This chipotle salsa is a blend of fire roasted tomatoes, onion, chipotle peppers, cilantro and lime juice, all mixed together to make a smoky and spicy salsa. A quick and easy appetizer option that takes just minutes to prepare and always gets rave reviews!
I love a good homemade salsa, whether it’s a sweet and refreshing pineapple salsa, savory salsa verde or this chipotle salsa with a complex flavor.
Salsa comes in all different forms and flavors, but this chipotle salsa has to be one of my all time favorites. It has just a handful of ingredients and is so quick to make with the help of a blender. I use this salsa as a dip with chips, or as a topping for grilled chicken, steak or fish.
Chipotle salsa ingredients
This salsa is made with canned fire roasted tomatoes, fresh lime juice, chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce they’re packed in, cilantro, salt, red onion and garlic.
How do you make chipotle salsa?
Start by placing canned fire roasted tomatoes, red onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice and salt in a blender. Blend until you reach your desired consistency. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for later use.
Tips for the perfect salsa
- Fire roasted tomatoes are sold with the other types of canned tomatoes, and they really add a lot of flavor to this salsa. There’s no need to drain the tomatoes before you add them to the blender.
- No blender on hand? Use a food processor instead!
- Chipotle peppers come in a small can in the international foods aisle near the Mexican offerings. They are packed in adobo sauce. This recipe calls for two peppers, along with some of the sauce from the can.
- Chipotle salsa will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this salsa as it will become watery when thawed.
- I prefer to use red onion because it has a milder flavor than white or yellow onions. That being said, it’s fine to use any variety you have on hand.
Recipe FAQs
This salsa is a great choice for a healthy diet. It is low in calories and carbohydrates, and contains nutritious ingredients. Tomatoes are full of lycopene, vitamin C and potassium. You can also use this salsa to flavor other low calorie dishes by spooning it over chicken, using it as a dip for fresh vegetables, or topping a piece of white fish.
This recipe is a medium on the heat scale. If you prefer a hotter salsa, you can add an extra chipotle pepper. For mild salsa, use just one pepper, or else omit the peppers and simply add an extra teaspoon of the adobo sauce from the can.
Flavor Variations
This recipe is fabulous as-is, but you can add other ingredients to make the flavors your own.
- Chilies: Feel free to add a 4 ounce can of roasted green chilies, or roast your own anaheim or poblano chilies. You can also add fresh minced jalapenos.
- Vegetables: Add 6 roasted tomatillos for a different flavor. You can also stir some corn kernels into the finished dish for added texture.
- Beans: Stir in 1 cup of black beans after the salsa is blended for a boost of protein and flavor.
- Avocado: Diced avocado is one of my favorite ways to dress up salsa!
Put out a big bowl of chipotle salsa with tortilla chips at your next gathering, it’s sure to be a total hit.
More recipes for salsa lovers
Chipotle Salsa Video
Chipotle Salsa
Ingredients
- 14 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes do not drain
- 1/2 cup red onion diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 chipotle peppers canned
- 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from the chipotle pepper can
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor.
- Blend or pulse until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Fire roasted tomatoes are sold with the other types of canned tomatoes, and they really add a lot of flavor to this salsa. There’s no need to drain the tomatoes before you add them to the blender.
- Chipotle peppers come in a small can in the international foods aisle near the Mexican offerings. They are packed in adobo sauce. This recipe calls for two peppers, along with some of the sauce from the can.
Rachna says
I love Chilpotle salsa. Such an easy recipe. I love how fire roasting adds a depth of flavor to the salsa.
Saif says
Looks amazing. Can’t wait to make Chipotle salsa tonight.
Ned says
This salsa was amazing!!! I can’t wait to make it again for the big game, I know it will be a big hit with my extended family!
Anjali says
This salsa was super simple to make and was so much more flavorful than store bought! We loved it!
Rhonda says
I love salsa and chipotle takes it to the next level. The smokiness is a real win.
Angela says
Such an easy and delicious salsa recipe! Love that you can get all this flavor from simple ingredients too. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Dannii says
Chipotle is one of my favourite flavours and this salsa looks amazing.
Wajeeha Nadeem says
This salsa turned out super delicious and I could not stop snacking on it with chips!
Tara says
Such an amazing combination of smoky and spicy flavors in this salsa. So easy too! I also love that it can last up to three days.
Heather says
I’ve made homemade salsa before but never this food! The fire roasted tomatoes made all the difference!! Definitely a hit.
Dionne says
Fantastic salsa! I make it pretty often as it goes very well with so many of my favorite dishes!
Tara says
So many wonderful flavors packed into this salsa! I love how easily it all comes together too. Definitely the perfect appetizer.
Heather Johnson says
so good! i love the spiciness – i added corn and black beans cuz that’s my fav!
veenaazmanov says
Love the combinations and the smoky and roasted flavors of ingredients. This is surely delicious and an exciting treat.
Jess says
This is my favorite way to make salsa. Love the addition of the adobo sauce!