Homemade Salsa Verde

5 from 2 votes
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This Homemade Salsa Verde is super easy to make and is a delicious tomatillo salsa you can make in minutes for taco night or just snacking.

Homemade Salsa Verde is a vibrant, zesty sauce that adds instant flavor to just about anything—from tacos and enchiladas to grilled meats and chips. It is made with fresh tomatillos, cilantro, lime, and just a little bit of heat, it’s a simple recipe that delivers bold, authentic taste.

a chip in a bowl of salsa verde

 

I have always been a fan of tomatillo salsa, it is just a fun twist from the classic red Restaurant Style Salsa. When I was growing up there was one restaurant that had a spicy salsa verde, and it was the first place I ever tried it. And it was the only restaurant for a long time that ever had it available. So making it home because a mission to perfect it! Because we all know homemade salsa is better than any store bought jar out there.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy. Roasting the tomatillos is the most work involved in this. And then you just puree in the blender, couldn’t be easier!
  • Control the Spice. We like things spicy in our house, so I use an entire serrano, or multiple if I am making a large batch. But you can use only half or you can remove the seeds to reduce the heat and make it fit your tastes.
  • Make Ahead. Because you are roasting the tomatillos, it is warm when you blend it. You want it to chill for a couple of hours to get cold and have the flavors blend together. So it is perfect to make ahead for a party or taco night or to take to a potluck.
ingredients to make salsa verde

What You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  • Tomatillos
  • Garlic
  • Serrano Pepper or Jalapeno – how much you use is really up to how spicy you like it
  • Onion
  • Cilantro
  • Lime Juice
  • Salt & Pepper
roasted tomatillos on a baking sheet

What Are Tomatillos

Tomatillos look like a small green tomato that is still in the husk, or papery wrapper. It is not a green tomato though, they are different. Tomatillos are a fruit that is native to Mexico. They have a slightly more acidic, less sweet taste than a green tomato would have. To use a tomatillo, you remove the husk and then wash well to get rid of the waxy coating that is left behind.

For the best flavor, I think you really want to cook them; either roast or cook in a skillet over high heat to blister the outside. Cooking them helps mellow the acidity a little bit and helps whatever you are using them in have a more balanced flavor. My Instant Pot Pozole uses this same method to make the sauce.

roasted tomatillos in a food processor with cilantro

How To Make Salsa Verde

  • Prep Tomatillos. Remove the husk and wash them under warm water to remove the waxy coating. Cut them in half and place in a baking try.
  • Roast. Add chopped onion, crushed cloves of garlic and your serrano pepper to the tray. Bake for 15 minutes, until the peppers start to char.
  • Process. Remove from the oven and scrape everything on the tray into a blender or food processor. Add the cilantro and lime juice, puree until smooth.
  • Season. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
  • Chill. Pour into a bowl, cover and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
looking down on a bowl with salsa verde and tortilla chips around it

How To Use Salsa Verde

You really can use this salsa like you could any salsa, it just mixes up the flavor a little. Serve with Homemade Tortilla Chips for a perfect snack. Or use with any of these recipes for a twist.

Storage

You will want to store this in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last at least a week. You can easily double or triple the batch as well if you are looking to make for a large gathering.

scooping salsa verde onto a chip

Looking For More Salsa Recipes

cropped close up salsa verde in a white bowl
5 from 2 votes

Salsa Verde

This Homemade Salsa Verde is super easy to make and is a delicious tomatillo salsa you can make in minutes for taco night or just snacking.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 450º F.
  • Remove the husks from the tomatillos and wash under warm water to remove waxy coating.
    1 pound tomatillos
  • Cut tomatillos in half and place on a baking tray. Add coarsely chopped onion and serrano pepper
    1/2 onion, 1 serrano pepper
  • Crush cloves of garlic and remove the peel. Add to baking sheet.
    2 cloves garlic
  • Bake for about 15 minutes until the tomatillos start to brown.
  • Remove from the oven and pour the entire contents of the baking tray into a food processor or blender. Add cilantro and lime juice, process until smooth.
    1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
    Salt & Pepper

Nutrition

Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 23
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About Erin Sellin

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and Iโ€™m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, youโ€™ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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