Making Traditional Red Salsa: Salsa Roja (the easy way)
Authentic Mexican salsa roja is bursting with fresh flavors. This salsa recipe is refreshing, slightly sweet and spicy, garlicky, earthy, herbaceous and adds a hydrating element to whatever you pair it with. I have tried numerous iterations of this particular salsa and I find the following recipe the MOST delicious, simple and easy to make. Continue on to learn the essential ingredients and notes to go about making this rewarding and easy Salsa Roja recipe.
My favorite ways to eat this salsa are on tacos or with tortilla chips. When it comes to a ‘chips and salsa craving’ there is absolutely nothing better than salsa roja para chips. It is the type of salsa you could eat endlessly – I am talking bottomless salsa bowl. Making salsa roja receta para tacos, is my favorite addition to my beloved Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe – which I just posted last week. I think that this salsa roja goes particularly well with chicken. I spooned this salsa on the inside of those babies and it was to die for. If you make this salsa recipe, please do check out that recipe out too!
The fresh produce and simple ingredients used in this recipe are- tomatoes, garlic, white onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, sugar and sea salt. It perfectly balances sweet, spicy, salty and refreshing tasting. Typically I make a medium spiced version over a hot roja salsa version. The level of heat can be changed to whatever you are desiring for the particular dish you are making this for. If you favor a more mild salsa, it’s easy to tone down the spice level by omitting or using less jalapeño. If I don’t make a spicy roja sauce, I usually add fresh minced habanero peppers or sliced raw jalapeños on the tacos or enchiladas.
One of the great things about this homemade salsa roja, is how it can complement a large variety of dishes. This is also a great salsa roja for enchiladas, in this case the salsa tomato y jalapeño would be poured over the enchiladas and they are baked in this robust sauce.
This recipe is the most simple and best salsa roja that I have found, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do in our house!
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- White onion
- Jalapeno
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Sugar
- Sea salt
Quantities and Ingredient notes:
- 4-5 large ripe tomatoes (brighter/deeper the color the better )
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 medium white onion
- 1 medium jalapeño
- 1/4 bunch of cilantro
- 1 lime
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar- I used organic sugar for this recipe you can also use 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- Sea salt to taste – start with 1/2 tsp
Instructions:
- Wash the tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro.
- Deseed the Jalapeño – making sure to wear gloves – by slicing in down the center, removing the stem and seeds.
- Put the following raw vegetables in a high speed blender and blend until smooth: tomatoes, cloves of garlic, onion, jalapeño.
- Remove the majority of the stems on the cilantro, add them to blended liquid and pulse until cilantro is chopped into fine pieces.
- Pour the blended liquid into a sauce pan and place on medium high heat on the stove.
- Allow salsa to read a mild boil and continue to cook for approximately 10 minutes. You should notice the line on the side of the pan indicated that some of the water has evaporated.
- Add in sugar and salt and continue to cook for a few minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Easy Salsa Roja
Equipment
- High Speed Blender
Ingredients
- 4 Tomatoes
- 1/2 Yellow Onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 bunch cilantro
- 1 Jalapeno
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- Sea Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Instructions:Wash tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro. Deseed the jalapeño using gloves and slicing in down the center. Remove the stem and seeds.Put the following raw vegetables in a high speed blender and blend until smooth: tomatoes, cloves of garlic, onion, jalapeño.Remove the majority of the stems on the cilantro, add them to blended liquid and pulse until cilantro is chopped into fine pieces.Pour the blended liquid into a sauce pan and place on medium high heat on the stove.Allow salsa to read a mild boil and continue to cook for approximately 10 minutes. You should notice the line on the side of the pan indicated that some of the water has evaporated. Add in sugar and salt and continue to cook for a few minutes.Remove from heat and let cool.
Notes
Notes:
-Use gloves when handling hot peppers. The oils and juices (particularly in the seeds) have capsaicin which will burn your bare skin and leave them aching for a couple hours.
-Try to acquire organic produce especially for the tomatoes, jalapeño and cilantro, as they do not have an outer protective layer that can be removed and discarded.
FAQ:
Can I serve this salsa raw without cooking it on the stove top?
I don’t recommend eating this recipe raw as it just doesn’t taste great. The cooking process for the tomato, garlic and onion are really vital to get the classic roja flavor. The sugar and salt also benefit from the cooking process and they are really able to melt and break down properly. Lastly, there is a small reduction process happening as 1/4 of the liquid evaporates and the final product is reduced. This leaves the salsa the perfect consistency and flavor.
Health Benefits for Salsa Roja:
Tomatoes- Tomatoes offer many health benefits, one notable benefit is that they are high in lycopene. This happens to be one of the contributors to the dark red color. Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been linked to possible reduction of heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes are also high in vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants. They may improve vision, skin health and boost immunity. Tomatoes are also amazing to help reduce stress damage to the cells and are nourishing to the adrenal glands!
Garlic- Antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory
Onion: Contains powerful antioxidants. Red onion containing valuable sulphur compounds that destroy bacteria and viruses. Onion has amazing abilities to lower blood pressure and high cholesterol. Onions eaten raw have the highest benefits. Onions aid in removing heavy metals from the body.
Cilantro- Helps remove heavy metals from the brain and organs. Is a great detoxifier and cleanser. Full of minerals and is highly alkalizing to the body.
Jalapeños- Stimulates a stagnant liver into detox and optimal functioning.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this Site is for general informational purposes only, to include blog postings and any linked material. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice or treatment, nor should it be relied upon for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any health consideration. Consult with a licensed health care practitioner before altering or discontinuing any medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program.
Fun Facts For Spicy Salsa Roja
Capsaicin: A chemical compound found in chili peppers that causes the spicy heat sensation.
-Capsaicin is created by the pepper plant to stop animals from eating its fruit.
-Birds do not have the taste receptors that are triggered from Capsaicin. If you put cayenne pepper on bird feed they do not detect spiciness and it is a great way to keep other animals such as squirrels from eating it!
-Capsaicin is found to have antibacterial components.
-They have found an analgesic (pain reliever) effect in Capsaicin.
-This chemical compound can stimulate liver detoxification and wake up a sluggish tired liver.
-Produces ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins.
-Helps clean out your sinuses.
-Always wear gloves when handling hot peppers and be careful not to touch your eyes!*
If you do make this incredibly quick and easy fresh tomato salsa roja recipe, please comment, rate this recipe or share to your Pinterest or other socials if you so desire! You can follow me on Pinterest at Mole in the Wall.
Don’t forget to check out the links I have in this blog posts directing you to the crispy shredded chicken tacos that I made this roja salsa recipe for. You can find that recipe for those tacos here: crispy shredded chicken tacos. If you are interested in this salsa recipe you may also enjoy this chipotle salsa recipe.
Happy eating:)
