Description
This vibrant and zesty Salsa Roja recipe features roasted roma tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions blended with fresh garlic, lime juice, and cilantro for a flavorful homemade salsa perfect for dipping or topping your favorite Mexican dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 8 roma tomatoes
- 1/2 small onion
- 2 jalapeño peppers
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables: Spread the roma tomatoes, half an onion, and jalapeño peppers evenly on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Roast Vegetables: Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast the vegetables for about 20 minutes until they blister. Then switch to broil mode and broil for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are nicely charred for added smoky flavor.
- Transfer to Food Processor: Carefully transfer the roasted tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, and any juices from the pan into a food processor. Add the garlic cloves and the juice from half a lime.
- Blend Salsa: Blend the mixture until smooth. Then add fresh cilantro and pulse a few times to incorporate the herbs without fully pureeing them, preserving some texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salsa and adjust salt, pepper, and lime juice if needed to balance flavor.
- Serve: Transfer salsa to a serving bowl and enjoy with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, grilled meats, or eggs.
Notes
- Jalapeño peppers can be adjusted for heat preferences or replaced with milder peppers for less spice.
- Roasting and broiling the vegetables adds a deep smoky flavor that enhances the salsa.
- For a chunkier salsa, pulse fewer times in the food processor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days.