How to Make Fresh, Flavorful Tomato Salsa from Scratch

Nothing beats the vibrant, refreshing taste of homemade fresh tomato salsa. This classic recipe is a go-to for gatherings, weeknight dinners, or any occasion for a flavorful dip.

This salsa blends simple ingredients —ripe, juicy tomatoes, zesty lime, and fresh cilantro—to deliver an impressive burst of flavor. Unlike store-bought versions, making your own salsa lets you control every ingredient, from the spice level to the freshness of the produce.

This recipe is ideal when you have an abundance of tomatoes or want a quick and easy way to elevate your snacks. Perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, grilled meats, or even scrambled eggs, this salsa adds a fresh, tangy note to almost any dish.

Whether you like your salsa chunky or finely chopped, you can adjust the consistency to suit your preferences. The best part? It only takes minutes to prepare, making it a convenient choice for busy cooks. Dive into this simple recipe and enjoy the authentic taste of fresh ingredients that will bring flavor to your table!

What Is Salsa?

Salsa is a flavorful sauce or dip that originated in Latin American cuisine, especially popular in Mexican dishes. The word "salsa" means "sauce" in Spanish, but it generally refers to a mixture of finely chopped vegetables and herbs. Traditional salsa recipes are often made from fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers (like jalapeño or serrano), cilantro, lime juice, and salt, with other optional ingredients for added flavor.

Salsa is a condiment or dip commonly enjoyed with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, burritos, grilled meats, and eggs. While tomato-based salsa is a staple, there are many varieties, such as salsa verde (a green salsa made with tomatillos), mango salsa, and corn salsa.

Salsa can be served raw ("pico de gallo" or "salsa fresca") or cooked for a smoother, more blended texture. Its versatile flavor—fresh, tangy, and sometimes spicy—makes it a favorite for adding brightness and zing to many dishes.

In our house, we call my salsa "Honus's" Salsa, a nickname given to me by one of my wife's friends. Now, it doesn't matter what type of salsa I make; they are all Honus's.

Salsa Variations

Although salsa is most often made with tomatoes, it can be prepared with various fruits and vegetables, depending on what you are going to serve it with. I've prepared different variations of salsas made with papaya, pineapple, and mango that go great with grilled fish, chicken, pork, or shrimp.

Or how about combining tomato and fruit, like orange, tomato, and red onion salsa? In one of my favorite New York Italian restaurants, they served grilled veal chops with traditional piquant salsa.

And if you're hungry and in a hurry, a simple fresh tomato salsa on top of a baked potato is delicious.

There are endless recipes you can create, and depending on your taste buds, you can make them as spicy or mild as you like. Just be careful not to touch your eyes after handling hot peppers. Do you think they're hot in your mouth?

Goes Great With Fish, Chicken or Pork

This salsa is great with any firm white fish, such as swordfish or sea bass, but be careful not to overpower the wonderful taste of fresh fish. I have used it on grilled chicken breasts and roasted pork loin. Leftovers the next night make a great base for a different dish.

Give this recipe a try, or create your own and serve it with something other than chips. After a night of marinating, the leftovers are better the next day and make a great omelet the next morning.

When I prepare this recipe, I usually make a large amount at one time and dine on it all week. If you just want to make enough for one meal, reduce the amounts proportionately.

Don't Make This Salsa Unless You Can Get Your Hands On Ripe, Tasty Tomatoes & Seasonal Vegetables

Please don't attempt this recipe unless you are using fresh, seasonal tomatoes that taste like tomatoes. Unfortunately, the season for fresh tomatoes in most places is short.

I have tasted excellent local hot house tomatoes that would work fine, but most tomatoes you buy at the market, shipped from who knows where, don't have any taste at all. They might work in a tomato sauce, but not when eaten raw.

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Fresh Tomato Salsa

We call it Honus's Salsa but it is really a delicious tomato based salsa.

Prep Time30

Cook Time1

Total Time30

Course: Sauces

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 6 cups

Ingredients

6 - 8 large fresh flavorful tomatoes about 6 cups
2 scallions finely minced
1 cup FRESH cilantro chopped, no stems
6 cloves garlic minced
¼ cup FRESH oregano minced
2 tablespoons Jalapeno pepper minced (more if your taste buds can handle it)
1 red pepper chopped
2 yellow peppers chopped
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons FRESH lime juice
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Chop up the tomatoes and mince the scallions. If you can't find scallions, you can substitute fresh onion.
Mince the garlic and chop up the oregano.
Split the pepper in half and clean out the seeds and membrane and then chop into small pieces.
Mince the jalapeno and be careful. You'll want to wash your hands after handling it so not to take a chance of rubbing any in your eyes.
Once all the ingredients are prepped, add them to a large bowl and stir gently until well combined.
Cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour.