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    Home » Recipes » Mexican Salsa Recipes

    Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe [VIDEO]

    Published: Feb 14, 2019 · Updated: Aug 22, 2019 by Maggie Unzueta

    This Molcajete Salsa Verde recipe is a tasty and fabulous treat. This is as authentic Mexican food gets and goes great with just about everything!
    Jump to Recipe
    This Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe is a tasty and fabulous treat. This is as authentic Mexican food gets and goes great with just about everything! By Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    This Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe is a tasty and fabulous treat. This is as authentic Mexican food gets and goes great with just about everything!

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

    Watch the video and step-by-step pictures below to make this yummy dish at home.

    Molcajete Salsa Verde surrounded by corn tortilla chips and green cilantro.

    Let’s say you are having the party of the century. Your house will full of people, and you want to wow your guests.

    Well, this Molcajete Salsa Verde is a show stopper.

    I’m not kidding you.

    I would even make it right in front of people. Most people have never seen a molcajete or know what it is.

    They will think you’re a culinary genius!

    Molcajete on a blue towel and wood surface.

    Table of Contents

    • 1 How to Make Molcajete Salsa Verde:
      • 1.1 How to care for a Molcajete
      • 1.2 How to Clean a Molcajete After Use
        • 1.2.1 How to Pick Tomatillos
          • 1.2.1.1 Other Ways to Roast Tomatillos
    • 2 Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe
      • 2.1 Ingredients
      • 2.2 Instructions
      • 2.3 Video
      • 2.4 Notes
      • 2.5 Nutrition

    How to Make Molcajete Salsa Verde:

    You need a molcajete. I place a towel underneath for a sturdier grip. You don’t want it to move around while you’re grinding.

    What is a Molcajete?

    The word “Molcajete” comes from the Nahuatl “molcaxitl.” This is a Mexican mortar and pestle used to grind food. It goes back thousands of years.

    Molcajetes are round and made of volcanic rock.

    You might see them decorated with carved heads of an animal and with short legs. They sort of look like short, stout animals.

    How to care for a Molcajete

    When you first get your molcajete, you need to cure or season it. Watch the video on how to season a molcajete video.

    It’s actually very simple, but involves a lot of elbow grease.

    You need rice, garlic, and lots of rinsing.

    After all, we are talking about volcanic rock here.

    Just know that you will never get it fully clean.

    How to Clean a Molcajete After Use

    Don’t use soap. Use a good brush and lots of warm water.

    For sticky or hard to get areas, use lemon. Then continue scrubbing.

    Rinse it well. Then let it air dry.

    That’s it. Easy, I know.

    Tomatillos (or green tomatoes) on a blue towel

    To make Molcajete Salsa Verde, you need tomatillo. These green tomatoes are tart.

    Don’t eat them raw, or cooked for that matter.

    Remove the husks and rinse well. There is usually dust underneath the husk.

    They will be sticky to the touch.

    How to Pick Tomatillos

    For this molcajete recipe, be sure to squeeze the tomatillos at the grocery store.

    Get firm, green tomatillos that are slightly coming out of the husk.

    If you feel any softness, they are probably not good, and/or will go bad sooner than you want.

    You also want green ones, not overly white ones. Those are not ripe and will take some time to ripen.

    However, if you a making a salsa molcajete in a few days, the whiter ones might be good to take home.

    Jalapenos that have been halved and seeded on a marble surface.

    These are two seeded and deveined jalapeños.

    By removing the seeds and the veins from the inside, you are removing the seeds.

    Sometimes, you can’t get all of the seeds or all of the veins. That’s perfectly ok.

    One or two seeds won’t hurt.

    You can also use serrano peppers. I always get whatever is on sale.

    Ingredients for Molcajete Salsa Verde on a cookie sheet.

    On a sheet pan, place all the ingredients.

    Add oil to the ingredients.

    You can use spray oil as well, but I am using the stuff in a bottle to coat them well.

    I use extra virgin olive oil.

    You can use whatever oil you like. Coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil.

    Orange measuring spoon over a metal cookie sheet and the ingredients for tomatillo salsa verde.

    Once the oil is on the ingredients, the salt will stick better to the ingredients.

    I use sea salt from Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It supplies all of Mexico with salt.

    It’s an interesting town founded by an American who saw the massive amounts of raw salt in the area and decided to build a huge production factory.

    Guerrero Negro also is home to a large lagoon where the whales come to give birth each year. On your way to docks, you will see mountains of salt.

    It truly is a sight to see.

    Place the ingredients in the oven under the broiler for a 8-10 minutes. Check everything after 8 minutes and remove the garlic and onion.

    Then return the pan into the oven and under the broiler until the skin on the tomatillos are black.

    Other Ways to Roast Tomatillos

    You can also do this on a comal, or a griddle. During the summer months, you can also do this on the grill.

    Roasting everything under the broiler is by far the easiest way to do this. I also find it easier to clean up.

    If you don’t want to roast, you can also boil all the ingredients and continue the rest of the steps to making the Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe.

    Garlic being mashed in a with salt in a molcajete.

    Making Molcajete Salsa Verde is easy.

    The first thing that goes in the molcajete is salt and garlic.

    Mash that first before adding any other ingredients.

    There are people who do this with raw garlic. That’s fine too, but we’re talking about RAW garlic.

    When I do this, I make sure that everyone has some of the Molcajete Salsa Verde. That way we all have the same garlicky breath. LOL.

    Roasted garlic, for me, is sweet and yummy. It’s what I prefer.

    The pestle mashing up the jalapeno in a molcajete.

    Next mash the roasted jalapeños.

    Mash this up well.

    Take your time in doing this.

    You don’t want large chunks of jalapeño. Or your Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe will be too spicy.

    Tomatillos being smashed in a molcajete sitting on a blue towel.

    Please watch the video on how to make Molcajete Salsa Verde. I say this because there’s a trick when you add the tomatillos.

    Any good molcajete recipe will tell you the same thing: You have to go slow.

    Press down and be gentle. Or, it will squirt and go everywhere.

    No bueno!

    Mash slowly.

    Add one tomatillo at a time.

    You can also make Tomato Molcajete Salsa which is just as delicious.

    It’s the same process with cooked tomatillos and cooked tomatoes in a molcajete. You need to start slow then continue mashing.

    Roasted diced onion in a molcajete salsa verde sitting on a blue towel.

    I roasted the diced onions. You can add raw onions instead, but it’s the same thing as raw garlic.

    If you go raw, make sure everyone takes a bite of the salsa molcajete, and all is well.

    Cilantro in a molcajete with green salsa verde.

    Lastly lots of chopped cilantro.

    I’ve been to restaurants in Mexico that serve Molcajete Salsa Verde. It comes with chopped cilantro just like this – piled on top.

    I mix it, but I think it looks so pretty with the mountain of cilantro.

    Molcajete Salsa Verde makes a great addition to chicken, fish, beef, or just as is.

    With chips, there’s nothing better than a big bowl of salsa.

    Hope you enjoy!

    Molcajete Salsa Verde surrounded by corn tortilla chips and green cilantro.

    Don’t forget to watch the video on how to make Molcajete Salsa Verde

    Molcajete Salsa Verde surrounded by corn tortilla chips and green cilantro.

    Molcajete Salsa Verde Recipe

    This Molcajete Salsa Verde recipe is a tasty and fabulous treat. This is as authentic Mexican food gets and goes great with just about everything!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 56kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
    • 6 tomatillos
    • ¼ onion diced
    • 2 jalapeños - halved seeded, and deveined
    • 1 garlic clove
    • Handful of cilantro chopped
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    • On a sheet pan, add the tomatillos, onions, jalapeños, and garlic.
    • Drizzle with olive oil.
    • Mix to coat well.
    • Sprinkle with salt.
    • Place under a broiler on HIGH for 8 minutes.
    • Remove the onion and garlic.
    • Check the tomatillos.
    • If they are not fully charred, place them back under the broiler for 2 more minutes.
    • If they need are done, continue with the recipe.
    • To a molcajete, add a teaspoon of salt and the garlic.
    • Grind up the garlic with the salt.
    • Add the jalapeños.
    • Grind up the jalapeños as best as you can.
    • Add tomatillos one at a time.
    • Gently press down at first, or the tomatillo will squirt out all its juices.
    • Then continue mashing.
    • Do this for all the tomatillos until there are none left.
    • Add the diced onions and chopped cilantro.
    • With the pestle, mix to combine.
    • Taste for salt.
    • Serve with chips or as a topping for your Mexican favorite dishes.

    Video

    Notes

    Instead of a jalapenos, you can also use serrano peppers. 
    You can also boil the ingredients, but you will lose the roasted flavor in the salsa. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    More Mexican Salsa Recipes

    • Taqueria-Style Salsa Serrano served in a glass container with a spoon and surrounded by cilantro and lime.
      Taqueria-Style Salsa Serrano
    • Roasted Tomato Salsa served in a salsa bowl next to a sprig of cilantro.
      Roasted Tomato Salsa + VIDEO
    • Hand holding a chip with salsa chile piquin over a molcajete.
      Chile Piquin Salsa + VIDEO
    • A clay bowl with salsa morita surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Salsa Morita

    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

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jen Talley

      July 08, 2020 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never made this homemade before! It looks delcicious!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 08, 2020 at 2:39 pm

        I hope you can try it, it’s the best!

        Reply
    2. Sara

      July 07, 2020 at 9:10 pm

      5 stars
      I’m now drooling. Oh my heavens! 🥰😍

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 08, 2020 at 2:40 pm

        Right? So easy and delicious

        Reply
    3. Amy

      July 07, 2020 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      This salsa verde was sooo good! Made a big batch so we could have some extra for another meal but it all got smashed!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 08, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        I think so too so good. Glad you liked it

        Reply
    4. Marina

      July 07, 2020 at 3:57 am

      5 stars
      Love salsa verde, never tried Mexican version. Will definitely give it a go, thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 07, 2020 at 7:34 am

        I think you will love this recipe! salsa verde is the best.

        Reply
    5. Chef Dennis

      July 07, 2020 at 1:11 am

      5 stars
      This Molcajete Salsa Verde looks really delicious! Perfect for my dishes!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 21, 2020 at 10:36 am

        It’s delicious! Hope you try it

        Reply
    6. Alexandra

      July 06, 2020 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      So many delicious uses for this lovely salsa Verde – LOVE the flavours.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 07, 2020 at 7:38 am

        Glad you liked it. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    7. Robyn

      July 06, 2020 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      This looks incredible, it will elevate any dish for sure – and you can’t beat homemade salsa and chips! Yum!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 07, 2020 at 7:39 am

        Yummy, love homemade salsa and chips. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    8. Tayo

      July 06, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this looks so amazing. I have never had this before but I love that it is low carb and spicy; two of my favorite things!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 07, 2020 at 7:39 am

        Thank you! Hope you try it.

        Reply
    9. Emily Flint

      July 06, 2020 at 10:27 am

      5 stars
      I’ve always wanted a molcajete and now I am totally getting one…and then making this recipe. Thanks for all of the great tips on caring for the gadget and making this salsa!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 08, 2020 at 3:04 pm

        I’m so glad you liked all the tips and recipes! This salsa recipe is really good.

        Reply
    10. Sue

      July 06, 2020 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      Clearly I need a molcajete in my kitchen!! Salsa – YUM

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 07, 2020 at 7:37 am

        So easy and delicious! You definitely need a molcajete in your kitchen, it makes all the difference when making salsas!

        Reply
    11. Sabrina

      July 06, 2020 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      Yummy! So authentic.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 07, 2020 at 7:35 am

        Right? and delicious too!

        Reply
    12. Megan

      February 19, 2019 at 7:38 am

      *flies to the store to get all of the ingredients to make this magic*

      Reply
    13. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      February 19, 2019 at 4:28 am

      Love a good salsa verde, that sounds like a winner.

      Reply
    14. Amberly

      February 18, 2019 at 9:25 pm

      My husband would love this!! I’ll have to make it soon.

      Reply
    15. Em

      February 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm

      Totally need this! The recipe looks perfect!

      Reply
    16. leah

      February 18, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      oh yummy! I love anything with peppers in it plus salsa is my jam!

      Reply

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    iBienvenidos! I'm Maggie. Welcome to my blog! My passion is authentic Mexican food and traveling throughout Mexico to bring you the very BEST in culture and cuisine.

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