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Salsa Roja Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 130 reviews

Salsa Roja is a vibrant and smoky Mexican red salsa made with toasted serrano pepper, roasted Roma tomatoes, white onion, and fresh cilantro. This easy-to-make salsa is perfect for dipping, topping tacos, or adding a fresh kick to any dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 serrano pepper
  • 6 Roma tomatoes
  • 1/2 medium white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Toast pepper: Heat a dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat and toast the serrano pepper until it starts to blister and become fragrant. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  2. Roast vegetables: In the same skillet, place the whole Roma tomatoes and the half white onion. Cook, turning occasionally, until the vegetables are charred on the outside and soft inside.
  3. Blend ingredients: Transfer the toasted serrano pepper, roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic cloves, lime juice, olive oil, and salt into a blender. Blend the mixture until it reaches a smooth consistency.
  4. Pulse cilantro: Add the chopped fresh cilantro to the blender and pulse a few times to incorporate without fully blending to preserve its texture. Taste and adjust the salt as needed.

Notes

  • For a milder salsa, remove the seeds from the serrano pepper before toasting.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet for better charring and flavor development.
  • The salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • If you prefer a chunkier salsa, pulse the blender less or blend by hand after roasting the vegetables.

Keywords: Salsa Roja, Mexican salsa, roasted tomato salsa, serrano pepper salsa, homemade salsa, fresh salsa, easy salsa recipe