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Easy Homemade Jalapeño Salsa Recipe

Easy Homemade Jalapeño Salsa

A smooth green jalapeño salsa made by simmering fresh peppers, garlic, and onion before blending them with cilantro, lime, salt, and reserved cooking water. It makes about 1 1/2 cups and can be served warm or briefly chilled.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 1 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 peppers Fresh jalapeños, stems removed
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/4 medium onion White onion, roughly chopped
Fresh Flavor
  • 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh lime juice
Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more to taste Kosher salt
Blending Liquid
  • 1/2 cup, or enough to process Water

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Remove the stems from the jalapeños. For a milder salsa, cut the peppers open and remove some or all of the seeds and pale membranes.
  2. Place the jalapeños, garlic, and roughly chopped onion in a saucepan. Cover the vegetables with water and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the peppers are softened but still bright green.
  3. Drain the vegetables, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender with the cilantro, lime juice, kosher salt, and 1/4 cup of the reserved water.
  4. Blend until smooth. Add more reserved cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time until the salsa reaches your preferred consistency, then taste and adjust the salt and lime juice.
  5. Serve warm or chill briefly. For the fullest flavor, let the salsa rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Reserve the cooking water because it helps the blender process the vegetables while preserving the salsa's flavor. Jalapeño heat varies, so adjust the seeds and membranes according to your preference. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container and use them promptly for the freshest flavor.