This easy homemade salsa roja recipe is the ultimate Mexican salsa, perfect for tortillas, tacos and burritos, with tomatoes, jalapeno, lime juice and more. Serve as a salsa or sauce!
Authentic Mexican Salsa Roja (Red Salsa)
I've talked about guacamole recipes in Mexican restaurants, how there is a basic form of the recipe, yet every Mexican place does it their own way.
The same is true, if not MORE so, for Salsa Roja, or Mexican Red Table Sauce. If you've been to a Mexican restaurant, you've seen it.
It's the red stuff that typically comes in bowls with tortilla chips, or in a large squeeze bottle for your tacos, the bottle slightly condensed with moisture because it has just been removed from the refrigerator in the back, most likely freshly made that very morning.
It is similar in consistency to a thin salsa, with a bit more processing to give it that sauce like quality that is so perfect for pouring over your burritos, drenching your tacos, dripping over chorizo con huevos, huevos rancheros, Mexican migas, basically any Mexican cuisine served at your favorite local Mexican restaurant.
This is Mexican salsa roja at its finest. Salsa Roja is one of my favorites.
Salsa Roja for Tacos and More
As mentioned, Salsa Roja varies from restaurant to restaurant.
Some of it comes down to an additional ingredient here and there, but mostly it is down to proportions.
Some prefer more lime, some more peppers, some more tomato. It depends on the chef cooking that day.
I haven't found a Salsa Roja I didn't like. It's hard to go wrong with super fresh ingredients that love to party with one another.
Here is our version that is simple yet highly flavorful.
Let me show you how to make salsa roja.
Salsa Roja Ingredients
- Tomatoes. Use 2 pounds tomatoes, chopped. Any tomatoes will do.
- Chili Peppers. Use 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped – or, use serrano peppers for a bit more heat! It's also GREAT with arbol chiles.
- Onion and Garlic. Use 1 small white onion, and 2 cloves garlic, chopped.
- Cilantro. Use ¼ cup chopped cilantro, though you can use more to taste.
- Lime Juice. Juice from half a lime though you can use more if you'd like.
- Oil. 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Seasonings. Use ¼ teaspoon cumin (if desired, not traditional, more Tex-Mex) and Salt to taste.
How to Make Salsa Roja - the Recipe steps
Process the Ingredients. First, add the tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic cloves, cilantro and lime juice to a food processor, then blend until smooth. You can process a little or a lot, to your preference.
Into the Pot with Seasonings. Next, heat a large pot to medium high heat and add olive oil. Add the salsa and it will sear quickly. Add cumin and bit of salt.
Boil and Simmer. Bring the whole thing to a quick boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat.
Season with salt if needed and stir.
That's it! Cool and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve it up in a squeeze bottle like they do in Mexican restaurants for fun!
Serving Salsa Roja
Serve your Mexican salsa roja with any Mexican dish, including tacos, burritos, tortas, enchiladas, and more.
You can also serve it up as a salsa with some salted tortilla chips. The flavor is the same and honestly, it works as a simple salsa serving.
Get cooking, friends! For your next Taco Tuesday, serve up some Salsa Roja and slather it on! Homemade salsa is the best.
Perfect on Carne Asada Tacos!
Recipe Tips & Notes
Let the Flavors Mingle. You can enjoy the salsa roja right away, but it's best to let it sit for at least 1 hour to let the fresh flavors develop and mingle with one another.
Such a perfect, simple recipe. Great with any Mexican food.
Serve in Squeeze Bottles. I like to serve them up in the same plastic squeeze bottles you find in the Mexican restaurants.
Here is a link to the ones I use (NOTE: It's an Amazon Affiliate Link, my friends!) - SET OF 2 -- 24 Oz. Condiment Squeeze Bottles. It makes it feel that much more authentic.
Storage Information
This salsa roja recipe will last at least a week in the refrigerator, or up to 2 weeks. If you'd like it to last longer, you can up the acidity with more lime juice or add some vinegar. It also freezes nicely.
Check Out Some My Other Popular Salsa Recipes
- Try this authentic Avocado Salsa Verde Recipe that goes with all of your Mexican dishes, or my Restaurant Style Salsa that everyone loves.
- Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce
- Salsa Ranchera
- Chile de Arbol Salsa
- Salsa Criolla – Argentinian Salsa
- Habanero Salsa
- Xni-Pec – Chunky Habanero Salsa
- Homemade Picante Sauce
- Fresh Ghost Pepper Salsa
- Pipian Rojo (Mexican Red Pipian Sauce)
- This Mexican White Sauce Recipe (Salsa Blanca) is a tasty variation from Virginia that you will love.
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Salsa Roja Recipe - Mexican Red Table Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 pounds tomatoes chopped
- 1 small white onion chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers chopped – use Serrano peppers for a bit more heat!
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Juice from half a lime
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon cumin (optional, not traditional, more Tex-Mex)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic, cilantro and lime juice to a food processor. Process until fairly smooth.
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add olive oil. Add the salsa and it will sear quickly.
- Add cumin and bit of salt.
- Bring to a quick boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Season with salt if needed and stir.
- Cool and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Serve it up in a squeeze bottle like they do in Mexican restaurants for fun!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Cynde Guthrie says
Do I need to peel the skin off the tomatoes before the food processor?
Mike Hultquist says
You can if you'd like, Cynde. There are good nutrients in the skins, but some people don't like them floating around. That is not much of an issue, though, with a good food processor.
Edward Johansen says
Delish! I made it per the above directions, (used one serrano and one jalapeño). We had it with some chips last night and on our eggs this morning. Thanks, love your website.
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent!! Thanks, Edward!
Nick says
Made this taste was great but the salsa is green? Please advise.
Mike Hultquist says
Nick, did you use the proper amount of tomatoes? It's possible you cooked it longer than needed or at higher heat and it turned more brown in color. Or did you use more green jalapenos?
Robert says
You just added more cilantro than the recipe called for. That's ok! I love cilantro too!!
I just made this with whole fresh roma tomatoes (3) and a 15 oz can of stewed tomatoes, and added a little oregano (the local restaurants we go to use it too), and the juice of 2 whole limes. This salsa is fantastic!
m00se
Chris H. says
Needed a quick, spicy tomato sauce to have on hand for a burrito dinner last night and this recipe was just perfect! As I didn't have any tomatoes on hand, I just used a 15-oz can of tomato sauce and it worked out just fine. I will most definitely use this recipe again (and again and again).
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Chris! Thanks!
Kenneth Quandt says
I just came across your recipe, so I haven't had the opportunity to make it. However, I have read a lot of the comments from people saying that this is the type of salsa they have been looking for, so I'm pretty confident that I have found the winner. I'm looking forward to making this.
Mike Hultquist says
Enjoy, Kenneth! I hope you like it!
Diana M says
i didn't have cilantro or lime, but it was still super delicious I made it with chilaquiles. thank you so much for your recipe I will be trying it with all the ingredients next time
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Diana!
Sierra Sweet says
I plan on making this in the next day or so. I like a bit more heat than jalapeno. I bought a couple Serrano peppers. Is there any way to slowly add it until the proper heat is achieved (before cooking), or will it be over blended? Also, what is considered a small white onion? I got the smallest possible, but it's still pretty large. How much chopped onion would it be, cup wise? Thanks! I'm really looking forward to making and, best of all, eating this salsa!
Mike Hultquist says
Sierra, I would add just 1 serrano when making it, then taste and see how hot it is. You can always process the whole thing again with another then simmer again. For the onion, use anywhere from 1-1.5 cups and you should be good to go. Let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy!
Sierra Sweet says
Hey, Mike! made the salsa. You're right, it really needs that resting time in the fridge! I misjudged the tomatoes (no scale at store, kitchen scale not working). I added 2 Serrano and 1 jalapeno at the beginning, and really need more spice for my palate. Great start! I just need to add more of everything to make up for too much tomatoes! Thanks so much. Mexican flavors are difficult for me to master, but I'm getting there!
Mike H. says
You will get there, Sierra, I have no doubt about that. Keep it up and thanks a lot for leaving your feedback. Enjoy the process!
Bruce says
Great recipe and oh so flavoursome!
I'm looking to use your recipe as a Pizza Sauce base for a Mexican Spicy pizza. So, it needs to be thicker almost a paste. Should I do this by simmering longer to reduce it (concerned this may risk burning it), or should I be adding a thickener? If the latter, what do you recommend?
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Bruce. Yes, you can simmer to thicken/reduce, or swirl in either tomato paste, chili paste, or a puree of dried chilies to thicken as well. Or, try my Homemade Enchilada Sauce as a pizza sauce: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/homemade-red-enchilada-sauce/
Raye Ann says
I added all the ingredients plus habanero’s. Can I still simmer it with the cumin?
Mike Hultquist says
You sure can. Enjoy!
Linda says
I live in the Colombian Andes at 7000 ft, usually pretty cool, no hotter than 75 daytime if we're lucky and low 50s at night. I bought some Brown Bhutlah and Trinidad Scorpion seeds in the u.s about 3 yrs ago, planted a few last year and reaped my harvest 9+ months later. In this recipe I added 1 itty bitty chunk of dried about the size of 1/2 a pinkie's nail worth of each to 4 cups of tomato to the blender...no serranos or jalapeños. wow wow wow. Do these ever throw a punch in minute amounts! Turned out delicious and so easy to slap together!
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome, Linda! Sounds like a super interesting place to live! I'd love to hear about it. But YES, bhutlahs and scorpions definitely pack some heat!
Peter Solomon says
Making this fine sauce for the second time. Printing fresh copy
Thanks Mike!
Mike H. says
Awesome, Peter. Enjoy it!
Robert says
Can you safely can this recipe using a water bath? Would like to make a bunch and save.
Mike Hultquist says
Robert, you can preserve salsa in a water bath, but check the pH on this one. Shoot for a pH of 3.5 or lower for home preserving. Also, I would skip the oil.
Teri says
We’ve made this probably ten times and it always turns out spectacular! Terrific recipe with endless add-in possibilities depending on how hot/flavorful you desire.
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent! Thanks, Teri!
Mary Jane says
I can't wait to try this recipe! For health reasons, I am not able to have any oil. Can the ingredients be cooked by themselves to meld the flavors without the oil? thanks!
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely, Mary Jane. You can really process then simmer in the pot without the oil. Enjoy!