Green Salsa

We are absolutely obsessed with Tex-Mex around here – and living in Texas, we are right where we belong! When I’m not dreaming up a new spicy recipe to share on the blog, you can find us at one of the many incredible Tex-Mex spots in our area soaking it all in. From spicy margaritas and sizzling fajitas to crispy quesadillas, tacos, and mountains of chips and salsa – we love sampling all of it. It’s basically research at this point!

Why we love this recipe:

• Roasting makes all the difference – charring the tomatillos, jalapeños, and onion brings out a deep, smoky flavor that takes this salsa verde to a whole new level
• Fresh and vibrant ingredients – tomatillos, cilantro, garlic, and fresh lime juice create the most bright, bold, and authentic flavor in every single bite
• Ready in minutes – roast, blend, and done! This incredibly flavorful salsa comes together with minimal effort and maximum payoff
• Incredibly versatile – use it as a dip, pour it over tacos and enchiladas, stir it into soups, or eat it warm straight from the blender with blue corn chips — we won’t judge!

How to make the BEST Roasted Salsa Verde:

You can have fresh salsa in around 30 minutes, friends!

Step 1
Prep tomatillos. Remove the husks from the tomatillos. Rinse them in water, and use a paper towel to remove the stickiness.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Tex-Mex Toppings:

• Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe
• Chipotle Ranch Dressing
• Blender Salsa
• Avocado Crema
• Grilled Salsa

Dill Sauce for Fish

We first tried lemon dill sauce at a cozy little seaside restaurant in Seattle, and I knew I had to recreate it at home. It was simply impossible to resist that bright, fresh flavor and I literally licked my plate. We left with a happy stomach and a mission: to figure out the perfect recipe so we could enjoy that flavor anytime we wanted.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Bright and refreshing – the lemon adds zing while dill brings a clean, herby finish.
• Incredibly versatile – perfect with fish, chicken, roasted vegetables, potatoes, or as a dip.
• Light yet creamy – delivers richness without feeling heavy or overpowering.
• Quick to make – comes together in minutes with simple, everyday ingredients.
• Elevates simple meals – instantly upgrades weeknight dinners with minimal effort.

What You’ll Need:

• mayonnaise with olive oil – or use any mayo you keep on hand
• plain Greek yogurt
• shallot
• fresh dill
• lemon – you’ll use the zest of one lemon plus one tablespoon of juice
• seasonings – salt, pepper, onion powder
• granulated sugar

How to make Lemon Dill Sauce:

Step 1
Combine ingredients – mayonnaise, yogurt, minced shallot, finely chopped fresh dill, freshly grated lemon, seasonings (onion powder, salt, and pepper), and granulated sugar.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Sauce Recipes:

One of the secrets to delicious meals is to have a few go-to sauce recipes. Here are a few of our favorites.

• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
• Homemade Marinara Sauce
• Thai Peanut Sauce
• Pizza Sauce From Scratch
• Burger Sauce

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Global Vegetable Knife
• OXO Mini Whisk

Special Sauce

You know how certain jingles just stick with you forever? Like the McDonald’s Big Mac jingle – ‘Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.’ I can still recite it without even thinking! I grew up indulging in Big Macs as a kid, and honestly that special sauce is what I remember most. Consider this my homemade love letter to that iconic flavor!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple to make – just a handful of pantry staples whisked together in minutes – no cooking required!
• Better than anything store-bought – creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor that no bottled sauce can compete with
• Incredibly versatile – perfect on burgers, deconstructed burger bowls, fries, sandwiches, wraps, and so much more
• Make ahead friendly – it actually gets better as it sits in the refrigerator, making it the perfect sauce to prep ahead of time

What You’ll Need:

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Dill Pickle Relish
• Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper

Recipe Substitutions:

• Instead of mayo, you can try any combo of mayo, sour cream, and/or Greek yogurt.
• Try BBQ sauce or spicy sriracha instead of ketchup.
• Dijon mustard works instead of yellow mustard – for a more sophisticated flavor.
• Soy sauce could be subbed for Worcestershire and gives a similar umami flavor.
• Instead of dill pickle relish, chop up some dill pickles or try a sweet relish.
• The sky is the limit for seasonings. Make it your own!

How to make Special Burger Sauce:

Step 1
Combine ingredients. Combine all the burger sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl – the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, dill pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.

How to use this special sauce:

• Add it to our Deconstructed Burgers with Special Sauce.
• Top any burger like Goat Cheese Burgers, Mushroom Beef Burgers, or Mushroom Swiss Burgers with Caramelized Onions.
• Dip fries! Try our Baked Garlic Home Fries or Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries!

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Sauce Recipes:

You’ll almost always find a jar of sauce in our refrigerator at one time or another.

• Lemon Dill Sauce
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
• Healthy Tzatziki Sauce
• Thai Peanut Sauce

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• OXO mini whisk
• 8 oz. mason jars

Cilantro Lime Crema

It’s always a plus when a dressing doubles as a sauce, right? So while this zesty dressing can be drizzled on taco salads and burrito bowls, it also makes a great dipping sauce for chips, chicken strips, and tacos (or really anything).

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE – This easy cilantro lime dressing incorporates basic ingredients and is the real thing.
• ZESTY FLAVOR – The lime creates a refreshing and tangy flavor to any dish. 
• CUSTOMIZABLE – Cilantro dressing is a great base for customization. You can try various substitution options to suit your taste preferences. For example, if you prefer a creamier texture, you can add some extra yogurt or avocado. If you like it spicier, you can incorporate jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Other Tex-Mex Dressings:

In addition to this one, we love a variety of other homemade dressings for our taco obsession. Making your own dressings instead of using store-bought dressing will change your life.

• Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
• Chipotle Ranch Dressing
• Avocado Crema

How to use Cilantro Lime Dressing:

This creamy cilantro lime dressing recipe is good for Mexican food of all kinds.

• Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad
• Taco Crunch Wraps
• Fajita Taco Salad
• Healthy Taco Salad
• Carne Asada Bowls

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Mini Food Processor

Why This Recipe Works:

• Bold and smoky base – fire-roasted crushed tomatoes add a deep, rich flavor that a regular tomato sauce just can’t compete with
• The vodka makes all the difference – it enhances the tomato flavor and helps the cream and sauce come together in the most incredible way
• Perfectly spicy – red pepper flakes give this sauce just the right amount of heat without overpowering the other flavors
• Rich and creamy – heavy cream and freshly shredded parmesan create a luscious, velvety sauce that takes pizza night to a whole new level

What You’ll Need:

• olive oil
• onion & garlic
• seasonings – red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper
• fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
• vodka
• heavy cream
• parmesan cheese
• fresh basil (or use dried)

How to make Vodka Pizza Sauce:

Step 1
Sauté veggies. Heat a saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add olive oil and onions. Stir until onions are softened, about 2-3 minutes. Then add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add seasonings and stir well.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Sauce Recipes:

Making your own sauces is key to delicious cooking, in my opinion. Enjoy one of these recipes next.

• Homemade Marinara Sauce
• Pizza Sauce From Scratch
• Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Global 7-inch Knife
• Dutch Oven
• Silicone Spoon Spatula

Easy Pineapple Salsa

Making this pineapple jalapeño salsa is super easy, and the flavor combo is absolutely incredible – sweet, spicy, and totally fresh. Just chop, mix, and you’re done! Take it from me, the hardest part is deciding what to put it on first.

While I love a regular tomato-based salsa with tons of heat, I also love how the sweet flavor of pineapple adds a whole new flavor profile. Sweet AND spicy!

Serve our pineapple salsa with chips for an instant crowd-pleaser, spoon it over grilled chicken or fish, pile it onto tacos, or use it as a topping for your favorite burrito bowl. Honestly, once you make a batch, you’ll find yourself putting it on just about everything!

Reasons to love this recipe:

• Sweet and spicy – the perfect balance of sweet pineapple and spicy jalapeño
• Ready in minutes – just chop, mix, and serve
• Incredibly versatile – amazing on tacos, grilled chicken, smoked pork butt, grilled fish, chips, and more
• Fresh and light – no cooking required

How to tell if a pineapple is ripe:

• Smell the bottom. A ripe pineapple will have a sweet, tropical scent at the base. No smell means it’s not ready, and a fermented smell means it’s overripe.
• Give it a squeeze. It should have a slight give but not be mushy. If it’s rock hard, it needs more time.
• Check the color. Look for a golden yellow color at the base. It doesn’t need to be fully yellow all over, but avoid ones that are completely green.
• Pull a leaf. If a center leaf pulls out easily, the pineapple is ripe and ready to eat.

How to make Pineapple Salsa:

Step 1
Prep the pineapple. Choose a pineapple that is ripe (or let it sit on the counter until it’s ready to use). Remove the crown, the bottom, and the outer layer of the fruit. Slice around the hard core and discard the core. Dice the outer layer into small chunks. You’ll want about 4 cups of diced pineapple.

Ways to enjoy Pineapple Salsa:

• In our Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa or Blackened Salmon Rice Bowls
• Use with Easy Fish Tacos or Grilled Shrimp Tacos.
• Add to Carne Asada Burrito Bowls.
• Top some Shrimp Tostadas
• Enjoy with chips or eat it by the spoonful!

Recipe FAQs:

Why we LOVE this dressing:

• Bold, smoky flavor – the chipotle adds a gentle heat and smoky depth to the classic creamy ranch.
• Versatile – great on salads, tacos, bowls, roasted veggies, or as a dip for chips and wings.
• Light yet satisfying – creamy texture without feeling overly heavy or greasy.
• Quick flavor boost – transforms simple meals into something exciting and flavorful.

How to make Chipotle Ranch Dressing:

While I normally use a mini food processor to make this dressing, you can chop the cilantro and chipotle peppers and combine the dressing in a mixing bowl instead.

Step 1
Combine ingredients. To a small food processor, combine the Greek yogurt, mayo, and seasonings (salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika).

Step 2
Chop the cilantro. Use a sharp knife to roughly chop cilantro until you get about 1/3 cup. Add to food processor.

I find that cilantro stems don’t process as well in the food processor so I roughly chop them before adding them.

Why We Love This Recipe:

• Perfect balance of sweet and tangy – the maple syrup and Dijon mustard complement each other beautifully.
• Versatile – works on salads, roasted veggies, grain bowls, and even as a marinade.
• Quick and easy – ready in just a few minutes with simple ingredients.
• Healthier option – made with wholesome ingredients and healthy oils.
• Customizable – you can adjust sweetness, tanginess, or add herbs for variety.

This maple dijon dressing goes great with our Kale and Butternut Squash Salad (pictured below) and others!

What You’ll Need:

This short list of ingredients are almost always on hand at our house, which makes it super easy to make homemade dressings at the last minute.

• extra-virgin olive oil
• red wine vinegar
• orange juice
• pure maple syrup
• dijon mustard
• shallots
• salt and pepper

How to make Maple Dijon Dressing:

Step 1
Combine ingredients. In a large mason jar, combine the ingredients – extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, orange juice, pure maple syrup, dijon dressing, minced shallot, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Salad Dressings:

I NEVER buy store-bought dressings anymore. Making homemade dressings is easy and then we always know exactly what we’re eating!

• Honey Lemon Dressing
• Spinach Salad Dressing
• Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Grinder Salad Dressing

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Wide Mouth Mason Jar
• Global Vegetable Knife

Best Pesto Mayonnaise

We’ve been pretty unsuccessful about growing certain veggies in our yard – specifically tomatoes. There was one year that went particularly well – and that was a unicorn. But when it comes to basil, we’ve had year after year of success. So guess what? Lots of pesto sauce has been made!

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE RECIPE – This recipe combines a few simple ingredients. If you don’t want to make homemade pesto sauce, feel free to use store-bought sauce instead.
• DELICIOUS FLAVOR – We’re huge pesto fans, and basil is the one plant we have successfully grown on our patio, and that’s saying something.
• PERFECT FOR SANDWICHES – There is nothing better than a big ole sandwich, and this pesto mayo makes it more delicious than words! Try it, you’ll like it!

What You’ll Need:

• homemade pesto sauce – you’ll need a combo of fresh basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil.
• mayonnaise – use any mayonnaise you keep in your kitchen.
• fresh lemon juice

How to make Pesto Mayo:

Step 1
Make homemade pesto sauce. In a large food processor, combine fresh basil, garlic, freshly grated parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and salt & pepper. Pulse for about one minute. Then drizzle extra-virgin olive oil in food processor as it runs. Spoon into a bowl.

Ways to use Pesto Mayo:

• We love pesto mayo on a simple deli sandwich or wrap.
• Try it on our Club Sandwich with Pesto Mayo.
• Breakfast sandwiches with eggs and bacon
• Salmon Burgers or Turkey Burgers
• As a dressing for pasta salad
• As a dip for chips or Baked Garlic Home Fries

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Condiments:

• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
• Chipotle Ranch Dressing
• Grilled Salsa
• Healthy Tzatziki Sauce

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Food Processor
• Citrus Juicer

5-Minute Salsa

This quick 5-minute salsa is just that – QUICK! Add everything to a blender and you’ve got yourself a delicious condiment for countless things. We’re huge Tex-Mex people at our home and usually partake in tacos, taco salads, or burrito bowls every single week.

While we love our Grilled Salsa recipe, it takes significantly more time. This 5-minute recipe is one that you’ll want to keep handy for quick weeknight dinners or anytime.

Why This Recipe Works:

• QUICK AND EASY – We love a five minute recipe, especially one that can be used in so many ways.
• CUSTOMIZABLE – You can make this recipe your own. Add more or less of everything to tailor it to your taste buds. Customize it and let me know if you have a favorite combination!
• FULL OF FLAVOR – If you’re a chips and salsa lover, you’ll appreciate the flavors of this simple recipe. I think my favorite way to enjoy blender salsa is with a bunch of chips!

Ingredients Used:

Making this blender salsa is quick and easy. Just seven ingredients, and you literally just throw everything in the blender (or food processor) and pulse. Done in a few secs. Easy peasy.

• Tomatoes – For simplicity, use fire-roasted tomatoes. However, if you have access to seasonal garden tomatoes, use those instead.
• Jalapeño – One of my favorite ingredients, as seen from my countless Tex-Mex recipes.
• Red Onion – Gives this salsa a sweet, mild flavor, and crunchy texture.
• Garlic – We use just one garlic clove.
• Cilantro – If you like cilantro, it’s a must in salsa recipes.
• Freshly-Squeezed Lime Juice – For freshness!
• Salt and Pepper – While we’re adding kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, you can add other spices if desired (like ground cumin or red pepper flakes).

How to make Quick Blender Salsa:

Step 1
Add ingredients to blender. To a large blender (or food processor), add salsa ingredients – tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings. Give the veggies a rough chop before adding to the food processor (as seen below).

Recipe FAQs:

How to enjoy this 5-Minute Salsa:

• With chips! We also like to pair this duo with our Chunky Guacamole Recipe.
• Add quick salsa to Tex-Mex bowl recipes. Try our Shrimp Taco Bowls, Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls, or Carne Asada Burrito Bowls.
• Top skillet recipes. Add it to Skillet Beef Enchiladas, Mexican Breakfast Skillet, or Turkey Taco Skillet.
• Salsa belongs on tacos! Try our Wonton Taco Cups, Taco Crunch Wraps, Crispy Black Bean Tacos, and Blackened Fish Tacos with Slaw.

Other Delicious Salsa Recipes:

Try one of these delicious salsa recipes next!

• Grilled Salsa
• Homemade Salsa Verde
• Pineapple Salsa Recipe

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Global 7-inch Knife 
• Food Processor

Homemade Pesto Sauce

We are nuts over homemade pesto sauce and this version is a slight adaption of our Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce recipe. This recipe is for when you want to make the pesto sauce go further using half basil and half spinach. If you don’t have a large pot of fresh basil on your porch like we do, this one might come in handy.

Ingredients Used:

• Greens – spinach leaves and fresh basil leaves
• Garlic Cloves
• Pine Nuts – Make sure you toast the pine nuts before using.
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

How to make Spinach Pesto Sauce:

Step 1
Combine ingredients. In the bowl of a large food processor, combine the dry ingredients – fresh spinach leaves and basil leaves, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and shredded parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

How to Use Spinach Pesto Sauce:

• Pesto Flatbread Pizza
• Pesto Veggie Sandwich
• Pesto Bread
• Italian Minestrone Soup with Pesto

Freeze Small Portions

Before the beginning of my blogging days, I would have never considered making pesto sauce. Now that it’s a staple in our home, I can’t think of a better sauce to make and keep in small batches in my freezer.

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• OXO Box Grater
• 11-Cup Cuisinart Food Processor

Hot Fudge Sauce

Over the years, my list of homemade ice cream recipes has continued to grow due to two factors. One, my dessert love language is and always has been ice cream. And two, my readers continue to request new recipes.

So it only makes sense that I finally share a hot fudge sauce recipe here too. Right?

Why This Recipe Works:

• JUST FIVE INGREDIENTS – This simple hot fudge sauce contains just five simple ingredients. It’s also quick to make on the stovetop which is a win/win.
• THICK AND DELICIOUS – Let the sauce sit at room temperature on your countertop (uncovered) and it will thicken up fairly quickly.
• FUDGY – Hot fudge sauce is extra fudgy and is great on ice cream sundaes or a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream!

What You’ll Need:

You’ll find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store.

How to make Chocolate Fudge Sauce:

Step 1
Melt the chocolate. In a small saucepan, add the butter and chopped chocolate over medium heat. Cook until the chocolate is completely melted, stirring constantly.

Favorite Ice Cream Recipes:

So many ice cream flavors, so little time, right? Here are some of our favorite ice cream recipes to enjoy with the best hot fudge sauce.

Other Chocolate Desserts:

Some of our favorite desserts are chocolate! It’s a good thing to have choices.

• Cookies – Brownie Crinkle Cookies, Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies, or Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Brownies – Texas Sheet Cake Brownies, Triple Chocolate Brownies, or Oreo Brownie Cookies
• Cakes – Chocolate Cookie Cake, Chocolate Buttermilk Cake, or Mini Lava Cakes

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• All-Clad Sauce Pan
• Silicone Spatula