Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa recipe is the best! Get those tortilla chips ready because this easy homemade salsa made with canned tomatoes can be made in about 5 minutes.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. We receive a small commission if purchases are made through our links to retailers.Click here to read our full disclosure policy.

I swear that my family can go through a gallon of salsa in a month. We usually have one or two jarred varieties in our refrigerator at any given time, but homemade salsa is a must in our house when we have Mexican food, or when we have get-togethers or parties. Two of our four kids will literally beg me to make homemade salsa and I swear they are as excited about my salsa as they are about cake for dessert (ok, maybe that’s stretching it).

David devours this salsa too and we both gave it the name “restaurant-style” because it’s a similar consistency to many of our favorite Mexican restaurants. While this recipe is with chipotle peppers, I often make this same recipe, but substitute the chipotle peppers with a 1/2 or whole fresh jalapeno that has had the stem removed.

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (1)

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe Ingredients

To make this homemade salsa recipe, you will only need a few ingredients: one big can of whole tomatoes, 1 small onion, 1 clove garlic (or 1/2 minced garlic), cilantro, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and salt and pepper.

For the tomatoes, you can use any brand you prefer. I usually buy whatever is cheapest at my grocery store. If your store has fire-roasted whole peeled tomatoes, they are a great choice.

TIP: If you prefer not to use chipotle peppers, you can also make this same exact recipe with a fresh jalapeno or two.

Cooking Equipment Needed for Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa:

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe Instructions

The good thing about this chipotle salsa is that it is SO easy and you can literally blend up a batch in about 5 minutes or less. If you don’t like chopping vegetables or messing with fresh jalapenos, you’ll like this one too as there is almost no chopping needed.

One item you will need is a food processor. If you don’t have one, you could use a blender instead. You’ll start your Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa by adding the can of drained whole peeled tomatoes into the bowl.

Then you’ll add all the other ingredients. When it comes to adding the chipotle peppers, scoop out a good size one and throw it in there. I usually use two of them, but if you are serving this to anyone who may be sensitive to a spicier salsa, I would recommend using just one chipotle pepper at the beginning. After everything is blended up, you can taste the salsa and add another pepper or two, if desired.

With all of the homemade salsa ingredients in your food processor, you are ready to blend it up. I usually hit the pulse button a bunch of times until the chipotle salsa everything is chopped up and combined.

Once you are done blending up your salsa, give it a taste. At this point, you’ll want to adjust your seasonings, if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or even another chipotle pepper if you want it spicier.

This restaurant-style salsa is best if you refrigerate it for at least an hour or more before serving. I can’t say that we always do that though…most of the time it’s enjoyed right away!

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (5)

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe

Here’s the full recipe, ready for you to print. If you aren’t ready to make it yet, be sure to save it to one of your boards on Pinterest.

Print

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (6)

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.9 from 12 reviews

  • Author: Brandie Valenzuela
  • Yield: Approximately 20 ounces of salsa 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsarecipe couldn’t be easier! Get those tortilla chips ready because you’ll be dipping& scooping in no time!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes (drained)
  • 1 small onion (roughly chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 cup cilantro (mostly leaves, discard thick stems, but thin stems are ok)
  • 12 chipotle peppers (from can)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients into food processor or blender and blend until desired consistency. Taste salsa and, if necessary, adjust seasonings or ingredients. Serve as a condiment or as a dip with tortilla chips.

Notes

–I often make this same recipe, but without chipotle peppers. Simply substitute the chipotle peppers with a fresh jalapeno that has been cut in half with the stem removed. If you like you salsa less spicy, you may want to remove part of the seeds and membrane.

  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Recipe Card powered byRestaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (7)

Originally Published January 22, 2014. Revised and Republished April 20, 2019.

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (8)

Visit all the other Appetizer Week Blogs for more Snack Time Deliciousness:

Restaurant-Style Chipotle Salsa Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is restaurant salsa better? ›

While some restaurant-style salsas may be prepared in large batches to meet demand, the emphasis on using fresh, high-quality ingredients remains a constant, no matter the quantity. A unique blend of fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice contributes to the vibrant, lively taste of restaurant-style salsa.

What is Chipotle salsa made of? ›

This chipotle salsa requires only seven basic ingredients, and the end result tastes so fresh. You'll need canned tomatoes, onion and garlic, fresh cilantro, jalapeño and chipotle peppers, and fresh lime. This chipotle salsa is easy to make and comes together in about 10 minutes.

Why is Chipotle's red salsa so spicy? ›

For the salsa in question, Chipotle uses chiles de árbol, which range from from 15,000 to 30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For context, jalapeños measure at around 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, while ghost peppers clock in at 800,000 to 1,000,000 — or even hotter.

Is smoky Chipotle salsa spicy? ›

We hickory smoke peppers and add in tomatoes, jalapenos, herbs, and spices for a slightly sweet, smoky taste with the perfect touch of heat. Pull up a seat to our hypothetical Pepper Palace family table when you purchase a jar and experience the warm feelings this smoky salsa with a medium heat will evoke.

What is the difference between salsa and restaurant-style salsa? ›

Restaurant-style typically has a more smooth texture. The ingredients are finely minced and the salsa has a thinner consistency.

What is restaurant salsa called? ›

Salsa Roja

This is a general term that covers any type of blended red salsa made with tomatoes. Salsa roja can be made from raw ingredients, cooked ingredients, or a combination of both. It can be pureed until it's completely smooth or blended slightly for a chunky consistency.

What cheese does Chipotle use? ›

The shredded white cheese that Chipotle uses is commonly known as Monterey Jack. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is used to make quesadillas and queso dip, and it's happily added to any menu item when asked.

Which Chipotle salsa is the most spicy? ›

Chipotle uses the chile d árbol for its Tomatillo Red Chile Salsa, which ranges from 15,000 to 30,000 Scoville units.

What are the different levels of salsa at Chipotle? ›

Chipotle has four types of salsa: mild, fresh tomato; medium, roasted chili and corn; medium, tomatillo-green chili; and hot, tomatillo-red chili.

What are the ingredients in Cholula Smoky Chipotle salsa? ›

Ingredients. Tomatillo, Tomato, Chipotle Pepper, Onion, Salt, Sugar & Spice.

What's in cholula sauce? ›

Ingredients. Water, Peppers (Arbol and Piquin), Salt, Vinegar, Garlic Powder, Spices and Xanthan Gum.

How long is Chipotle salsa good for? ›

How long is chipotle salsa good for? We usually keep ours in the fridge for up to a week. After that, it tends to lose it's flavor.

Why does store-bought salsa taste different? ›

One of the problems with store-bought salsas—especially ones that are made in the style of fresh salsas, like salsa verde and pico de gallo—is that the high-heat canning process kills those fresh flavors. Whatever vitality they had before they went into the jar doesn't come out so great on the other side.

Why are restaurant sauces so good? ›

Restaurant chefs know how to balance flavors

The key to a good sauce is allowing these flavors to coexist in harmony, "A good sauce should be balanced, no matter what kind of sauce it is," says Allison Zinder.

Is restaurant salsa healthy? ›

Sometimes restaurant salsa can be healthier than the packaged salsas at the store. As long as the salsa is made fresh at the restaurant, it's not too different than making your own at home. As always, be mindful of how many chips you are eating!

Is homemade salsa better than store-bought? ›

Both dips are loaded with vegetables, but the store-bought version is much higher in sodium than homemade. It took me 45 minutes to make salsa from scratch. Homemade should be consumed the same day that it's made, or it will become soggy.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5304

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.