Garden Salsa Recipe

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Nothing spells summer quite like a good ol’ backyard barbecue. And what’s a barbecue without some delicious sides? If you’re looking for a way to spice things up this season, why not try our homemade summer Garden Salsa? 

It’s the perfect accompaniment to any grilled dish and truly captures the flavors of summer. Plus, making your own salsa is not only fun but also healthier and more economical than buying it pre-made. So, grab your fresh garden ingredients, and let’s get started on the ultimate garden salsa recipe.

It’s a delicious way to embrace a no-fuss lifestyle—your very own guide to simple living!

Get ready for a classic tomato salsa with plenty of room to make it your own. It’s loaded with that fresh tomato goodness and just enough heat to keep things exciting. The best part? You’re the boss of the spice level.

Keep it mild by skipping the pepper sauce, or turn up the heat by leaving in those pepper seeds and adding an extra splash of hot sauce. It’s your salsa—make it exactly how you love it!

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Summer Garden Salsa?

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this fresh and flavorful salsa:

• Tomatoes – The star of the show. Go for ripe, juicy ones for the best flavor.
• Bell Peppers – Add a sweet crunch to balance the heat.
• Onions – For that sharp, savory kick.
• Peppers of choice – Jalapeños, serranos, or whatever brings the heat you love.
• Cider Vinegar – A tangy touch to brighten up the flavors.
• Garlic – Because everything’s better with garlic, right?
• Cilantro – Fresh and herby, it’s a must for that authentic salsa vibe.
• Salt – To bring all the flavors together.
• Hot Pepper Sauce – A little (or a lot) for an extra fiery finish.

Salsa Recipe Essentials from Amazon:

Use these tools to help make the process quicker and easier to do.

• Vegetable Chopper – Keeps your dice nice and uniform, which is super helpful for even cooking.
• Gloves – A must-have to protect your hands from those spicy pepper juices.
• Stainless Steel Stockpot – It might be a bit of an investment, but it’s ideal for cooking up large, flavorful batches of salsa.

Bartnelli Vegetable Chopper Food Slicer Pro | 15 Pc MultiFuctional Kitchen Gadgets for Onion, Veggie, Cheese Grater, Vegetables Cutter With Large Container, Easy to Clean, With Bonus Brush and ForkPEIPU Nitrile Gloves,Disposable Cleaning Gloves,(Medium, 100-Count) Powder Free, Latex Free,Rubber Free,Ultra-Strong,Food Handling Use, Single Use Non-Sterile Protective GlovesAmazon Basics Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, 8 Quart, Even Heating, Easy to Clean, Silver

 

How to Make Salsa

Making your own salsa is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you’ll go from fresh garden ingredients to a jar of flavorful, homemade goodness.

Prep Your Tomatoes

First things first, you’ll need to remove the skins from your tomatoes before chopping. Don’t worry—it’s super simple! Here’s how:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and set up a dish of ice water nearby.
2. Drop a few tomatoes into the boiling water and let them cook for a couple of minutes, or until you see the skins start to crack.
3. Quickly transfer the tomatoes to the ice bath to cool.
4. Once they’re cool, use your hands to peel off the skins—it’s that easy!
   Now your tomatoes are ready to chop.

Chop All Ingredients

Next, chop up all your ingredients. Try to keep the pieces uniform so everything cooks evenly. If you want to save time (and your hands), a vegetable chopper can make this step a breeze.

Cook Everything Together

Grab a large stainless steel pot and combine all your chopped ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently, stirring often. Cook until the salsa thickens up—this usually takes about 10 minutes.

Adjust the Heat

Here’s where you can customize your salsa’s spice level:

• For mild salsa, stick to sweet bell peppers or jalapeños with the seeds removed.
• For medium heat, leave the jalapeño seeds in or toss in some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
• For a fiery kick, go bold with habanero peppers.

Pro tip: Start with less heat and add more as you go—you can always make it spicier, but you can’t take the heat out.

Get Ready for Canning

Once your salsa is cooked to perfection, it’s time to can it:

1. Ladle the hot salsa into hot jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
2. Remove any air bubbles and adjust the headspace by adding more salsa if needed.
3. Place the jars in your canner and process for 15 minutes.
4. Carefully remove the jars and let them cool on a towel for 4-6 hours.

Once cooled, label your jars and store them. Now you’ve got homemade salsa ready to enjoy all summer long.

You can get our complete instructions on how to can salsa here. One of my favorite homesteading tips is preserving and freezing the food you worked so hard to grow in your summer garden.

Tips & Tricks for Making Summer Garden Salsa

Start with the Freshest Ingredients
The secret to amazing salsa? Fresh ingredients—ideally straight from your garden! Tomatoes, onions, and peppers are the must-haves for a classic salsa, but don’t be afraid to get creative with whatever produce you’ve got on hand.

Prep Your Ingredients Properly
Take the time to peel your tomatoes, remove seeds from your peppers (if you want less heat), and chop everything evenly. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking and a better texture.

Balance the Flavors
Great salsa is all about balance. Combine sweet, tangy, spicy, and salty flavors for the perfect bite. If it tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. If it’s too bland, a squeeze of lime juice or a little extra salt can work wonders.

Customize the Heat
Adjust the spice level to your liking. Remove seeds for a milder salsa or leave them in for extra heat. You can also experiment with different peppers, like jalapeños, serranos, or even habaneros for a fiery kick.

Let It Rest
Once your salsa is cooked, let it sit for a bit before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together, making it even more delicious.

Use the Right Tools
A vegetable chopper can save you time, and a stainless steel stockpot is perfect for cooking large batches. Gloves are also a must if you’re handling spicy peppers!

Taste as You Go
Always taste your salsa as you’re making it. This way, you can adjust the seasoning, spice, or acidity to get it just right.

Experiment with Add-Ins
Don’t be afraid to mix things up! Add-ins like roasted corn, black beans, pineapple, or mango can take your salsa to the next level.

Did you know you can grow everything you need for salsa? Check out our guide on how to Grow a Salsa Garden!

Variations to Summer Garden Salsa

Pico de Gallo
Looking for something fresh and chunky? Pico de gallo is a great option! While recipes can vary, most include staples like tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, onion, salt, and serrano peppers.

Unlike traditional salsas, pico de gallo has very little liquid, making it perfect as a topping or even as a standalone salad. It’s a refreshing burst of tomato goodness you’ll want to try.

Salsa Verde
Ever wondered what makes salsa verde so green? It’s all thanks to tomatillos, which replace the usual tomatoes. Combined with onion, cilantro, lime juice, and peppers, this salsa has a bright, tangy flavor that’s hard to resist.

Once cooked and blended, salsa verde is perfect for chilling and adding a zesty kick to tacos, enchiladas, or even grilled meats.

Salsa Taqueria
If you’re craving something smooth and spicy, salsa taqueria is the way to go. Unlike chunky pico de gallo, this salsa is cooked and blended to a silky texture, with a fiery kick from hotter peppers like arbol chiles.

Made with tomatoes, chiles, onion, lime juice, garlic, and salt, it’s the ultimate taco topper. Just a little drizzle packs a punch, so use it sparingly—unless you’re a heat lover.

Unique Salsa Recipes:

• Smoked Salsa {Without A Smoker}
• Simple Peach Salsa Recipe
• Easy Recipe For Pineapple Salsa

There’s nothing quite like a fresh, homemade summer garden salsa to liven up any backyard barbecue. With a little prepping and chopping, you can create a healthy, flavorful side dish that captures the essence of summer. 

Remember to use the freshest ingredients from your garden and adjust the heat to your liking. And don’t forget to let the flavors marinate and meld for the perfect salsa. 

So, fire up that grill and get ready for a delicious summer feast!

More Food Reads:

• How to Freeze Strawberries
• How to Dry Fresh Herbs
• How to Freeze Peppers