Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Condiment
Ingredients
- 5 ripe Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- ½ medium white onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ½ teaspoon ground cumin for extra flavor
Instructions
Step 1
Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Dice the tomatoes into small, even pieces and transfer them to a medium mixing bowl.
Step 2
Finely chop the onion and jalapeño. If you prefer a milder salsa, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño before chopping.
Step 3
Chop the fresh cilantro and mince the garlic as finely as possible.
Step 4
Add the onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and garlic to the bowl with the tomatoes.
Step 5
Pour in the freshly squeezed lime juice.
Step 6
Season with sea salt, black pepper, and optional ground cumin.
Step 7
Mix gently with a spoon until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 8
Allow the salsa to rest in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the flavors blend together beautifully.
Step 9
Serve chilled with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled meats, seafood, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, or salads.
Recipe Tips
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes for the best texture.
- Fresh lime juice provides a brighter flavor than bottled juice.
- Refrigerating the salsa before serving improves the taste.
- Remove excess tomato seeds if you prefer a thicker salsa.
- Add more jalapeño or a serrano pepper for extra heat.
- For a smoky flavor, stir in a little chipotle powder.
Storage
Store Salsa Fresca in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, as some liquid may naturally separate. This recipe is not recommended for freezing because fresh tomatoes lose their texture after thawing.
Serving Suggestions
Salsa Fresca pairs perfectly with:
- Tortilla chips
- Fish tacos
- Chicken tacos
- Burrito bowls
- Grilled steak
- Grilled chicken
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelets
- Nachos
- Rice bowls
- Avocado toast
- Quesadillas
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 28
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 205 mg
- Potassium: 235 mg
- Vitamin A: 14% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 24% Daily Value
- Calcium: 2% Daily Value
- Iron: 3% Daily Value