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    Home » Recipes » Mexican » Mexican Red Salsa

    Mexican Red Salsa

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted September 6, 2015 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    A staple in every Mexican household. Alone or on top of quesadillas, this salsa is delicious for just about any meal.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Mexican Salsa Roja

    Confession: I will occasionally buy a jar of Mexican red salsa. If you know my mom, please, PLEASE don’t tell her my dirty little secret. It’s a time saving, busy mom thing. Most of the time, though, I make my own. Making salsa from scratch reminds me of my childhood. The blender going. Knowing to avoid the kitchen or else, or you’d have to help cook… We were kids, after all. Playing and watching TV were of the utmost importance. 🙂

    Making Salsa Roja Mexicana with onions, tomatoes, chile and cilantro

    Once, I showed up to a Super Bowl party with my homemade Mexican red salsa, and it was the hit of the party. Everyone wanted my recipe. Take it to a potluck, and you’ll see what I mean. More people seem to like the red salsa as opposed to the green salsa. Or is that just me? Personally, I don’t really care if it’s green or red as long as it’s hot and spicy. I bet you didn’t know spicy food is good for you. It is! Prevents heart disease, helps you lose weight, and chilis fight cancer. Yay. Yay. And YAY!

    Blending salsa ingredients

    This is a very basic recipe. From here, you can do all kinds of things. Add chipotle for extra spice, mix it with cream cheese and make a dip, combine it with ground beef for a Mexican fiesta night. Versatility is the name of the game. After you try making your own salsa, you’ll never go back to the jar stuff… unless for emergency cases like you have a crazy craving for chips and salsa. From one spicy food lover to another, I know… the struggle is real!

    Mexican Red Salsa

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    Mexican Red Salsa | In Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Mexican Red Salsa

    A staple in every Mexican household. Alone or on top of quesadillas, this salsa is delicious for just about any meal.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 109kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups of water
    • 4 to matoes
    • 1/4 onion
    • 1 jalapeño
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 handful of cilantro

    Instructions

    • Put the tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, and garlic in a large pot with 6 cups of water.
    • Bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
    • Discard the water.
    • Let the ingredients cool slightly and put into a blender.
    • Add salt and cilantro.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Makes 1 cup.
    • Serve and enjoy.
    • iBuen Provecho!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2428mg | Potassium: 1206mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 4385IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Mexican Red Salsa

    Filed Under: Mexican

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      September 8, 2015 at 8:22 am

      I love homemade salsa, and I could eat chips and dip pretty much every single day! Will defintiely be trying out this super tasty recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2015 at 10:27 am

        I could eat chips and salsa everyday too. It’s almost an obsession!

        Reply
    2. Ana De- Jesus

      September 8, 2015 at 3:10 pm

      This looks heavenly I would put this with tortilla chips for a tasty appetizer.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2015 at 10:26 am

        Chips and salsa. My guilty pleasure!

        Reply
    3. Claire

      September 8, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love homemade salsa! I can’t do spicy though eeeeek! My husband would LOVE this though he thinks the spicier the better!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2015 at 10:26 am

        Bummer. I grew up with spicy food. Can’t get enough of it.

        Reply
    4. Ashleigh

      September 8, 2015 at 5:40 pm

      I have always wanted to make homemade salsa but have always been to scared. I will have to try this recipe.. fingers crossed it turns out good!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 19, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        I have faith in you! It’s delicious

        Reply
    5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

      September 9, 2015 at 1:11 pm

      I feel like salsa is the same as jarred marinara sauce. It’s ok to buy the jarred stuff!! But better to make your own. . love this red salsa and love that serrano chili!

      Reply
    6. Brianna @Flippin' Delicious

      September 10, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      I LOVE homemade salsa! It always tastes so much better than anything from a jar. Looks delicious Maggie!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 22, 2015 at 10:26 am

        My thoughts exactly. Homemade all the way!

        Reply
    7. Tracy

      October 2, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Eons ago, I made a salsa where the recipe called for boiling the tomatoes. My split open and I lost all the juice and seeds. Was that a bad thing or do you lower the heat to retain the tomato innards??
      Regardless, YOU post a recipe…I’m gonna try it Ü

      Reply
    8. Diana

      May 28, 2019 at 5:11 pm

      5 stars
      Egads! I have no cilantro. When do I ever not have cilantro? Oh well, I blended it up and it smells just right. I personally know that I need that cilantro, but my gringo family will think this is spot on. I can tell by the smell – that intangible just right smell.

      Reply
    9. Claude Harbert

      December 19, 2020 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      This is the best salsa I’ve ever made. Authentic, healthy and cheap! Not to mention how good it tastes. It don’t get any better! This is now my “go to” recipe for red salsa. I cut my jalapeño in half and remove the seeds on one of the halves. This leaves it spicy enough for everyone.

      Very happy with the recipe and yes, this is indeed a “Keeper!”

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:51 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
      • George Dowling

        August 20, 2022 at 7:59 am

        Go Buy some “CILANTRO”!… EVERY “KITCHEN”, Should Always Have “Cilantro” & “GARLIC”!…

        Reply
        • Maggie Unzueta

          August 22, 2022 at 2:00 pm

          I agree.

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