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For the fresh flavor of smooth salsa made with tomatoes, onion, lime, cilantro, and garlic made in your kitchen, you’ve just got to try this Restaurant Style Salsa recipe. No need to go out to dinner when you can enjoy dunking your favorite Mexican restaurant chips in this better-than-a-restaurant copycat Chili’s Salsa.
And here is the best news– Restaurant Style Salsa can be enjoyed all year long using canned tomatoes. Serve it this Cinco de Mayo, or while watching the Superbowl, a great Netflix movie, or really, anytime you are craving your favorite chips and dip.
How do you like your salsa? Chunky salsa and Pico de Gallo are so good. But I love mild salsa with fresh ingredients and some salty tortilla chips to scoop it up with.
Then if the Best Homemade Salsa recipe gets ya craving more great Mexican restaurant dishes made at home, try my easy recipe for Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken. Pair that dish with some Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice and a hearty helping of Mexican Fruit Salad, and you are on the verge of Mexican genius meal planning!
And don’t worry, I have plenty more fiesta recipes listed below in my Other Homemade Mexican Recipes section at the bottom of this post.
Why We Love This Copycat Chili’s Salsa Recipe!
- Family time: Staying home creates memories to last a lifetime. Now you can stay home and have chips and dip!
- Chips and Dip: Need I say more? Everyone loves a big bowl of chips and salsa—it’s another crowd-pleasing appetizer to add to your recipe box.
Ingredients
Variations and Substitutions
How To Make Blender Salsa
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Gather Ingredients
Open your can of tomatoes and drain them a bit. Then chop your tomatoes, onion, and cilantro for the blender. Then get your lime and squeeze the juice out, removing any seeds that fall.
Step 2 | Into the Blender
As if it could get any easier, put those chopped ingredients into the food processor or blender bowl, and pour in the freshly squeezed lime juice.
Measure in the sugar, cumin, and salt—and PULSE! When all the ingredients are combined, it is ready for the refrigerator. Chill for a couple of hours and serve!
Tips
- Plain Tomatoes: Use plain, unflavored canned tomatoes so you can add the flavors you want to the recipe.
- Prep Ingredients: When you get all the ingredients chopped for the blender, the process goes so much faster.
- Fresh Mexican Flavors: Use fresh cilantro and freshly squeezed lime juice for the most authentic full flavor.
Recipe FAQ’s
Wish I could answer yes, but the truth is, it does not have enough flavor. Use the fresh stuff this time.
Sure, you can. You are welcome to use fresh Roma tomatoes or plum tomatoes if you would like. Just wash and core the tomatoes, then remove the seeds. Chop the tomatoes and add to the blender.
This copycat chili serves 4 cups or 8 people—depending on how heavily they scoop, of course! Having a big party? Make up a second batch in no time.
What to Serve with Mexican Restaurant Salsa Recipe
There is no shortage of great chip and dip recipes out there. Here are some of my favorites to add to the dipping buffet of salty goodness.
- Easy Restaurant-Style Refried Beans
- Instant Pot Cheese Fondue
- Mexican 7-layer Dip
- Skillet Beef Queso Dip
- Homemade Guacamole
Storage
Storage: Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Freeze: More good news—you can freeze blender salsa if it is made with canned tomatoes! Thaw and enjoy.
Other Recipes
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Restaurant Style Salsa
Ingredients
- 14.5 ounce can whole tomatoes and juice
- 10 ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles (like Ro-tel)
- 2 Roma tomotoes
- ¼ cup roughly chopped white or yellow onion, (about ½ of a small onion)
- ½ cup cilantro leaves, (or to taste)
- ½ to 1 jalapeño, seeded and deveined (you could also used canned (not pickled) for a milder taste)
- 3 cloves garlic, cut in half
- 1 ½ fresh limes juiced, (about 2 tablespoons – or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar, (optional-check your canned tomatoes to see if they have added sugar first)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender; and blend until combined and desired consistency.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
My new favorite salsa recipe! So fresh and tasty! Making another batch to freeze tonight!
I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make this tasty salsa. I served it for a Super Bowl party with restaurant-style tortilla chips and it disappeared so fast!
I’ve never made my own salsa, but this recipe made it so easy and fun. And DELICIOUS!
This salsa is every bit as good as my favorite one from Chili’s!
Noshed on this along with your guacamole yesterday. SO so good! Easy too!
Loved this recipe so much! Quick, easy and delicious with the perfect amount of kick! Easily, a new favorite salsa recipe!
Loved this salsa and it was ideal for Taco Tuesday. I added a little more cumin and cilantro because I just adore those flavors!
This is the best salsa that I’ve had in a long time and I love chips and salsa. Thank you!
The salsa in restaurants is so addictive! 🙂 I can’t wait to try this recipe at home.
This salsa came out perfect the very first time! Did not need to add any extra seasoning! The whole family loved it!