Name: Salsa Verde
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound tomatillos; 1/2 onion, chopped; 1 serrano pepper (or jalapeno); 2 cloves garlic; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1 Tablespoon lime juice; Salt & Pepper

Jump to Recipe

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.

Table of Contents show

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.

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
Onion
Cilantro
Lime Juice
Salt & Pepper

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

The first thing is to prep your 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.
Add chopped onion, crushed cloves of garlic and your serrano pepper to the tray.
Bake for 15 minutes, until the peppers start to char.
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.
Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
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.

Storing Salsa Verde

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.

Looking For More Salsa Recipes

Yield: 8

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 Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound tomatillos
1/2 onion, chopped
1 serrano pepper (or jalapeno)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1 Tablespoon lime juice
Salt & Pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450º F.
Remove the husks from the tomatillos and wash under warm water to remove waxy coating.
Cut tomatillos in half and place on a baking tray. Add coarsely chopped onion and serrano pepper
Crush cloves of garlic and remove the peel. Add to baking sheet.
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.
Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 23Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 38mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 1g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

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Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’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.