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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

Easy Salsa (From Canned Tomatoes)

Last Modified: Jan 8, 2024. Originally Published: Jan 6, 2024 by Janessa.

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This quick and easy salsa from canned tomatoes is made using just a few basic ingredients and is ready in minutes! Whip up a batch for your next taco night or just when you want a quick snack.

Jump to:
  • The Ingredients
  • The Method
  • Leftovers and Storage
  • Make It Your Own
  • Serving Ideas
  • And if you liked this recipe…
  • Recipe Card
  • Comments
Bowl of salsa made from canned tomatoes with a hand dipping a chip.

If you've never tried to make your own salsa, this recipe is the place to start!

Nearly effortless (the food processor does all of the chopping) yet packed with flavor, it is one of those recipes that starts with such basic ingredients yet yields fantastic results (as does lemon guacamole).

Made using canned tomatoes and a handful of other basic ingredients, it is the kind of recipe that you can pull together at a moment's notice.

Perfect for those days when you make a tray of Ground Turkey Nachos only to discover your salsa jar has just a spoonful left in the fridge.

As long as you have a can of tomatoes in your pantry, and an onion and garlic in your cellar, you're good to go. If you have a jalapeno and cilantro on hand, it definitely takes it to the next level, but this delicious salsa can be made without too.

Top view of a bowl of salsa with a chip in it.

The Ingredients

  • Tomatoes- I typically use canned whole tomatoes but diced work too (fire roasted tomatoes add excellent flavor!). If using smaller cans (14 oz or 398 mL), use two or make a half batch.
  • Cilantro- If you’re not a fan of cilantro, this salsa is also tasty without.
  • Onion- The onion flavor tends to be stronger on the day that it is made and mellows out after sitting, but if you’re not a big fan of onion you may want to use half of an onion instead or see the option for making a cooked salsa which reduces the bite of the onion.
  • Garlic
  • Jalapeño- Be sure to remove the seeds. If you are sensitive to spice, you can use half or leave it out entirely. And if you would like to make the salsa spicier, add two or leave in some seeds.
  • Sea Salt- Kosher or table salt work as well. Taste and stir in more if needed.
  • Sweetener (Optional)- Depending on the flavor of the tomatoes, you may find you want to add about 1 teaspoon of sugar or agave syrup. Make the salsa, taste it and then stir it in if needed (I don’t usually find it necessary).

The Method

1. Pulse. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until you achieve your desired consistency.

Tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and garlic in a food processor.

2. Season. Taste and add seasoning as necessary. You may want to stir in additional salt or add some sweetener.

Tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and garlic in a food processor.

3. Cook (Optional). This salsa made with canned tomatoes is delicious fresh but it takes on a different and also delicious flavor cooked. If you aren't a fan of the taste of fresh onions, or if you want to thicken the salsa, you can add it to a saucepan and simmer for 15-20 minutes (it'll taste like the sauce in these huevos rancheros).

4. Chill and serve! You can serve it the salsa right away or chill and give the flavors time to develop.

Leftovers and Storage

Make Ahead: This quick salsa can be made up to 2 days in advance. It might even taste better on day 2 so it is a great recipe to prepare ahead.

To Store: Store canned tomato salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Make It Your Own

Customize this easy salsa salsa from canned tomatoes to suit your preferences! You could make it:

  • Spicier- Add an additional jalapeño or use just one but don’t remove the seeds.
  • Thicker- Drain the juices from the canned tomatoes and set aside prior to adding them to the processor. After pulsing, add the amount of tomato juice needed to achieve your desired consistency.
  • Fresher- Add the juice of 1 lime.
  • Earthier- Add 1 teaspoon of cumin.

No Food Processor? You can also use a regular blender. Pulse in a blender until it reaches your desired consistency. Don’t worry if it turns out a bit thin, it will still be delicious!

Salsa from canned tomatoes in a bowl with bowls of queso and guacamole in the background.

Serving Ideas

This quick homemade salsa is great for dipping with tortilla chips or even freshly cut vegetables. I like to use carrots and radishes cut into round “chips”.

It is also an excellent topping:

  • On tacos or burrito bowls: such as Ground Beef Tacos or Pork Carnitas
  • Nachos: like these Ground Turkey Nachos or Shredded Chicken Nachos
  • Quesadillas: like Corn Tortilla Quesadillas
  • Eggs: Try it with scrambled eggs or on an omelet. (Or use it to make some Huevos Rancheros-you would need about 2 cups.)

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And if you liked this recipe…

… you might like these other Snack-able Dips!

  • Beet Hummus
  • Corn and Black Bean Salsa
  • Pineapple Salsa
  • Easy Creamy Cashew Queso Dip

Recipe Card

Salsa in a white bowl with a chip.

Quick Salsa (From Canned Tomatoes)

This easy homemade salsa comes together with just a handful of ingredients including canned tomatoes. It is made entirely in a food processor which means no chopping! Perfect for nachos, tacos or as a dip with tortilla chips.
5 from 38 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 29kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes with their juices or canned diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro optional
  • 1 (~5 oz) medium yellow onion peeled
  • 1 jalapeno seeded
  • 2 clove garlic peeled
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt plus additional to taste
US Customary - Metric
(Prevent your screen from going dark)

Instructions

  • Place the canned tomatoes, cilantro, onion, jalapeno, garlic and salt into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until desired consistency is reached, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and add additional salt if needed.
  • Optional: Cook. If you would like to thicken the salsa or soften the flavor of the onions, you can cook the salsa in a saucepan over medium low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring often.
  • Serve immediately or for best flavor, chill for 3 hours.

Notes

Leftovers
Store leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 29kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1072IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

More Mexican Inspired Recipes!

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    Easy Chicken Fajita Nachos
  • Ground beef tacos on a plate.
    Veggie-Packed Ground Beef Tacos
  • Bowl of pineapple salsa alongside some chips.
    Pineapple Pico de Gallo Salsa
  • Top view of huevos rancheros with avocado and tortillas on the side.
    Huevos Rancheros with Black Beans (Homemade Sauce!)
« Oat Flour Brownies
Simple Lemon Guacamole (No Cilantro) »

Comments

    5 from 38 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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  1. Beth says

    October 13, 2022 at 7:03 am

    5 stars
    Love how easy this salsa is. My husband loved the jalepnos!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 13, 2022 at 6:20 pm

      I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Beth!

      Reply
  2. Jess says

    October 13, 2022 at 7:20 am

    5 stars
    I love how quick and easy this is to get my salsa fix!!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 13, 2022 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you for your kind comments, Jess!

      Reply
  3. Gloria says

    October 13, 2022 at 7:51 am

    5 stars
    Homemade salsa is the best. No preservatives, and you can make it as spicy as you like.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 13, 2022 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you for your kind review, Gloria!

      Reply
  4. Toni says

    October 13, 2022 at 7:59 am

    5 stars
    I love that this doesn't require chopping!! So easy! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      October 13, 2022 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you for your kind review, Toni!

      Reply
  5. Austyn says

    January 02, 2025 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely awesome!!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      January 02, 2025 at 11:34 pm

      I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Austyn!

      Reply
  6. Aimee says

    January 26, 2025 at 7:23 pm

    5 stars
    I made this today and it is PERFECT! It is so tasty that I had to stop myself from eating the whole batch. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      January 27, 2025 at 1:17 am

      I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Aimee! Thank you for your kind review.

      Reply
Janessa

Hi, I'm Janessa and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients, are quick and easy and most importantly, delicious!

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