Tomato Habanero Salsa

Name: Tomato Habanero Salsa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 habanero peppers; 3 tomatoes; 1 garlic clove; ¼ onion; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

This smoky Tomato Habanero Salsa is made with charred tomatoes, spicy habanero peppers, onion, and garlic for a bold, flavorful salsa with a fiery kick.

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A blue bowl filled with vibrant tomato habanero salsa and a spoon, surrounded by tortilla chips on a wooden surface. A small brown pot, a colorful cloth, and some cilantro are in the background.

Tomato Habanero Salsa 🌶️ is a smoky, spicy Mexican salsa made with charred tomatoes, habanero peppers, onion, and garlic.

This salsa has a definite kick from the habaneros, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding more tomatoes or using fewer peppers.

Serve it with tortilla chips or spoon it over tacos, grilled meats, or seafood. Try it with Milanesa de Res or Mulitas for an extra layer of smoky, spicy flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

Big smoky flavor. Charring the tomatoes, habaneros, garlic, and onion gives this salsa a delicious roasted flavor.
Spicy but flavorful. Habaneros bring plenty of heat along with a slightly fruity flavor that makes this salsa stand out.
Easy to customize. Use fewer habaneros for less heat or add more for a fiery salsa.
Quick and easy. Once the vegetables are roasted, the ingredients go straight into the blender.
Perfect for so many dishes. Serve it with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled meats, seafood, eggs, or your favorite Mexican dishes.

-Maggie

🌶️ Ingredients

Habaneros
Tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Salt
Apple Cider Vinegar

Habanero peppers are known for their intense heat, but they also have a slightly fruity flavor that makes them especially good for salsa. You can learn more about their heat level and how they compare to other peppers on the Scoville Scale.

The ingredients for tomato habanero salsa roasting on a griddle.

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions

Heat a griddle over medium-high heat.
Add the habaneros and roast until the skin is charred.
Add the tomatoes, garlic, and onion. Roast, turning occasionally, until charred on the outside and the tomatoes have softened.
Remove everything from the griddle and let cool slightly before blending.

Other Cooking Methods

In the Oven: Place the habaneros, tomatoes, onion, and garlic on a cookie sheet. Coat everything with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Roast for 7 minutes under the broiler. Turn the ingredients and roast for an additional 5 minutes.

Stovetop: In a medium-sized stock pot, add the habaneros, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Cover with 6 cups of water. Boil for 5 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft. Discard the water.

Habanero peppers on a cutting board with the seeds removed.

🔥 How to Adjust the Heat

To reduce the heat, remove the seeds and some of the inner membrane from the habaneros.

For a mild Tomato Habanero Salsa, use 1 habanero chile without the seeds. OR, use an additional tomato.
For a HOT, FIERY salsa, add 3-4 habaneros and don’t remove the seeds.

Please note: This salsa is definitely spicy. It has plenty of habanero heat, but it’s not so hot that you can’t enjoy it. If you prefer a milder salsa, follow the instructions above to adjust the heat.

A collage showing the salsa ingredients in a blender.

Place all the ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth.

For a chunkier salsa, pulse in a food processor instead of using a blender.

OR, try using a molcajete, a Mexican mortar and pestle. This will produce chunky, thick salsas like Tomato Molcajete Salsa and Molcajete Salsa Verde.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tomato Habanero Salsa very spicy?

Yes. Habaneros are very hot peppers, so this salsa has a noticeable kick. For a milder salsa, use just 1 habanero and remove the seeds and some of the inner membrane. You can also add an extra tomato to mellow the heat. For a fiery salsa, use 3 to 4 habaneros and leave the seeds in.

Can I make this salsa without a blender?

Yes. A food processor works well, especially if you prefer a slightly chunkier salsa. You can also use a molcajete for a more traditional chunky texture.

How long does Tomato Habanero Salsa last?

Store the salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container or sealable bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 6 months.

Hand holding a chip with salsa over the salsa bowl.

🍴 More Mexican Salsa Recipes

If you love a salsa with serious flavor and a little heat, this Tomato Habanero Salsa is one to try. The charred tomatoes and vegetables give it a delicious smoky flavor, while the habaneros add that fruity, fiery kick.

Make it mild or turn up the heat to suit your taste. Either way, grab a bag of tortilla chips and get ready to watch this homemade salsa disappear!

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