Homemade Salsa Verde

Green Salsa

Salsa verde (aka green sauce) is a type of spicy, green sauce in Mexican cuisine based on tomatillo and green chili peppers.Some say it’s milder than a regular salsa, but It depends on the jalapeños used (whether or not seeds and ribs are used, and how much).

The primary difference between regular salsa and salsa verde is that tomatillos are used (instead of red tomatoes) in green salsa. Due to the tomatillos, salsa verde has a tangy, zesty flavor with hints of roasted green chiles and onions.

What are tomatillos?

Tomatillos are fruits that are native to Mexico. They are sometimes called husk tomatoes, and look like small green un-ripe tomatoes with a dry, leafy husk that wraps around the outside.

Tomatillos have a more acidic flavor than regular tomatoes, and are slightly less sweet. They are also more dense and less watery. Roasting them, as in this case, mellows out the acidity a bit, while still bringing out an amazing flavor. You can also eat them raw if preferred.

Ingredients Needed

• Tomatillos – You’ll need just over a pound of tomatillos for this recipe. Make sure you peek under the husk to make sure it’s plump and not discolored in any way.
• Jalapeno – I used one for my recipe, but you could use more for extra heat, or remove the ribs and seeds for less heat.
• Onion – One half of a medium onion was the perfect balance for me. I occasionally roast them along with the tomatillos and jalapeño, but it’s not required.
• Garlic – A couple of cloves of garlic is a nice amount.
• Cilantro – The cilantro is such an important ingredient, but if you dislike the taste, parsley could be substituted (even though it’s not my favorite).
• Lime – You’ll need to freshly squeeze one large lime. If the lime isn’t producing much juice, use another!
• Salt – Kosher salt is my go-to.

How to make the BEST Homemade Salsa Verde

YOU can have fresh salsa in under 30 minutes, friends!

1. Prep tomatillos. Remove the husks from the tomatillos. Rinse them in water, and use a paper towel to remove the stickiness.
2. Broil veggies. Place the tomatillos, jalapeño, and chopped onion on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Broil (on high) in the oven for about 5 minutes, carefully turn the veggies over and broil again. Watch closely so that the veggies don’t burn. Some browning is good, but burnt is not! Let the veggies cool slightly.
3. Combine. Combine all ingredients in a food processor – the roasted tomatillos, jalapeño, and onion, as well as the garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Pulse until well blended.
4. Cool. Pour the salsa into a bowl and refrigerate until cool.
5. Serve. Serve the freshly salsa with some chips of your choice. We like the blue chips! You can also add it to a variety of Tex-Mex dishes. See list below!

Possible Variations

Don’t be afraid of adapting this recipe to fit your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas.

• Roast the tomatillos or not.
• Add the spice level you like. Use jalapeños, serranos (five times as spicy as jalapeños), or just leave out the seeds and ribs of the peppers for a milder flavor.
• Use a little bit of onion and garlic, or more.
• Adjust the amount of cilantro. We LOVE it, but not everyone does!
• Lime Juice – a big squeeze or just a little bit.
• Add salt plus additional spices, if preferred. Red pepper flakes and/or cumin would also be good.

Ways to Enjoy Salsa Verde

• Top a burrito bowl – Add some salsa verde to my Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls or Carne Asada Burrito Bowls. Two of our go-to meals on Taco Tuesday!
• Include them in tacos – Add a few spoonfuls to my Easy Fish Tacos or my Grilled Shrimp Tacos. Absolutely delish!
• Add to salads – I love using salsa verde in my Healthy Taco Salad Recipe.
• Other ways – Use my homemade green salsa in my Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas, instead of using store-bought.
• Or just enjoy it with chips and margaritas! 😀

• Baking Sheet
• Food Processor

Make this Tex-Mex recipe next: Beef and Bean Nachos