Fresh 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 fresh tomato salsa recipe?
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!
How to make fresh tomato salsa – recipe steps:
Can you prepare fresh tomato salsa 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 easy 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
- Easy Guacamole
- Tomatillo Sauce
- Chicken Tacos
- Re-fried Beans
- Smoked Chilli Beef
- Bavette Steak
Love salad? Then head to our Best Salad Recipes post where you will find links to all our favourite salads in one place.
Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa
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
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
This recipe has been linked up to CookBlogShare, click on the link to find recipes by fellow food bloggers.
louise Gunstone
I love tomato salsa! We’ve been trying out a few Mexican recipes lately so this is one to add alongside 🙂
Lesley
Thank you Louise, like you I love tomato salsa and this is one I make regularly as the kids love it too. Lesley x
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Yes please! I am a huge fan of fresh tomato salsa… a big favourite in the Gargano household 😀 Eb x
Lesley
Thank you Eb, in our house too! I make this particular salsa a lot! Tomatoes last no time in my house, as soon as I put them out on the counter the kids are eating them – not that I’m complaining, as it’s better than too much sweets! Lesley x
Chloe Edges | Feast Glorious Feast
I am a massive fan of this kind of fresh salsa and there are definitely loads of uses. I’d highly recommended stuffing sole fillets with it and baking very lightly. Absolutely delicious
Michelle
Tomatoes are life! I just wish my would ripen – I’ll be happy if I even get a handful to eat straight from the vine for attempt number one at growing them! Love the idea in some sole – must try this with my Isle of Wight tomatoes! Cheers, Michelle x
Lesley
Me too Chloe, it’s a regular on my dinner table. Thank you for that great suggestion, that would really work! In fact I’m now thinking that I have fish in the fridge for dinner this week and that’s exactly what I’m going to do with it! Lesley
Jenny Walters
I actually made this last week just for me because I’m the only tomato fan in my house….sad face. It was fabulous and packed full of fabulous flavour. So many times sides maketh the meal. I loved it. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare !
Michelle
Glad to hear Jenny – I love this salsa as I am a huge fan of tomatoes, so are the rest of my family so its always a large portion made! Cheers, Michelle
Lesley
Thank you Jenny, it’s such an easy dish and full of flavour. I can’t believe nobody else likes tomatoes in your house, so nice for you to make this just to treat yourself. I love tomatoes, they’re in my top 5 favourite things to eat. I have the exact opposite problem in my house, as soon as I put tomatoes out on the counter, they’re gone – my kids eat them like sweets! Which is great until you go to cook something with them. Lesley x
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
This is making me crave fajitas!
Lesley
Thank you Kat, there are just some foods that trigger ideas of others – and tomato salsa makes my think fajitas also! Lesley
Melissa Altman-Traub
This looks easy and tasty. I’m not familiar with caster sugar: is it like granulated?
Michelle
Hi Melissa, sorry your comment got mistakenly put into our spam folder! Caster sugar is quite fine, if I recall correctly you are in the US, so its slightly finer than granulated sugar but not as powdered as an icing sugar. It just to give a slight sweetness and enhance the tomatoes. But if your tomatoes are lovely and rip then you could also leave out. Cheers, Michelle
Cat | Curly's Cooking
This looks so fresh and delicious. You can’t beat a good salsa in the summer and you could eat this with so many delicious meals.
Lesley
Thank you Cat, I probably make this simple salsa as a side dish more than any other, it goes with everything! Lesley x