If you want to make fresh salsa better than your favorite Mexican restaurant, look no further than this homemade Salsa Fresca Recipe. We've cracked the code on Chuy's salsa fresca recipe and guess what? It's officially better at home now.
Being from a booming Tex-Mex region, both my husband and I grew up eating Mexican food on a regular basis, making us absolutely horrid salsa and queso snobs.
With years of Tex-Mex culinary prowess under our belts, we've cracked the code on what it takes to make a killer salsa at home. It's all about balancing savory, fresh, and tangy flavors. Our friends and family cannot get enough of this salsa fresca thanks to a simple mix of fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, lime juice, and cilantro...and, using just the right amount of each. We have mastered Tex-Mex recipes, check them out!
Why This Recipe Works
For this salsa fresca dip, it doesn't take much to please the crowd, especially when served alongside a basket of tortilla chips. You just need the right quantities and quality of ingredients. The result is two words: addictively delicious. Are you a dip fanatic? Check our our dip recipes!
There are way too many salsa recipes out there calling for Roma tomatoes. Out-of-season Roma tomatoes are particularly mealy in texture and dull in flavor. Because tomatoes are the star of this salsa show, you need them to be in good shape.
If Romas aren't in season, we recommend grabbing vine-ripened, cherry, grape tomatoes. These give better flavor and texture overall.
Rice wine vinegar or red wine vinegar is commonly found in salsa fresca, and I do believe it is Chuy's secret weapon. This one ingredient should not be overlooked, because the flavor bomb it brings to this dip is next-level good.
How To Make Salsa Fresca
This salsa fresca recipe (similar to pico de gallo) is easy to make and easy to perfect. If you have a blender or food processor on hand, the vegetables only need to be roughly chopped before going in for a spin.
Add Ingredients to Blender or Food Processor | Add the tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos or serranos (seeds removed if you don't like it hot), cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and rice wine vinegar to a blender.
Blend | Pulse until a chunky puree has formed. Transfer to a bowl and serve right away, or to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.
Serve with a giant bowl of tortilla chips, as a dressing for taco salad, or layered on top of homemade tacos!
4 More Mexican Dips to Try
Salsa Fresca | Chuy's Salsa Fresca Copycat
Ingredients
- 1 pound tomatoes seeded and roughly chopped
- ½ red onion chopped
- 4 jalapenos seeded (if desired) and chopped
- ⅓ cup cilantro roughly chopped
- juice of 1 ½ limes
- 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon rice wine vinegar optional
Instructions
- Add the tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, salt, cumin, garlic powder and rice wine vinegar (if using) to the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pulse until a chunky puree has formed. Transfer to a bowl and serve right away, or to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.
- Makes about 1-½ cups.
Nutrition
Danielle says
We make a big batch of salsa like this every week. There is just so much that you can do with it!
Jennifer | Savorwithjennifer says
Can’t wait to try this one! Rice wine vinegar would be such a great add-in. Looks crazy fresh. Thanks for the share!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Jennifer!!!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
Homemade salsa is always so tasty and lovely and fresh. So easy to make and perfect for dipping or a side dish.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Helen!
Sues says
I've never been to Chuy's, but this salsa looks so vibrant and delicious that I'm pretty sure I'd love it. This is the kind of salsa that you have once and then can never go back to the jarred stuff!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I love copycat recipes and this salsa sounds and looks identical to the original. Going to give a go tonight. Thanks for posting
Sheri says
Great recipe and fun to make. This is a big hit with the family.
Marcas McAllister says
This isnt a great copy because chuys uses serrano peppers. They have more of a floral taste. Use that instead and itll taste more like chuys