Quick Homemade Salsa (2024)

Home » Recipes » Canning

By: Jane · Updated: 26 Jul, '12 · This post may contain affiliate links · 26 Comments

So for the past two months, I have been canning tomatoes and homemade spaghetti sauce. But right now, lets talk about MY quick homemade salsa recipe!

Maybe you guys don't know that Leo and I have over 80 tomato plants in our garden. And thanks to hisirrigation system, they are still producing tomatoes despite the extreme heat and dry weather that we are having.

But in my search for additional ways to preserve these tomatoes, I've discovered something that's really good!

It's this packaged mix for making homemade salsa!

Look, I have tomato salsa for days! This sauce tastes amazing on nachos, chips, and tortillas.

I've used it to make 2 batches of homemade salsa, which is awesome tasting.

But what I've discovered, quite by accident, is that the left-over tomato juice from making the salsa is so delicious to eat as a soup. It is wonderful hot or cold, and tastes a lot like gazpacho without all the chopping of the vegetables.

When you look at the ingredients in the package mix, you will see dehydrated vegetables, which speeds up the salsa or gazpacho making process.

You can see them here in the salsa. ( I don't like to chop jalapeno peppers because I always get some in my eyes!)

Buy Mrs. Wages Create Your Own Salsa Mix

The great thing about this packaged mix is that you don't have to can your salsa. You can eat it fresh, and you can even use canned tomatoes if you don't have access to fresh ones.

If you have a bumper crop of fresh garden tomatoes, another fantastic option is this freezer tomatillo and tomato salsa recipe with a nice smoky flavor.

If you want to try making this quick salsa, be sure to buy the mix in the red package. I've tried some others recently (when I couldn't find the red package) and they are not quite as good.

The bonus is that the soup that we've been making with this mix is very low-calorie, and Leo and I have lost a few pounds lately. You can even add some boiled shrimp, choppedavocado,and chopped onion and turn the soup into a Mexican Shrimp co*cktail, which we've done, by the way!

I'm on my way to the grocery store to buy more of this mix because Leo picked 2 more buckets of tomatoes this morning!

More Canning

11 Amish Canning Recipes That Will Impress Your Guests
Tasty Tomato Soup Recipe to Make Anytime
37 Green Tomato Canning Recipes That Are Simply Delicious
11 Pear Canning Recipes That Will Add Some Sweetness

Reader Interactions

Comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

rose
July 30, 2012 at 5:15 pm

i love the salsa that you made
Reply
Keeping it Cozy
July 28, 2012 at 2:33 pm

I am so impressed! I can barely keep up with my 5 tomato plants! I was just looking at that salsa the other day and wondering about it... now I'll have to give it a try! I've been canning diced tomatoes but would like to can some salsa too!
See Also
Tips for Specialty Diet Shopping at Walmart - Its a Hero The Very Best Grocery Products for 2023, Chosen by You 30 Good Old Recipes from Grandma's Kitchen Saving Is Easy When You Shop At BJ's Wholesale Club
Reply
Diane
July 28, 2012 at 8:34 am

I've never seen this product before but it sounds like a great kitchen helper! Do you ever can the salsa? And if so, what process would you use?
Reply
Mary
July 28, 2012 at 5:27 am

Jane~Thanks so much for the tip! We only have five tomato plants but a girl can only eat so many BLT's 🙂 Love the idea of adding the package for fresh salsa!
Reply
Shirley@Housepitality Designs
July 26, 2012 at 11:49 pm

Jane...you and Leo are so fortunate to be able to create a pantry full of great vegetables....great idea to make salsa from your tomatoes!!!....So pass me the chips!!!
Reply
Kelly
July 26, 2012 at 5:59 pm

Thanks Jane for sharing this recipe. I just love salsa but prefer homemade. I eat it quite often since it is low-cal. Have a great week.
Reply
Melanie
July 26, 2012 at 11:54 am

Just made this and it is delicious! We do have a small garden but I decided not to use up all the fresh tomatoes and instead used half fresh and half canned tomatoes (3 cans). I am planning to keep some in the fridge, give some to a friend, and I am going to sort of follow your advice and add shrimp to make shrimp creole and serve that over rice. I found this at Kroger. I bought one medium and one hot but I think the medium is spicy enough.
Reply
- jane
  July 26, 2012 at 3:07 pm
  
  So glad that you like it Melanie, and I'm sure your friend will too.
  Reply
Kris
July 26, 2012 at 11:41 am

If this is low in sodium I will try it. I love salsa with chips or as a side dish with dinner. Yum!
Reply
- jane
  July 26, 2012 at 3:05 pm
  
  Salt is listed as one of the ingredients, Kris. Sometimes the sodium bothers me too, especially in this heat. But it must not have too much. Perhaps that information can be found online.
  See Also
  35 Whole Foods Products That Save Our Tails During the Holidays
  Reply
Bj
July 26, 2012 at 11:37 am

Simply ... yum!
Hugs,
Bj
Reply
- jane
  July 26, 2012 at 3:03 pm
  
  We couldn't believe how good it was, BJ! We've been eating it for about a week now.
  Reply
Barbara F.
July 26, 2012 at 11:07 am

I have never made homemade salsa, I will have to try it. xo
Reply
- jane
  July 26, 2012 at 3:02 pm
  
  It's worth the extra effort, Barbara.
  Reply
Dolly Sarrio
July 26, 2012 at 9:32 am

Jane, I can't wait to try this I have seen it at Tractor Supply before. Red package have to keep that in mind. I so enjoy your recipes and gardening tips...and Folks I have seen their yard and gardens they are a showplace!
Reply
- jane
  July 26, 2012 at 3:01 pm
  
  Dolly, you are so sweet and too kind!
  Reply
Pat@BPM
July 25, 2012 at 5:42 pm

I have been having fresh salsa from HyVee all week. Was just simply craving it! Your salsa looks fabulous, Jane.
Reply
- jane
  July 25, 2012 at 6:11 pm
  
  Thanks so much Pat! I would never try making it strictly homemade now that I've found this mix.
  Reply
Melanie
July 25, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Jane, I'd love to try it. In which stores can it be found, and in which section of the store?
Reply
- jane
  July 25, 2012 at 6:10 pm
  
  Look in the section of the store where canning jars are sold. The packages are usually beside them. I found the salsa mix at Piggly Wiggly.
  Reply
Melanie
July 25, 2012 at 5:37 pm

Yes, that is good salsa! Yours is so pretty too! have you tried the ketchup or the pizza sauce in that line? both are very good, in fact you will be ruined when you taste it, the store bought stuff will never taste as good!
Reply
- jane
  July 25, 2012 at 6:09 pm
  
  Melanie, I have only tried some of the pickle making packages by Mrs. Wages and I just discovered the many other products when I went to their site online. The stores around here don't carry many of the products.
  Reply
Olive Cooper
July 25, 2012 at 4:42 pm

I have had salsa made with this package and it is good. You are indeed blessed with tomatoes.
Reply
- jane
  July 25, 2012 at 6:07 pm
  
  Olive, I'm sure that I will think that this winter, but right now, I'm wondering why we planted so many!
  Reply
  - katy
    July 26, 2012 at 11:32 am
    
    I just wonder if you have ever thought of getting some help and canning some of your largess for a food pantry or for folks in need. All those fresh vegetables would make a great nourishing soup base.
    Reply
    - jane
      July 26, 2012 at 3:00 pm
      
      Katy, we give a lot of tomatoes away to friends, family, and local folks, but you have made an excellent suggestion.
      Reply

FAQs

What can I add to my salsa to make it taste better? ›

What can I add to salsa for more flavor?

Lime or lemon for a zip of citrus.
Cilantro for a pleasantly herbaceous tang.
Onions because you know everything's better with onions.
Roasted tomatoes, peppers, or garlic because roasting anything provides a smoky flavor that we love.

More items...

Jun 10, 2022

Discover More Details ›

How to add depth of flavor to salsa? ›

Cook the salsa, and you'll trade bright, fresh flavors for something deeper, sweeter. Roasting the tomatoes, garlic and/or chiles creates rich, smoky flavors. 3. Layer in flavor, color, and texture with bell peppers, jicama, radishes, fresh corn kernels, avocado, or black beans.

What is homemade salsa made of? ›

Salsa, in Spanish, simply means "sauce" and can take a variety of forms. Pico de gallo (a.k.a. salsa fresca) is a type of salsa made with chopped fresh tomatoes and onions, cilantro, fresh chiles, lime juice, and salt.

Read On ›

How long does salsa need to be in water bath for canning? ›

Once the chile peppers and tomatoes have been cooked and prepped, all of the salsa ingredients go into a large pot and simmered for 10 minutes. Ladle the salsa into your sterilized canning jars, seal, and place in a water bath for 15 minutes.

Why does Mexican restaurant salsa taste so good? ›

Unlike jarred or canned salsa, restaurant salsa is essentially small-batch, freshly made salsa. These establishments have access to high-quality ingredients and equipment to streamline the salsa-making process and ensure a consistent product.

See Details ›

Why is my homemade salsa bland? ›

Forgetting to use salt

Salt is undoubtedly an under-appreciated element in the perfect homemade salsa recipe. It can help round out the flavors in raw salsas and highlight the acidic or spicy components you use in your recipe.

Explore More ›

How to jazz up salsa? ›

At the very least, a little fresh lime juice and some minced cilantro can wake up even the sleepiest of salsas, ushering back in the flavor of just-squeezed citrus and herbs that taste like they came from a living plant. Beyond that, a crunchy raw vegetable or two never hurts.

Find Out More ›

Why add cumin to salsa? ›

Cilantro – It adds fresh flavor and pretty flecks of green. Cumin – Its earthy flavor adds complexity to the zesty sauce. Sugar – Just a pinch! It really brings this recipe together, taming the sharp, acidic flavors of the other ingredients.

Get More Info ›

How can I thicken my homemade salsa? ›

Add thickeners like cornstarch or arrowroot to your salsa as a last resort. To do this, mix one tablespoon of thickener per cup of salsa with an equal amount of water. Then bring your salsa to a simmer over low to medium heat and slowly incorporate the slurry until the salsa has thickened.

What is authentic Mexican salsa made of? ›

Take the stems off the peppers and throw away the stems. Place the peppers and seeds in the bender. Blend well. Next toss in the stewed tomatoes with juice, 1 jalepeno (sliced), 1/2 yellow onion (quarterd), 1 garlic clove, handful of cilantro, lemon juice, salt and pepper and blend til you have the consistancy desired.

Know More ›

Why is homemade salsa better than store-bought? ›

The taste:

The homemade salsa had far less liquid than the shop-bought version, so the texture had more bite and body. The chipotle gave it a great smoky spice, which you could adapt according to taste.

Learn More Now ›

Can I can salsa without cooking it? ›

Yes, salsa can be canned before cooking it. But for that, you need to ensure that it has enough acid to lower the pH. Also, the raw or fresh salsa will be cooked anyway during the heat processing or water bath. Canning it without cooking will preserve the texture of fresh salsa if you prefer it.

Do you peel tomatoes for salsa? ›

Deciding on keeping tomato skins on or off is really a matter of taste — and how much time you've got on your hands. You don't need to peel them. After all, tomato skins are edible. However, if you're making a chunky salsa, leaving skins on is fine – as long as the texture doesn't bother you.

Why didn't my salsa jars seal? ›

If a jar does not seal and you did not follow safe processing methods, such as incorrect processing time, initial temperature (hot pack versus raw pack, initial temperature of the water in canner) was not observed, or the incorrect processing method was used, food can be re-canned within 2-hours.

How do you make salsa not bland? ›

If your salsa is too bland, raw or sautéed white or yellow onions, onion powder, or a pinch of cumin could help fix the problem. Cilantro is always a great way to add more of a savory-spicy taste to your salsa. Fresh is best, of course, but the dried stuff will work, too.

View Details ›

How to spice up salsa? ›

9 Ways to Make Mild Salsa Spicier

1 – Add Your Preferred Brand of Hot Sauce. ...
2 – Chop or Dice Jalapenos and Add to Your Mild Salsa. ...
3 – Add Diced Raw Onions (or Even Onion Powder) ...
4 – Add Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. ...
5 – Mix Chopped Raw Chili Peppers into Mild Salsa. ...
6 – Sprinkle in Cayenne Pepper.

More items...

Sep 30, 2022

Tell Me More ›

What to add if salsa is bitter? ›

If it gets bitter, once salsa is done add a pinch of baking soda and that takes care of the acidity. omg thank you!! You can also add a little bit of sugar to your salsa if they do burst.

Show Me More ›

Quick Homemade Salsa (2024)

More Canning

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

What can I add to my salsa to make it taste better? ›

What is authentic Mexican salsa made of? ›