tomato salsa

Tomato salsa is really quick to prepare. Combining sweet tomatoes with sharp lime and fresh herbs, it makes a delicious side dish or dip.

Fresh tomato salsa is a delicious side that is easy to prepare on the table in matter of minutes. The salsa combines tomatoes with fresh lime, spring onion and chopped coriander. A pinch of sugar brings out the sweetness in the tomatoes, but leave out if you’d prefer.

This quick and simple side works great as part of a larger Mexican dinner. It partners guacamole and sour cream really well.

However, don’t be limited by thinking it can only be served with spicy Mexican food as that simply is not the case. I also enjoy eating it alongside a simple grilled steak.

In fact if I cook steak my youngest daughter requests two things, chimichurri sauce and tomato salsa. The acid in both these dishes, cuts through the meat to perfection. Of course as a parent I won’t complain about her delight is eating so much fresh fruit and vegetables.

Can I add chilli to this salsa?

This is one of those dishes that I enjoy without chillies, as I think it showcases the sweetness of the tomatoes. However, feel free to add as much or as little chilli to the salsa as you wish. I’d recommend one or two de-seeded red chillies, enough to prove a bit of heat but not to overpower the sweet tomatoes.

However, if serving to friends and family, when I’m unsure of people’s preferences to chilli, I always leave it out. Instead I place a bottle of tabasco sauce on the table. That way diners can add as much or as little chilli heat to the salsa on their plate. Everyone’s happy!

Recipe steps:

Can you prepare ahead of time?

Tomato salsa can be made up a few hours in advance of serving. Just cover the bowl and pop into the fridge until you are ready to eat. It will keep for leftovers the following day, however it will appear a lot more liquid, as the juice will leach out of the tomatoes.

What can I serve tomato salsa with?

Many people see tomato salsa as something to serve alongside a bowl of tortilla chips. However, the list of things to serve with tomato salsa is endless.

This salsa is a really versatile side dish and as such, can be used in a variety of ways. It is delicious with spiced food, particularly Mexican style food, such as fajitas or burritos.

As a family we really enjoy it alongside grilled meat, particularly chicken or beef steak. However it also works alongside a smoky beef or bean chilli. It’s tomato base makes it a great pairing for cheese and also re-fried beans.

Imagine these 3 ingredients sandwiched between two flour tortillas, it makes a fabulous quesadilla. A truly scrumptious lunch. It’s also perfect as filling for a simple baked potato, paired with some sour cream.

Can I substitute fresh tomatoes with canned?

Canned or tinned tomatoes can be used in this salsa recipe. If using canned tomatoes try and drain off most of the liquid first, otherwise you will have something closer to a soup than a salsa.

However, the best flavour does come from using fresh, ripe tomatoes. I like to use vine ripened tomatoes, as they are the sweetest. If you can get your hands on a variety of different coloured tomatoes then use those, they look beautiful in this dish.

But like all good recipes, make it your own! Use the ingredients you have to hand and that you enjoy eating!

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Additional recipe suggestions:

This recipe works really well with Easy Bean Salad, our Easy Guacamole and our Tomatillo Sauce. All great accompaniments to our Chicken Tacos, our Re-fried Beans, our Smoked Chilli Beef or alongside our Bavette Steak.

Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa

Easy, fresh tomato salsa is something that is really quick to prepare. Combining sweet tomatoes with sharp lime and fresh herbs, it makes a delicious side.

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 0 mins

Total Time: 15 mins

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 34kcal

Author: Lesley Garden

Ingredients

• ▢ 5 large vine tomatoes (chopped)
• ▢ 2 spring onions (chopped finely)
• ▢ 1 handful of coriander leaf (chopped finely)
• ▢ 1 juice of lime
• ▢ ½ tsp caster sugar
• ▢ salt & pepper

Instructions

• Prepare and place all the ingredients into a glass bowl and stir well to combine.
• Cover the bowl and place in a fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

This tomato salsa is beautifully simple and really allows the sweet tomatoes to shine. However, if you want to add some chilli heat to this salsa, simply de-seed and chop one or two red finger chillies and add them to the salsa. Alternatively, if you have a mix of diners, place a bottle of tabasco sauce on the table, that way everyone can add chilli heat to their own taste.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa

Amount Per Serving

Calories 34 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 9mg0%

Potassium 381mg11%

Carbohydrates 8g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 1374IU27%

Vitamin C 24mg29%

Calcium 20mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •

Course : Canape, Starter, Side, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine : Mexican

Keyword : Easy, Quick, Simple

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