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Home » side dishes

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Modified: Jul 9, 2024 by Lesley · Published: Jun 2, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

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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.

Easy no cook fresh tomato salsa in a yellow bowl with guacamole and chicken to the back perfect for a taco night.

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.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Why you will love this recipe
  • Recipe ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make fresh tomato salsa
  • Serving suggestion
  • FAQs
  • Pin the recipe
  • Additional recipe suggestions
  • Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Why you will love this recipe

  • The perfect balance of flavours, sweet tomatoes, fresh basil and sour lime juice, with just a little salt to enhance the sweet tomatoes.
  • Quick to prepare and ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes.
  • Adds to burst of freshness to any main dish it's added to.
  • Easily doubled up to feed a larger ground of diners.

Recipe ingredients and substitutions

  • Tomatoes - I used 5 large vine tomatoes, but you could use any variety of tomato here, plum tomatoes, san marzano (baby plum), or cherry tomatoes.
  • Onion - I used spring onions (green onions) as they have a great mild onion flavour. Red onion or shallot would be a good swap.
  • Fresh herbs - I like to add freshly chopped coriander leaf (cilantro), but you could add in any other fresh herbs like basil, tarragon or parsley.
  • Citrus - I add lime juice but lemon juice can also work in a salsa.
  • Sugar - a little caster sugar is added to balance out the acidity in the tomatoes and sourness from the lime juice.
  • Seasoning - I keep the seasoning simple with sea salt and black pepper.

How to make fresh tomato salsa

adding fresh squeezed lime juice to the chopped tomatoes for the fresh tomato salsa.
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and add lime juice
Mixing the fresh chopped tomatoes, spring onions and herbs in a bowl to finish off the tomato salsa.
Stir the salsa to combine, ready to serve.
All the makings of a chicken taco party, fresh tomato salsa, cooked chicken, guacamole and lime decorated drinks.

Serving suggestion

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, like my Easy Chicken Tacos, or your favourite fajitas or burritos.

As a family we really enjoy it alongside grilled meat, particularly chicken or beef steak. However it also works alongside my Slow Cooked Chunky Beef Chilli or my Bean Chilli. It's tomato base makes it a great pairing for cheese and also Re-fried Beans.

Fresh tomato salsa in a yellow bowl from above with chicken tacos on a large blue platter to the side and a bowl of fresh guacamole to the bottom all against a dark wooden backdrop.

FAQs

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.

Can I add chilli to tomato 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!

Can tomato salsa be made 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.

Pin the recipe

Simple and easy no cook fresh tomato salsa is the perfect side dish and addition to any taco party. Serve with marinated chicken thighs cooked under the grill and server with warm wraps and feed the family. Also great on its own with tortilla chips!

Additional recipe suggestions

Some other fresh and vibrant recipes to try:

  • Corn Salsa
  • Easy Bean Salad
  • Easy Guacamole
  • Re-fried Beans
  • Tomato Basil Bruschetta with Whipped Crème Fraiche
  • Tomato Bruschetta with Tarragon

Love salad? Then head to our Best Salad Recipes post where you will find links to all our favourite salads in one place.

Easy no cook fresh tomato salsa in a yellow bowl with guacamole and chicken to the back perfect for a taco night.

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.
4.88 from 8 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes 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 teaspoon 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
Tried this recipe? We'd love to see your photos!Mention @lostinf00d or tag #lostinfood!
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Comments

  1. louise Gunstone says

    June 30, 2020 at 8:41 am

    5 stars
    I love tomato salsa! We've been trying out a few Mexican recipes lately so this is one to add alongside 🙂

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      June 30, 2020 at 10:04 am

      Thank you Louise, like you I love tomato salsa and this is one I make regularly as the kids love it too. Lesley x

      Reply
  2. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says

    June 23, 2020 at 8:29 am

    5 stars
    Yes please! I am a huge fan of fresh tomato salsa... a big favourite in the Gargano household 😀 Eb x

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      June 23, 2020 at 11:11 am

      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

      Reply
  3. Chloe Edges | Feast Glorious Feast says

    June 22, 2020 at 10:04 am

    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

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      June 23, 2020 at 11:07 am

      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

      Reply
    • Lesley says

      June 23, 2020 at 11:10 am

      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

      Reply
  4. Jenny Walters says

    June 19, 2020 at 8:34 pm

    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 !

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      June 23, 2020 at 11:06 am

      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

      Reply
    • Lesley says

      June 23, 2020 at 11:08 am

      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

      Reply
  5. Kat (The Baking Explorer) says

    June 19, 2020 at 7:54 am

    5 stars
    This is making me crave fajitas!

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      June 23, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Thank you Kat, there are just some foods that trigger ideas of others - and tomato salsa makes my think fajitas also! Lesley

      Reply
  6. Melissa Altman-Traub says

    June 18, 2020 at 10:45 am

    This looks easy and tasty. I'm not familiar with caster sugar: is it like granulated?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      August 12, 2020 at 11:05 am

      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

      Reply
  7. Cat | Curly's Cooking says

    June 05, 2020 at 2:45 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Lesley says

      June 08, 2020 at 11:03 am

      Thank you Cat, I probably make this simple salsa as a side dish more than any other, it goes with everything! Lesley x

      Reply

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Recipe Rating




4.88 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Hi, I’m Lesley.

I’m the blogger, cook and creator behind Lost in Food.

More about me

Read Lost in Food’s interview with Society Aberdeen

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