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Salsa Verde (Green Salsa)
4.9 from 78 votes

Salsa Verde (Green Salsa)

Salsa Verde is a green sauce made from roasted tomatillos and jalapeno peppers blended with onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and seasonings. The roasting gives it a slightly charred, smoky flavor balanced by the bright acidity of lime and freshness of herbs. The result is a chunky textured salsa with mild to moderate heat.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 lbs tomatillos husked
  • 1 jalapeno pepper stem removed (before or after roasting
  • 2/3 cup yellow onion rinsed under water to remove harsh bite, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp sugar to taste
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice fresh
  • 3 Tbsp water then more as desired

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Move oven rack about 4-inch below broiler element, preheat broiler to high heat.
  2. Place tomatillos and jalapeno on a baking sheet then place in oven and roast about 4 - 5 minutes until charred on top (keep a close on on things as they can char pretty quickly - especially the pepper).
  3. Rotate veggies to opposite side and roast until charred on opposite side, about 3 - 5 minutes longer. 
  4. Slice pepper then add to a food processor along with onion, cilantro, garlic, salt, sugar, lime juice, water and tomatillos (and any juices on pan). 
  5. Pulse several times to a coarse puree. Stir in more water to thin if desired. Chill through in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Use tomatillos of similar size to ensure even roasting.
  • Adjust heat by removing jalapeno seeds for milder salsa or omitting the jalapeno fully if sensitive to spice.
  • Do not overprocess; a slightly chunky texture preserves the salsa’s character.