Restaurant Style Salsa

Restaurant-Style Salsa is an easy, homemade salsa that tastes just like your favorite Mexican restaurant! Made with mostly pantry ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes!

Originally posted September 14, 2010. Updated March 20, 2025.

This restaurant-style salsa tastes just like the one from your favorite Mexican restaurant. I have one specific Mexican restaurant near me that I go to just because of their salsa and this recipe makes such a similar salsa.

It’s also very adaptable. I have the jalapenos listed as 1 – 4 whole jalapenos. If you don’t like it spicy, start with 1 jalapeno. If you like a lot of spice, add more. I like it spicy so sometimes I’ll even add a 5th.

This is probably one of my most made recipes. I’ll make it on a Sunday to add to breakfast tacos all week or just to use as an afterschool snack. It also makes a ton – I fill up 1 ½ takeout soup containers – so I know it’ll last through the week.

And did I mention it’s super easy?! All the tomatoes come from cans, everything gets blended together in a blender (I have to do it in batches), and it seriously takes less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• Canned whole tomatoes – you’re going to use the tomatoes and the juice they are packed in.
• Rotel – diced tomatoes with green chiles. I use the original Rotel but you can use mild or the spicy one to adjust how much heat is in the recipe.
• Onion – if you like a more onion-y salsa, feel free to add even more onion!
• Jalapeno – adjust the amount of jalapeno based on how much heat you prefer in your salsa. I like to add a lot but you might want to start with 1, taste it, and add more if you want more spice.
• Sugar – this does not make the salsa sweet, just balances all the acidity in the tomatoes.
• Salt – depending on your preference, you may need more salt. Taste on a salty tortilla chip and then add more if needed.
• Cumin – just a tiny bit. It doesn’t make it taste like cumin, just adds a little something extra.
• Lime juice – fresh lime juice will add the best flavor but if you have bottled, it will work just fine.
• Cilantro – if you are a cilantro hater, leave it out.

How To Make Restaurant Style Salsa

• Combine. Put whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a food processor
• Taste. Taste and adjust seasonings and spice as needed.
• Chill. Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour

How Long Is It Good For?

This homemade salsa will stay good for up to 7 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Then you can use it all week in recipes or just serve with tortilla chips for a delicious snack. 

Can You Freeze It?

You can freeze homemade salsa for up to 3 months. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.

When you are ready to serve it, let it defrost overnight in the fridge and then give it a good stir before serving.

What To Serve With Homemade Salsa

• Cowboy Queso
• Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
• Queso Fundido
• Ground Beef Tater Tot Nachos
• Sweet Pork Tacos with Cilantro Ranch Dressing
• Three Bean Enchilada Casserole
• Mexican Rice

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