Quick Homemade Salsa

Name: Quick Homemade Salsa with Canned Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 (7.75 oz) cans hot tomato sauce; 1/2 small white onion, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jalapeño, finely diced; 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped; 1 lime, juiced; salt, to taste

This quick homemade salsa combines canned hot tomato sauce with fresh onion, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice to deliver restaurant-quality flavor in minutes with minimal effort.

🌍Mexican 🏷️Salsa 🏷️Homemade salsa 🏷️Quick salsa 🏷️Canned tomato Jalapeno

🏷️

🏷️Cilantro

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TikTok

Total

10 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$16–$26

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 (7.75 oz) cans hot tomato sauce
1/2 small white onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juiced
salt, to taste

7 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Pour the hot tomato sauce into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2
Add the finely diced white onion, minced garlic, finely diced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro to the bowl.
3
Squeeze the juice of one lime into the bowl.
4
Season with salt to your preference.
5
Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
6
Serve immediately with your favorite chips.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Finely dice the onion and jalapeño for even distribution and a consistent texture throughout the salsa.
Mince garlic finely and add it just before serving to preserve its sharp, fresh bite rather than mellowing it out.
Taste and adjust salt and lime juice at the end; the canned tomato sauce already contains salt, so go easy at first.
Let the salsa sit for 10-15 minutes after combining to allow the flavors to meld together.

Substitutions

Fresh diced tomatoes (2 cups) → canned diced tomatoes (1 15-oz can) plus 1/2 teaspoon cumin (note: results in a chunkier texture)
Jalapeño → serrano pepper or habanero (note: significantly spicier)
Cilantro → parsley (note: milder, less distinctive herb flavor)
Lime juice → fresh lemon juice or white vinegar (note: slightly different acidity profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; flavors are best within the first 2 days.

Common Questions

Can I make this salsa ahead of time?

Yes, prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld and intensify over time.

How spicy is this salsa?

The heat level depends on the jalapeño. Remove seeds and membranes for milder salsa, or leave them in for more spice. The hot tomato sauce adds base heat as well.

What can I use instead of canned hot tomato sauce?

Use regular canned tomato sauce (15 oz) plus 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or substitute fresh tomatoes (2 cups diced) if you prefer a chunkier texture.