5 Minute Fresh Salsa

Name: 5 Minute Fresh Salsa
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 small jalapeño chili or 1/2 chipotle chili in adobo sauce - minced; 1/4 small red onion - roughly chopped; 1 small garlic clove - minced; 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro or parsley leaves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Pinch of ground pepper; 2 teaspoons fresh lime or lemon juice; 2 small ripe tomatoes - cored and roughly chopped ((1 14 oz can of diced, drained tomatoes can be used))

If you’ve got five minutes, you’ve got time to make this easy homemade 5 Minute Salsa. No roasting, no simmering—just fresh ingredients, a quick pulse in the food processor, and boom: a delicious salsa with just the right kick. It’s perfect for last-minute gatherings, taco night, or anytime you’re craving something snacky and bright.

A wooden bowl filled with chunky fresh salsa made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and peppers, served with two yellow tortilla chips on the side.A wooden bowl filled with chunky fresh salsa made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and peppers, served with two yellow tortilla chips on the side.

In This Post

Why You’ll Never Buy Store-Bought Again

Making salsa at home is truly one of the best things for any home cook to know. It’s one of those staples that, once you learn how ridiculously easy it is to make at home, you wonder why you ever bought it.

Ridiculously quick: Truly – under 5 minutes from start to finish.
Customizable heat: I use jalapeños for fresh heat, but chipotle adds a smoky twist.
Works with what you’ve got: Use fresh or canned tomatoes—whatever’s on hand.

This Salsa Secret Changes Everything

Here’s my secret to taking your salsa from meh to amazing: blend everything except the tomatoes first. Tomatoes hold a lot of moisture, and if you toss them in too early, your salsa can end up watery or frothy. Instead, pulse the other ingredients until finely chopped, then add the tomatoes and give it just a few quick pulses. That’s how you get that perfect, scoopable texture every time.

Homemade Salsa Ingredients

Overhead view of ingredients for salsa on a wooden surface: a halved lime, sliced garlic, a bowl of salt, chopped cilantro, black pepper, diced red onion, chopped jalapeños, and diced tomatoes, each labeled.

Vegetables – You only need red onion, garlic, and jalapenos for this recipe. Be sure to deseed the jalapenos.
Garlic – Fresh is always best!
Cilantro – Any great Mexican restaurant uses cilantro liberally, and so do I.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper – Cumin is another nice addition to this salsa.
Lime Juice – A little acid balances the tomatoes’ sweetness and the jalapeno’s heat.
Ripe Tomatoes – Fresh or canned tomatoes will work. If they are canned, be sure to drain them.

Make It Your Own

Smokey Heat – For a different type of spice, opt for chipotle peppers in adobo instead of jalapenos. Green chilies are also a great addition.
Don’t Like Cilantro? No problem, simply grab a bunch of parsley.
Lemon Burst – Lemon juice works well if you don’t have lime juice.

If you love salsa, try my fresh pineapple salsa, which is perfect for dipping or serving as a topping for fish and grilled chicken.

Easy Salsa Directions

Two side-by-side images showing a food processor. The left side has chopped onions, cilantro, garlic, and spices; the right side shows the same ingredients blended into a salsa. Lime, cilantro, and tomatoes are nearby.

Pulse: In a food processor or blender, combine jalapeño or chipotle, onion, garlic, cilantro (or parsley), salt, pepper, and citrus juice. Pulse until everything is finely chopped, scraping down the bowl as needed.
Add tomatoes: Add the tomatoes to the bowl and pulse just 2–3 times or until the salsa is the consistency you like. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then enjoy!

How Long Does This Blender Salsa Stay Good For?

If stored in an airtight container in the fridge, your salsa will stay fresh for about three days. The flavors will continue to deepen a bit over time, but the texture is best on day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without a food processor?

Yes! Just mince everything finely with a knife. It’ll take a bit more time, but it still tastes amazing. Or, you can use a blender.

What tomatoes work best?

Ripe fresh Roma tomatoes give the freshest flavor, but a 14 oz can of diced tomatoes (drained) is a perfect shortcut.

A close-up of a wooden bowl filled with chunky salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and other fresh ingredients, with a spoon resting inside.

How To Serve 5-Minute Salsa

This recipe is the best with your favorite tortilla chips, but here are a few other yummy ways to use it:

As a Topping: Spoon it over a Breakfast Burrito Bowl or on this Layered Mexican Dip.
Mixed In: Add it into Crock Pot Salsa Tacos, quesadillas, or grilled chicken.
As an Appetizer: Serve this on a platter with other dips like Slow Cooker Queso and guacamole.

Don’t Miss These Dip Recipes

If you tried this Easy 5-Minute Salsa Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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Marye

July 17, 2017 at 2:09 am

Oh I love a good salsa but one that can be made in 5 minutes is a keeper for sure!

Reply
- Donya
  
  July 17, 2017 at 7:31 pm
  
  You’ve got that right, Marye! I’ve had this recipe for years and it’s always a hit.
  Thanks for stopping by.
  XO,
  ~Donya
  
  Reply
Rose Molloy

May 2, 2014 at 5:57 am

Thank you so much, I have been looking for a good salsa recipe, and I think this is it. Pinned and printed thanks Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen.com

Reply
- Donya Mullins
  
  May 2, 2014 at 11:41 am
  
  You are welcome Rose. I've been using this recipe for years and just love it. Let me know what you think!xo,~Donya
  
  Reply