Easy Tomatillo Salsa
If you’ve never made tomatillo salsa at home, you’re in for a real treat! This bright green salsa is zesty, fresh, and full of bold flavor. It’s made with roasted tomatillos, garlic, onion, and peppers, then blended into a smooth, tangy dip. It’s perfect for chips, tacos, burritos, and so much more.
The best part? It’s super easy to make with just a few simple steps. You’ll roast the veggies until they’re nicely charred, then blend everything together until smooth. You can make it as mild or spicy as you like. Once you try this homemade version, you may never go back to store-bought again!
Its sour flavor makes it perfect for salsas, and many other fresh Mexican-inspired recipes. If you haven’t tried it yet, I really encourage you to do so! You’ll love it!
Why You Must Make this Salsa Recipe
This tomatillo salsa is fresh, bold, and bursting with flavor. Roasting the ingredients adds a smoky kick that makes it extra tasty. It’s simple to make and goes with everything from chips to tacos!
- Bright, Tangy Flavor. Tomatillos have a natural zing that makes the salsa taste super fresh and exciting. It’s the kind of flavor that wakes up your taste buds!
- Easy to Make. You just roast a few veggies and blend them up—so simple! It takes very little effort, but the result tastes amazing.
- Customizable Heat. Like it mild or love it spicy? You can control the heat by adding more or less chili pepper.
- Great for So Many Dishes. Tomatillo salsa isn’t just for chips. It’s also delicious on meatless tacos, nachos, tofu rice bowls, and even plant-based breakfast casseroles!
- Naturally Fresh and Healthy. Made with whole, simple ingredients, this salsa is fresh and full of flavor without any weird stuff. Just veggies, herbs, and spices!
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This tomatillo salsa recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that pack a big flavor punch. Each one plays an important role, from the tangy tomatillos to the spicy jalapeños. Don’t worry if you’re missing something—there are easy swaps to keep the salsa delicious!
- Tomatillos – Give this salsa its bright, zesty flavor and signature green color. Roast them for a smoky, richer flavor. Can’t find fresh tomatillos? Use canned tomatillos (drained) or try green tomatoes with a splash of lime juice for a similar tang.
- White Onion – Add a clean, slightly sweet bite and give the salsa a little crunch and sharpness. For a milder taste, roast the onion slices until lightly browned. Yellow or red onions will work in a pinch.
- Jalapenos – Add that perfect little punch of heat! They also have a fresh, green flavor that works perfectly with tomatillos. Remove the seeds for less heat or leave them in if you like it spicy. For more heat, try serranos. For no heat, use green bell pepper instead.
- Garlic – Adds depth and a savory kick that rounds out the tang from the tomatillos. Roast the garlic cloves with the tomatillos to mellow out the sharpness. No fresh garlic? Use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
- Green Chili Peppers – Give a gentle heat and add a smoky, earthy flavor that deepens the salsa. Roast or char them to bring out extra flavor. Use canned green chilies if fresh aren’t available, or skip for a milder salsa.
- Cilantro – Brings everything together with its bright, fresh flavor. Blend it in last for the freshest flavor. Don’t love cilantro? Try fresh parsley or a little mint for a different but tasty twist.
How to Make This Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Making tomatillo salsa at home is quick, easy, and full of flavor. You’ll roast the veggies for a smoky touch, then blend everything into a smooth and zesty dip. It’s great with chips or as a topping for your favorite meals!
Step 1: Get Ready to Broil – Preheat your broiler and line a large baking sheet with foil. Husk, rinse, and halve the tomatillos.
Step 2: Roast the Veggies – Place the tomatillos and onion cut-side down on the sheet. Add the garlic and jalapeño, then broil for 5–7 minutes until nicely charred.
Finally, Step 3: Blend It Up – Add the roasted veggies, cilantro, and chili peppers to a blender. Pulse until smooth, and you’re done!
Serving Tips and Suggestions for Tomatillo Salsa
This green tomatillo salsa is such a great addition to all those rich recipes you love so much! You can add it on top of guacamole for a super lush dip, or as a base for a black bean taco to bring out all the flavors! The jalapeños and the green peppers give this yummy salsa that hot kick that just makes it so perfect! Here’s some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Dip with Chips – Grab your favorite tortilla chips and dive in! The tangy flavor makes it the perfect party dip.
- Top Your Tacos – Spoon it over vegan tacos for a zesty, fresh finish. It pairs great with roasted veggies, colorful bean salad, or plant-based meat.
- Drizzle on Rice Bowls – Add a burst of flavor to rice bowls or burrito bowls. It makes everything taste brighter and bolder.
- Mix into Guacamole – Stir a spoonful into guac (or over fresh avocado) for a fun twist. It adds a smoky, citrusy kick you’ll love.
- Serve with Grilled Veggies – Use it as a sauce for salad greens or grilled vegetables. It brings out their natural sweetness with a tangy touch.
- Spoon over Scrambled Tofu – Add it to tofu scrambles for a fresh, flavorful boost. It’s a great way to start the day with something exciting!
FAQs
Tomatillos look like small green tomatoes, but they’re not the same thing. They come wrapped in a papery husk and feel a little sticky underneath. They taste tangy and bright, and they’re the key to making that fresh green salsa pop!
If you can’t find tomatillos, no worries! Try using green tomatoes with a splash of lime juice for that tangy kick. You can also mix canned tomatillos with fresh ones, or even use roasted green bell peppers with a bit of vinegar to get close.
Nope, you don’t have to add hot peppers if you don’t want to! The salsa will still taste fresh and tangy without the heat. You can skip them or just use a little if you want it mild.
Obsessed With Salsas, Dips & Spreads? Check These Out!
If you make this Tomatillo Salsa recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!
Tomatillo Salsa
Ingredients
- 8 small tomatillos, about 1 pound
- ½ white onion, cut in half
- 1½ teaspoons minced garlic, (about 3 cloves)
- 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded
- ⅓ cup packed cilantro, chopped
- 1 can mild chopped green chili peppers, (4-ounce)
Optional additions:
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin, added in step 5
- Salt and pepper, to taste, added in step 5
- Seeds from jalapeño, for spice (added in step 5)
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Prep the tomatillos: remove their husks, wash them, and cut them in half.
- Place the tomatillos and onion face down on the prepared baking sheet. Add the garlic and jalapeño to the baking sheet.
- Broil for 5 to 7 minutes or until everything is evenly charred.
- In a blender or food processor, pulse the charred ingredients, cilantro, and chili peppers until the salsa is smooth.
Notes
Nutrition
This Tomatillo Salsa recipe was excerpted from the Plant-Based On a Budget cookbook by Toni Okamoto, BenBella Books. 2019. Photos by Jenny Love.
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Leave a Comment
Love a good salsa perfect for the summer holidays coming up
This is such a good one, Janaye! I hope you try it!
Love this salsa so much! So easy to make and so delicious!
We agree! It’s super good.
One of the most delicious salsas I’ve ever made! So fresh and delicious!
Yum! I want to eat this with a plantain burrito!!
This looks delicious! Thanks so much for linking to our mango habanero salsa!
This is so good! We really like the recipes from the Plant Based on a Budget Cookbook in general 🙂
Super Salsa Sensation!! I was totally WOW-ed by this recipe. It’s deceptively simple because the taste is so complex in the best way – fresh, slightly spicy and light. My new favorite salsa – yummmmm 😀
Loved the spicy -ness of this salsa.
Loved it w chips, of course, but also mixed it up w some quacamole for an extra kick. Yum!
I was intimidated by tomatillos for a long time until my hubby made homemade tomatillo salsa! It’s so easy and we DEVOURED it. Now it’s a go-to in our home!