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Homemade Chunky Salsa Recipe

by Cheryl Whyte
written by Cheryl Whyte
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We’re getting ready for summer gatherings with this homemade chunky salsa recipe. Made with fresh ingredients and bursting with flavor, thanks to juicy tomatoes, fiery jalapeño peppers, sweet shallots, and fragrant garlic. It’s the perfect topping for tacos, crunchy tortilla chips, nourish bowls, grilled chicken, and so much more.

Oval earthenware bowl with homemade chunky salsa and a large serving spoon sitting on a cream cloth. this RECIPE

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Fresh Chunky Salsa Recipe

Homemade chunky salsa is one of the most versatile toppings out there, and it’s one of my absolute favorites! It’s delicious on everything from enchiladas, tacos, and burritos to breakfast eggs and grilled chicken.

What I love most about a homemade chunky salsa recipe is that you can customize it to your liking by adjusting the level of spiciness or adding the ingredients YOU love. Plus, making your own salsa allows you to control the quality of the ingredients used – no mystery additives or preservatives here!

Overall, there’s just something special about making salsa from scratch instead of relying on store-bought salsas. Whether you’re hosting a party or want to add some excitement to your everyday meals, I just know homemade chunky salsa will become one of your go-to toppings too!

If you’re looking for tomato-less taco toppings, no problem! Check out my quick and easy pickled red onions for a crunchy tang with a pop of vibrant pink. Or, a favorite on fish tacos, my spicy mango salsa. Don’t know which to choose, go for both. They’re always a hit!

Oval earthenware bowl with homemade chunky salsa sitting on a cream cloth.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Chunky Salsa Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homemade salsa…

  • It’s bursting with flavor – thanks to a combination of juicy tomatoes, punchy shallots, zesty lime juice, garlic, and cilantro.
  • It’s incredibly versatile – use it as a dip for chips or veggies, spoon it over tacos or burritos, or even mix it into scrambled eggs for breakfast!
  • It’s an easy recipe to make – all you need are a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time.
  • You can customize the heat level – whether you prefer mild or spicy salsa, this recipe can be easily adapted to suit your tastes.

This recipe is: Vegan | Vegetarian | Gluten-Free | Low Carb | Soy-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free

Homemade Chunky Salsa Recipe Ingredients

Making homemade tomato salsa could not be easier. All the ingredients and fresh produce can be found easily at your local grocery store.

Ingredients for homemade chunky salsa on a kitchen worktop.
  • Fresh Tomatoes: The star ingredient in this homemade chunky salsa recipe! Tomatoes provide a juicy and refreshing base that perfectly balances the heat from the jalapeños. For the best flavor, choose tomatoes that are a deep red color and firm to the touch.
  • Shallots: Provide a delicate crunch and slightly sweet flavor.
  • Fresh Cilantro (Coriander): Cilantro adds a unique citrusy and slightly peppery flavor that works perfectly with the ripe tomatoes and the subtle heat from jalapeños.
  • Jalapeño: For heat.
  • Fresh Garlic: Adds a satisfying punch of flavor.
  • Lime: For brightness.
  • Agave Nectar: A touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and the lime.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For richness and to help the body absorb the fat-soluble nutrients in the dish.
  • Salt and Pepper: To make the flavors pop! The salsa can fall flat without a lift from the seasoning.
Oval earthenware bowl with homemade chunky salsa and a large serving spoon sitting on a cream cloth.

Recipe Substitutions

Don’t let ingredients you don’t like or can’t get hold of at your local grocery store stop you from making what I think is the BEST homemade chunky salsa recipe EVER! There are plenty of options to make the recipe work for you. Here are some examples:

  • Tomatoes: As the star ingredient, the kind of tomato you choose is important. Look for a variety that’s in season, and check that it’s firm. While I use British Rosa vine-ripened tomatoes, Roma tomatoes are a great option. As are Campari tomatoes. Or even better, toms freshly picked from your garden tomato plants would be epic!! 
  • Heat: The amount of heat in a flavorful salsa comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for mild salsa, then remove the seeds from the jalapeño pepper. For hot salsa, keep the seeds. And if that’s still not enough heat for you, add an extra jalapeño if you dare! Just be sure to taste as you go. If you can’t get hold of any jalapeños, you could use Serrano peppers, a touch of chili powder, or a dash of hot sauce. If you don’t want any spice whatsoever, swap out the jalapeño for some bell pepper.
  • Acid: Acid is one of the four vital components (salt, fat, acid, heat) to balance out the salsa. But you don’t have to use fresh lime juice. Lemon juice, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar all work really well.  
  • Onion: While my personal choice is to use shallots for their sweet onion flavor, red onion, yellow onion, white onion, and green onions are all perfectly good subs. Just be sure to chop them finely. 

Recipe Variations

  • Restaurant-Style Salsa: A chunky salsa isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a smooth salsa, commonly referred to as restaurant-style salsa, this is what you need to do. Put all of the ingredients from this recipe into a food processor along with a 7oz (200g) can of chopped tomatoes and a teaspoon of tomato paste (tomato purée in the UK). Pulse until you achieve the texture you like. But don’t overdo it, or you’ll have yourself a tomato smoothie.  

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Ready to find out how to make this homemade chunky salsa recipe from scratch in 10 minutes or less? You’re in the right place. Let’s go!

  1. Prepare Ingredients

    Add all the ingredients to a large bowl.

    Large bowl containing diced tomatoes, finely chopped shallots and cilantro (fresh coriander), crushed garlic, salt and pepper.

  2. Combine Ingredients

    Gently mix the ingredients to combine. That’s it! It’s that easy!

    Large bowl containing diced tomatoes, finely chopped shallots and cilantro (fresh coriander), crushed garlic, salt and pepper that have been mixed together.

Find the recipe card with exact ingredients and full instructions at the bottom of the page. ⇩

Expert Tips

1. Use Fresh Ingredients

The key to making great tomato salsa is using fresh and high-quality ingredients. Opt for ripe and juicy tomatoes, crisp shallots, perky cilantro leaves, and fresh, fiery chili peppers.

2. Balance Your Flavors (It’s Easier Than You Think!)

A good tomato salsa should have a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Don’t overdo any one ingredient, as it might overpower the others. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences by adding more salt or sweetness if needed.

3. Chop Uniformly

As this is a chunkier salsa, the tomato pieces will be larger in size than the other ingredients. However, everything else should be finely chopped. This is a great way to ensure each bite has a wonderfully consistent flavor, and a huge chunk of garlic or onion doesn’t make you wince.

Oval earthenware bowl with homemade chunky salsa sitting on a cream cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Culinary Medicine Scoop ~ A Health Benefit of Tomatoes

Did you know that tomatoes are high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant? Yep, lycopene helps protect our bodies from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Research has also shown that lycopene has anti-inflammatory properties and may help to lower the risk of diabetes. [1]

Meals that Long for a Chunky Salsa Topping

If you’re wondering what you should serve with your homemade chunky salsa, here are just a few ideas:

Detailed Recipe Instructions

Oval earthenware bowl with homemade chunky salsa and a large serving spoon sitting on a cream cloth.

Homemade Chunky Salsa Recipe

This homemade chunky salsa recipe is made with fresh ingredients and is bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect topping for tacos, burritos, nachos, nourish bowls, grilled meats, and more.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories per Serving: 29kcal
Author: Cheryl Whyte

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb (450 g) tomatoes ripe but firm, deseeded & diced into roughly 1 cm cubes
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (fresh coriander)
  • 1 jalapeño finely chopped (remove the seeds for less heat)
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp agave nectar or honey
  • pinch sea salt flakes
  • pinch black pepper freshly ground

Instructions
 

  • Prepare: Gather and prepare your ingredients.
  • Salsa: Add all the ingredients to a large bowl (diced tomatoes, shallots, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, agave nectar, salt, and pepper) and gently mix to combine. Taste and add more seasoning if necessary. Pour into a serving bowl and enjoy!

Notes

For Best Results: If you have time, let the salsa sit in the fridge for an hour to allow the flavors to develop. Then, 20 minutes before serving, bring to room temperature. 
Storage Instructions: Your homemade chunky salsa will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. 
Freezing Instructions: Although homemade salsa is best eaten fresh, you can store leftover salsa in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze it for up to 2 months (for best flavor). Just be sure to drain as much liquid as possible before freezing, and expect the texture to change slightly once it has thawed.  

Nutrition

Calories: 29kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
Course | Condiments, Side Dish
Cuisine | Mexican
Keyword | best salsa recipe, Easy Salsa Recipe, fresh tomato salsa recipes, mexican recipes, pico de gallo salsa
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Share a photo and tag @therealfoodgeek so I can see all your delicious creations!

Get in Touch ♡

Get in touch via the comments section below, and let me know if you’ve found your new favorite chunky salsa recipe!

Thanks for stopping by!

Pin This Chunky Salsa Recipe for Later!

Oval earthenware bowl with homemade chunky salsa and a large serving spoon sitting on a cream cloth.

References:

  1. Imran M, et al. Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Aug 4;9(8):706. doi: 10.3390/antiox9080706. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7464847/

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Cheryl Whyte is a Certified Culinary Medicine Coach with an internationally accredited Diploma in Culinary Medicine from The Culinary Medicine College in London. She is also a recipe developer, food photographer, and blogger. Cheryl is passionate about sharing healthy recipes and spreading the joy of eating real food.