use roasted or grilled peppers instead of fresh; add sun-dried tomatoes.

Mealtime Ideas

• Salsa can be a fresh and flavorful condiment with dinner, and tastes even better when you use in-season produce to make it. Visit our Seasonal Produce Guide for ideas.
• If you have extra salsa in the fridge, try making our Salsa Turkey Grill sandwiches as part of a quick hearty lunch.
• More than just tomatoes!  Fruit-based salsas, like Mango Carrot Salsa or Citrus Salsa make a great alternative to your usual salsa recipe and taste wonderful with baked or grilled fish.
• Try making your own Fresh Tomato Salsa for taco night—pass around the table with your other favorite taco toppers.
• Stir salsa into your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe for a new twist on an old favorite.