This 5 minute salsa recipe is easy to make and is perfect served with chips and guacamole as a simple snack or alongside quesadillas and enchiladas.
Before this salsa, I would use jarred, shop-bought salsa or pile fresh pico de gallo or guacamole on my chips and all of those are fine. But then this salsa came into my life and I have not been able to stop since.
The fact that it literally takes 5 minutes to make (this includes the time it will take you to gather the ingredients. The actual salsa-making-time is like 1-2 minutes max) is such a bonus. I whip up jars and jars of the stuff every other day and use it on everything. Literally, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. As a side to grilled chicken, on top of my scrambled eggs in the morning, stirred into pasta sauces. I mean, it’s clear to see I’m a little obsessed. It’s bright, just a little spicy, zingy and just perfect for easy snacking so go ahead and make a batch asap. You won’t regret it.
What is salsa made of?
Salsa is made of tomato, onion, cilantro (fresh coriander), jalapeño, lime and seasoning. You can use either fresh or canned tomatoes for this salsa but I have found the best consistency with using canned. If you want a thicker salsa, drain the tomatoes of the excess juice before blending. Feel free to play around with other herbs, garlic and different kinds of peppers.
What to serve with salsa
- Mexican chicken lunch bowls
- Mexican grilled chicken
- Crispy fish tacos with hot sauce crema
- Spicy chicken & feta quesidillas with guacamole
- Rotisserie chicken nachos

How to make 5 minute salsa
Ingredients
- 1 x 400g 14oz can chopped tomatoes (drain the tomatoes if you want a thicker salsa)
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- small handful fresh coriander/cilantro to taste
- 2 fresh Jalapeños seeds removed (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- pinch of sugar optional
- salt & pepper to taste
- lemon/lime juice to taste
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the ingredients have just been broken down. Take care not to blend too much as the salsa will lose all its texture.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
- This salsa will keep for up to 10 days in a sealed container in the fridge.
Just made sheet pan nachos with some leftover mince and made this salsa, AMAZING!!
Hubby said it was my best nachos yet 🙂
Yay! Your nachos sound delicious!
Has to be the beautiful salsa I’ve ever seen Alida! Your photos are just magnificent. And I love how easy the salsa is!
What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much Mary Ann!
Could you use fresh tomatoes instead of canned? I have so many tomatoes needing to be used and would love to make this salsa.
Absolutely. I would blanche them and then remove the seeds to ensure a similar result.
Great recipe Alida!
Thanks Naomi!
Great video. Could you use other herbs instead of the cilantro?
You could, the flavour will just be different. Any soft herbs can be substituted. Parsley will have the most neutral flavour but even basil could work. It’s worth experimenting if you don’t like cilantro.
LOVE this recipe. It looks just like the salsa I have at my favorite Mexican restaurant.
It’s totally delicious! Let me know what you think if you try it!
Thank you!