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Learn how to easily make the best salsa verde at home! This quick tomatillo salsa recipe only requires 7 simple ingredients and it’s SO easy to make in your food processor or blender. Beautifully refreshing and bursting with bright flavors, this green salsa recipe is always a huge hit at parties! One bite of this deeply-flavorful verde sauce and you will never go back to store-bought salsa again. (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

“This recipe is SO good! I double the recipe and store half in the freezer!”

– ROBIN on Pinterest
Overhead photo of chunky green salsa in a bowl with a yellow tortilla chip inserted into the salsa.

Update: This recipe was originally published in June 2014. I made updates to the post below to include more information about green salsa.

Hi friends! Let’s talk sauces! I have a serious undying love for all things sauce related – dips, salsas, dressings, vinaigrettes, aiolis (you name it!), I absolutely love them all! It’s my firm belief that life tastes better when it is drizzled, dipped, smothered and covered with some sort of flavorful sauce!

So, today I am sharing one of my all time favorite Mexican salsas that doubles as a sauce, dip or dressing! This recipe for green tomato salsa verde is unbelievably delicious and I always have it on hand in my refrigerator. It’s the perfect dip for snacking; however, it’s also such an easy way to jazz up any dish  – think enchiladas, taco salads, eggs and so much MORE!!!

Overhead photo of all the ingredients in homemade tomatillo sauce neatly arranged on a wood cutting board.

Table of Contents

About this salsa verde

This Mexican green salsa is vibrant, bold and full of fresh flavor! Tangy, smoky, slightly spicy and 100% refreshing, this salsa verde recipe is a million times better that the store-bought kind!

This recipe calls for roasting (or grilling) the tomatillos and jalapeños until just charred to really bring out their flavor. While you can absolutely use raw tomatoes and peppers in this salsa recipe, you will be missing out on the added depth of flavor.

Why you ‘ll love this recipe

  • Incredibly easy to prepare! You can have the best salsa verde in just a few easy steps – simply roast the tomatillos and peppers and blend them up with a few basic ingredients!
  • Simple, fresh ingredients! This salsa tomatillo verde recipe only requires 7 fresh, natural ingredients that are easy to find!
  • So fresh and flavorful! Roasted tomatillo salsa is SO fresh and bursting with bright, tangy and slightly spicy flavors!
  • Chunky texture! While convenient, store-bought salsas are watery and totally lacking in the texture department! This restaurant-style green salsa is chunky, deeply flavorful and totally irresistible!
  • Versatile! You can use this green sauce as a salsa, dip, dressing or sauce! Try serving tomatillo verde as an easy dip with chips; use it in your favorite Mexican recipes, or transform it into a dressing! (Scroll down to read about 14 different and delicious ways to use this salsa verde!)
Overhead photo of roasted vegetables - tomatillos, poblano peppers and a jalapeño pepper - on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

What is verde salsa?

Contrary to common belief, salsa verde is not a salsa for chips! Rather, it’s a category of uncooked (raw) green sauces that are typically served cold or at room temperature. Salsa verde literally translates in Spanish to ‘green sauce’.

Each country has their own version of salsa verde; however, the four most popular varieties are Mexican tomatillo salsa, Italian pesto, Argentinian Chimichurri and French sauce Verte. The ingredients and overall flavors vary greatly among each version of green sauce – ranging from vegetable and fruit dense tomatillo salsa to oil-forward pesto or vinegar-forward chimichurri.

This verde recipe is an easy, modern take on Mexican tomatillo salsa. It’s made with a fresh combination of roasted tomatillos and Mexican chili peppers, along with garlic, fresh lime juice, cilantro and onion!

What is the difference between green salsa and regular salsa?

Both traditional (red) salsa and Mexican green salsa are cold, uncooked salsas made from fruit. However, there are a few distinct differences between the two!

  • Color: Traditional tomato salsa is red in color while salsa verde is green.
  • Fruit: Green verde salsa uses ripe tomatillos instead of traditional red tomatoes.
  • Taste: Traditional salsa is slightly sweet and can range from very mild to spicy in flavor. Tomatillo salsa is tangy and zesty in flavor with an underlying smoky green chile taste.

Why is it green?

Mexican salsa verde gets its vibrant green color from the fresh ingredients used to make it – namely, tomatillos, green chili peppers, cilantro and lime juice.

Overhead photo of a food processor bowl filled with tomatillos, chili peppers, onions, cilantro and garlic.

Ingredients for tomatillo verde

This cilantro tomatillo sauce is bursting with flavor and totally addictive! This recipe relies on 7 easy to find, simple ingredients (plus a few pantry staples!) to create a vibrant, refreshing sauce that everyone will love!

  • Mexican chili peppers: Fresh chili peppers provide a little heat! I like to use a mix of smoky poblanos and mild jalapeño peppers. Make sure you remove most (or all) of the ribs and seeds or your green salsa will be very spicy!
  • Tomatillos: Fresh tomatillos are the star ingredient! Tomatillos look like small green tomatoes wrapped in a thin, paper-like husk.
  • Onion: White onions have the crispest texture and provide a sharp zing of flavor.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves of garlic provide the perfect touch of robust, savory flavor.
  • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a ton of earthy flavor!
  • Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bit of acidity. However, don’t use too much lime juice because tomatillos already provide a bit of tart flavor.
  • Sweetener: Agave or honey provides a touch of sweetness and balances out the tart flavors.
  • Spices: A combination of cumin, kosher salt and ground black pepper round out all the flavors.

Recipe variations

Want to make a few changes or additions to this verde sauce recipe? Fantastic! I encourage you to make this salsa your own! Get creative in the kitchen – add ingredients you love and eliminate the ones you don’t! Below are a few ideas to get you started!

  • Peppers: Substitute the poblano and jalapeño peppers for serrano peppers for a spicier kick! Or try using green bell peppers if you prefer a very mild salsa!
  • Green tomatoes: If you can’t find tomatillos, don’t fret! Turn this into a green tomato salsa by substituting green tomatoes for the tomatillos!
  • Spices: Amp up the heat by throwing in a few pinches of cayenne pepper!
  • Scallions: Toss in some fresh scallions (green onions) if you prefer an onion forward flavor!
  • Cucumber: Tomatillos and cucumbers are an excellent pairing! Replace some of the peppers or tomatillos for a bit of cucumber for a super refreshing variation!
  • Avocado: Transform this chunky salsa into a creamy one by blending in an avocado or two!
Overhead photo of a food processor bowl filled with Mexican green sauce.

How to make tomatillo salsa verde at home

Homemade roasted tomatillo salsa is easy to make and loaded with fresh ingredients. Only 7 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep stand between you and this Mexican condiment staple!

  1. Roast the tomatillos and peppers (optional). Preheat grill to medium-high or oven to high broil. Toss the tomatillos and peppers with oil. Grill or broil until both the chili peppers and the tomatillos are charred and tender, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. De-stem and chop peppers. Cut the stems off of the peppers; remove and discard the seeds. Roughly chop the peppers and transfer to a food processor. Set tomatillos aside.
  3. Blend salsa. Add the onions and garlic to the food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped. Add the tomatillos and pulse again. Add in the cilantro, lime juice and agave (or honey) if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pulse until the vegetables are broken down, but the salsa is still chunky.
  4. Refrigerate (optional). For best results, transfer the Salsa Verde Mexican to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to develop for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Follow these chef expert tips for the most success

  • Use fresh tomatillos! When selecting tomatillos to make salsa verde sauce, look for ones with the paper-like husk still in tact. Tomatillos should be smooth and firm to the touch; and green in hue.
  • Customize it! Treat the recipe as a starting point and adjust the dish to your specific taste – this is especially true with this green tomatillo sauce! If you like a thinner salsa, add water to the food processor until desired consistency is achieved. If this salsa verde recipe is too tart for your taste, simply add agave or honey to taste.

Step-by-step photos: making this recipe at home

Below you will find a picture collage showing you exactly how to make this Mexican salsa verde recipe, step-by-step! Please scroll down for the printable recipe card, which contains detailed instructions and measurements for this tomatillo salsa.

Overhead photo collage of how to make tomatillo verde salsa step by step with written instructions on each step.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

What is a tomatillo?

First things first – what exactly is a tomatillo? A tomatillo, pronounced “toe-mah-TEE-yo“, is known as the ‘Mexican husk tomato’. Tomatillos are small, spherical fruits that are part of the nightshade family (along with peppers, tomatoes and eggplants). They’re typically green in color (though they can be found in many colors ranging from yellow to purple) and covered in a leafy, papery husk. While they’re native to Mexico, they are also grown throughout the western United States.

How’s it different from a green tomato?

At first glance, tomatillos very closely resemble green tomatoes. And, while they are both members of the nightshade family, they are actually two very different fruits!

Tomatoes are red in color with a naturally sweet flavor. On the other hand, tomatillos are typically green with a vibrant, tart flavor.

What do they taste like?

Fresh tomatillos have a uniquely delicious flavor that is vegetal, tart and bright. Because tomatillos are quite tart, they are best cooked (through roasting, boiling or sautéing) prior to being consumed. After cooking, tomatillos natural sweetness intensifies and they lose some of their harsh tartness. Roasted tomatillos in green chili salsa lend a deliciously bright and slightly tart flavor!

How to select and store tomatillos for verde sauce?

Tomatillos are the star ingredient in this green salsa verde; therefore, it’s important you select the best looking ones a the grocery store of farmer’s market! Read below for a comprehensive breakdown on how to buy and store fresh tomatillos!

How to shop for green tomatillos?

You can find fresh tomatillos in the produce section of most major grocery stores, Mexican food markets and select farmer’s markets. Selecting the freshest green tomatillos for your homemade salsa verde is easy once you know what to look for!

  • Husk: When selecting tomatillos, pick ones that are completely wrapped in their husk.
  • Color: Gently peel back a small portion of the husk, make sure the tomatillos are bright green and vibrant in color.
  • Touch: Fresh tomatillos should be firm to the touch, without any soft spots.
  • Size: Try to select tomatillos that are smaller in size as they will offer the most flavor and sweet taste!

How to store them?

When you bring home your fresh tomatillos, do not peel back or remove their husks! Keeping the husks intact will help keep them fresh and free of blemishes and bruises. Place your tomatillos loosely in an unsealed paper bag and store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Properly stored, they will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 weeks!

What does tomatillo sauce taste like?

Mexican green salsa is tart, tangy, zesty in flavor with a bright and refreshing taste. The level of heat, or spiciness, can vary greatly from recipe to recipe and can range from mild to hot.

Is it spicy?

Most verde sauces incorporate green chili peppers of some kind – jalapeños, poblanos and/or serrano peppers being among the most common. However, each tomatillo verdes recipe or store-bought brand will range in spiciness from very mild to extremely hot.

The best part of making your own salsa de tomatillo? You are in control of the level of heat and can easily customize it to your specific taste!

  • Spicy Salsa Verde: If you are a huge fan of fiery heat, I recommend leaving all the seeds and ribs in the chili peppers! As well, you can add a serrano pepper or two for even more heat!
  • Medium Green Salsa: Do you prefer your chile verde salsa more moderate in heat? If so, make sure you remove and discard half of the seeds and ribs from the chili peppers before adding them to the blender.
  • Mild Tomatillo Salsa: Love tomatillo salsas, but can’t stand the heat? No worries! Completely remove and discard all the seeds and ribs in the chili peppers before adding them to the blender. Whatever you do, don’t completely omit the peppers as they provide a layer of smoky flavor that is necessary for the best tasting salsa verde!
  • Very Mild Green Sauce: Feeding someone with a sensitivity to any and all spicy heat? Simply follow the above tips for mild salsa and substitute the jalapeño pepper for an Anaheim pepper!

Can I make tomatillo salsa verde in advance?

Absolutely! Homemade tomatillo salsa actually tastes best if made in advance! Allowing the green sauce to sit in the refrigerator gives the flavors have a chance to develop, marry and meld! The bright flavors will actually intensify with time, which means this salsa just tastes better with time!

While you can enjoy this easy salsa right away, I recommend making it at least 1-2 hours in advance for the best taste. However, you can make this salsa verde recipe up to 4 days in advance.

Overhead photo of roasted tomatillo salsa in a small serving bowl with a pile of yellow tortilla chips scattered next to the bowl.

Serving roasted tomatillo salsas

Salsa verde is a bright, versatile sauce that tastes delicious with everything! The most common way to enjoy green tomatillo salsa is with a bag of salty, crunchy tortilla chips. However, this recipe for tomatillo sauce is more than just a dip for chips. It’s also a great way to liven up boring, bland dishes and it tastes absolutely magical with just about everything!

14 delicious ways to use it

  • Dip: The most obvious way to use chili verde sauce – as a dip for tortilla chips and raw vegetables.
  • Chilaquiles: Try fresh tomatillo salsa as a base sauce to prepare breakfast chilaquiles.
  • Scrambles: Toss a few tablespoons of roasted salsa verde into your scrambled eggs to add color and tons of flavor.
  • Dressing: Use fresh tomatillo salsa as a light salad dressing. Or, mix a bit of salsa with yogurt, mayonnaise or sour cream to create a creamy, punchy dressing.
  • Soup: Finish soups off with a generous dollop of chile verde salsa for burst of fresh, zippy flavor.
  • Meat toppers: Try is as a topping for meat! Simply drizzle a bit of roasted tomato salsa verde over Mexican beef, grilled steak, chicken, pork and more!
  • Seafood toppers: Salsa is amazing on top of grilled seafood. Just look at this like this salmon salsa. However, it’s also delish with shrimp, white fish ceviche, tostadas de ceviche, and more.
  • Marinade: Brighten up meat, chicken and fish by using Mexican green salsa as a marinade!
  • Tacos: Drizzle green verde salsa over pork tacos, chicken tacos, shrimp tacos, and this fish taco bowl recipe for silky robust flavor!
  • Nachos, Burritos, Fajitas and Taquitos: Ditch the regular salsa and opt for tomatillo salsa as a topping for Mexican food!
  • Enchiladas: Skip the enchilada sauce and layer green salsa in Enchiladas Suizas!
  • Grains: Stir a bit of salsa into cooked cauliflower rice, Mexican rice with hamburger meat, or chicken casseroles for a little Mexican flavor and flare!
  • Vegetables: Liven up bland vegetables, such as beans or corns, with a bit of salsa!
  • Mexican stir-fry: Swap out traditional stir-fry sauce and use green verde salsa to make delicious Mexican chicken!
  • Bowls: Drizzle or dollop a bit of salsa de verde on top of bowl food, like burrito bowls, Mexi slaw bowls, and noodle bowls.

Storing leftovers

Store salsa verde in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, homemade salsa will stay fresh for up to 1 week.

Freezing instructions

You sure can! Freezing Mexican salsa is the perfect way to preserve the fresh taste! Plus, it’s the perfect sauce to have on hand in your freezer for easy entertaining or snacking!

  • Bag it: Transfer the tomatillo salsa to a freezer-safe resealable bag.
  • Headspace: Make sure you leave about an inch of headspace in the bag!
  • Remove air: Gently press down on the bag to remove all the air before sealing.
  • Freeze it: Transfer the bag to freezer and store your homemade tomatillos verdes for up to 3 months.
Angled, close-up photo of green Mexican salsa in a snack bowl.

Fresh, flavorful and a million times better than the store-bought variety, you are going to love this homemade green salsa verde!!

Until next time, friends, cheers – to getting saucy!

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More fresh salsa recipes!

If you love this green salsa recipe, try one of these delicious dips next:

Overhead photo of Salsa Verde topped with lime wedges and fresh cilantro in a neutral colored with yellow tortilla chips scattered around the bowl and a chip inserted into the salsa.

Tomatillo Salsa Verde (Green Salsa!)

5 from 10 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 20 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
This Homemade Salsa Verde recipe only requires 7 simple ingredients and it's incredibly easy to make! This tomatillo salsa is beautifully refreshing, bold in flavor and always a hit at parties! After just one bite, you will never go back to store-bought green salsa again!!
Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.

Equipment

  • Food Processor or High Power Blender
  • Oven or Grill (optional)

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/4 pound Tomatillos – husks and stems removed, rinsed & dried (about 9-10 small tomatillos) (SEE NOTES)
  • 2 Poblano Peppers (SEE NOTES)
  • 1 Jalapeno Pepper (SEE NOTES)
  • 1 TBS Vegetable Oil , plus more for oiling grates
  • ½ large White Onion – peeled & roughly chopped (SEE NOTES)
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic – peeled
  • 1/3 Cup Fresh Cilantro Leaves – loosely packed, or more to taste
  • 1 ½ TBS Fresh Lime Juice or more to taste (see note)
  • 1-4 tsp Agave or Honey – OPTIONAL (SEE NOTES)
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper

To Serve: Chips, Vegetables or use in your favorite Mexican dish!

Instructions

  • OPTIONAL FOR CHARRED SALSA: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat (see note if using oven). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, toss the tomatillos, poblanos and jalapeno and with oil. Place the vegetables on the hot grill. Grill vegetables, turning often, until the skin is charred and the vegetables are tender, about 8-10 minutes. Remove vegetables from the grill and transfer to a plate. Set aside to allow to cool slightly. (Optional – If you don’t like a strong smoky flavor, use your hands or the back of a paring knife to scrape off some of the charred skin and discard.)
  • Prep peppers and onions: Cut off the stems off the peppers and discard. Cut peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds if you want a mild salsa. Roughly chop the peppers. Set the tomatillos aside.
  • Blend Salsa: Place the onion, peppers and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped (about 10 pulses). Add in the tomatillos and pulse again to roughly chop (about 8-10 pulses). Add in the cilantro, lime juice, agave and cumin. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pulse again until vegetables are broken down, but salsa is still chunky. Taste and adjust for seasoning with more lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper if desired. Continue to pulse if a thinner salsa is desired.
  • Refrigerate: For best results, cover salsa, transfer to the refrigerator and allow the flavors to marry for at least 30 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy! Or, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
    Overhead photo of Homemade Salsa Verde topped with lime wedges and fresh cilantro in a neutral colored with yellow tortilla chips scattered around the bowl and a chip inserted into the salsa.

Video

Notes

  1. Peppers: The spiciness or heat of your salsa is controlled by the amount of seeds and ribs you leave in the peppers. For a very mild salsa, completely remove all the seeds and membrane from the peppers. For a mild salsa, leave half of the seeds and ribs. For a spicy salsa, leave all of the seeds and ribs.
  2. Tomatillos: When selecting tomatillos, look for ones with the husk still in tact.  Tomatillos should be firm to the touch and green in hue.
  3. Raw Onion: If you don’t like the bite of a raw onion, soak the chopped onions in water for 10 minutes prior to adding them to the food processor. Be sure to thoroughly drain and pat dry before using.
  4. Sweetener: The agave (or honey) in this recipe is entirely optional. I like to add a couple teaspoons to balance the tart flavor.
  5. Charring Vegetables: If you don’t want to use a grill, you can char the peppers and tomatillos under the broiler. Adjust oven rack so it is on the middle-upper shelf. Preheat oven to high broil. Add vegetables to baking sheet and broil for 6-10 minutes, rotating pan and flipping vegetables over as necessary to get an even char.
  6. Salsa Consistency: If you like a thinner salsa, add water to the food processor until desired consistency is achieved.
Make Ahead: Salsa verde can be made 5 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Salsa verde can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Recipe Yield:  Approximately 3 Cups
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 12 servings (1/4 cup per serving).  Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 31kcal    Carbohydrates: 4g    Protein: 1g    Fat: 2g    Saturated Fat: 1g    Sodium: 2mg    Potassium: 98mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 3g    Vitamin A: 160IU    Vitamin C: 23.7mg    Calcium: 6mg    Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Appetizer, Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican

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