Can I make this salsa without a blender?
Yes. Finely dice the tomatoes, onion, and cilantro by hand, then mix with minced garlic and lemon juice. The texture will be chunkier rather than smooth.
How long does homemade salsa last in the fridge?
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld, though it's best consumed fresh.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, use 1 to 1.5 cups of fresh diced tomatoes, but drain excess liquid. Fresh tomatoes will result in a wetter salsa unless you seed them first.
Is this salsa spicy?
The heat level depends on the green chiles in the canned tomatoes. For more heat, add fresh jalapeños; for less, use plain canned diced tomatoes.
Can I scale this recipe up?
Yes, double or triple the ingredients and blend in batches if needed. Keep the blending time short to avoid over-processing.