Bursting with fresh vibrant flavors, this authentic Salsa Verde is made with roasted tomatillos, jalapeño, and zesty lime juice. It makes the perfect healthy, homemade snack that's so much better than store bought.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Salsa Verde Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Salsa Verde
• 🔪 How to Make Salsa Verde
• 💡 Tips for Making Salsa Verde
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 Ways to Use Salsa Verde
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• What is a Substitute for Tomatillos in Salsa Verde?
• Are Tomatillos Good for You?
• Do I Have to Roast the Tomatillos?
• Why Does My Salsa Verde Taste Sour?
• 🍽️ More Healthy Dip Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Salsa Verde Recipe

• Fresh, vibrant flavors
• Roasted tomatillos and jalapeño pepper adds extra flavor
• Fresh lime juice adds brightness
• Easy-to-make healthy appetizer or snack
• Serve with tortilla chips or use to add flavor to so many meals
• Keto-friendly, Vegan and Dairy-free

The key ingredients in this recipe are freshly roasted tomatillos. If you've never cooked with them, they look like little green tomatoes wrapped in their own papery husk. Though they're a cousin to tomatoes, they have their own tart, tangy, and slightly citrusy flavor profile.

Once roasted, they take on a beautiful, smoky, sweet, and rich flavor that creates the most amazing salsa verde. Combined with onion, jalapeno, garlic, and zesty lime juice, you get an incredibly flavorful dip or sauce you can whip together in 30 minutes. Make sure to read on for some great tips on how to use it.

Once you see how easy it is to make your own tomatillo salsa with wholesome ingredients, you'll never buy the store-bought version again. If you love this dip, you may also love this easy and healthy Homemade Salsa or this Cowboy Caviar.

🛒 Ingredients for Salsa Verde

• Tomatillos
• Onion
• Jalapeño pepper
• Cilantro
• Lime
• Garlic
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Baking sheet
• Food processor

🔪 How to Make Salsa Verde

Preheat the oven to 450°F.  

Wash, dry, and cut your tomatillos.  Cut the small ones in half and any large ones into 6 wedges so that they are all about the same size.

Slice the jalapeño pepper in half lengthwise, and add half to a baking sheet along with the tomatillos.

Bake for 20 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.

Chop the remaining half of the jalapeño pepper and onion, then add them to the bowl of a food processor.

Add in the salt, ground black pepper, cilantro, lime juice, roasted tomatillo, and jalapeño pepper.  Be sure to add the juices from the baking sheet as well.

Pulse for a few minutes or until well combined.  You want the mixture to be pureed, but also a little chunky.

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or add to a number of dishes.  Read below for some great ideas.

💡 Tips for Making Salsa Verde

• Look for tomatillos that are firm and unblemished. The husks should be tight-fitting and intact, with no signs of mold or mildew. Choose ones that have a vibrant green color, because this indicates freshness. Avoid tomatillos that appear yellowish or have dark patches.

• You can also control just how roasted you want the tomatillos, just know that the flavors begin to change depending on how long they roast. For the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavor, the time suggested in this recipe works best.

• Blend the salsa to your desired consistency. Some people prefer a smooth salsa verde, while others like it chunky. You can pulse it briefly for a chunkier texture or blend it longer for a smoother finish.

• Taste-test it as you go. This is a versatile recipe that allows you to easily adjust the flavors. You may need to add more lime juice for acidity, salt for seasoning, or a touch of sweetener to balance the tartness of the tomatillos.

☑️ Storage Instructions

You can store this salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

You can also freeze it. Place the cooled salsa in freezer-safe containers or ziploc bags, leaving a little room at the top. Squeeze out any excess air from the bags before sealing. Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen salsa verde can be stored for up to 3 months.

🍴 Ways to Use Salsa Verde

• Tacos: Use salsa verde as a topping for tacos. Whether they're filled with grilled chicken, fish, shrimp, carnitas, or roasted vegetables, this sauce adds a wonderful burst of freshness.

• Enchiladas: Pour salsa verde over enchiladas before baking them for a zesty twist on traditional red sauce. It pairs well with beef, chicken, cheese, or seafood enchiladas.

• Grilled meats: Use salsa verde as a marinade or finishing sauce for grilled meats such as chicken, steak, pork chops, or fish. Brush it on during grilling or serve it on the side for dipping.

• Eggs: Spoon salsa verde over scrambled eggs, omelets, or huevos rancheros for a flavorful breakfast.

• Grain bowls: Drizzle salsa verde over grain bowls or salads for a vibrant dressing. It pairs well with grains like quinoa or rice, along with roasted vegetables, beans, avocado, and protein of your choice.

• Soups and stews: Stir salsa verde into soups and stews for added depth of flavor. It works well in Mexican-inspired soups like this Southwest Chicken Soup and Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup. 

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Creamy salsa verde: Mix salsa verde into sour cream or Greek yogurt to create a flavorful dip or spread for fresh vegetables, homemade tortilla chips, or crackers.

• Variety of peppers: Experiment with different types of peppers to adjust the heat level of the salsa. You can try adding serrano peppers for extra spiciness or poblano peppers for a milder taste.

• Roasted garlic: Instead of using raw garlic, you can use Air Fryer Roasted Garlic cloves along with the tomatillos and onions for a mellower garlic flavor

• Additional herbs: Add other fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or oregano to complement the cilantro.

• Avocado: For a creamy texture, blend in ripe avocado with the other ingredients. This will also mellow out some of the heat if it’s too spicy for you.

• Tomatoes: Mix in some sun-dried tomatoes, diced fresh tomatoes, or roasted cherry tomatoes to add a little natural sweetness.

• Spices: Enhance the flavor of the salsa with spices like cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika. Just a pinch can add a lot of flavors without overpowering the other ingredients.

• Vinegar: If you prefer a tangier salsa, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar to brighten up the flavors.

What is a Substitute for Tomatillos in Salsa Verde?

If you can't find tomatillos, you can use green tomatoes. The texture is different with green tomatoes, and they will not require roasting for quite as long as tomatillos, but they'll work in a pinch.

Are Tomatillos Good for You?

They sure are. Tomatillos are rich lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as being a good source of copper, zinc, beta-carotene, and vitamins E and C.

Do I Have to Roast the Tomatillos?

While roasting the ingredients adds depth of flavor, you can also make salsa verde by boiling the tomatillos until softened before blending.

Why Does My Salsa Verde Taste Sour?

If you roast the tomatillos before blending them, your salsa should not taste bitter. If that's the case, all is not lost. Just add a little sugar or a pinch of sugar-free sweetener.

🍽️ More Healthy Dip Recipes

• Whipped Feta Dip
• Pizza Dip
• Roasted Garlic Hummus
• Cowboy Caviar
• Roasted Beet Root Hummus
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus