When all you have access to is something along the lines of Pace salsa, or worse, the colorless, sulfated “fresh” salsa, this homemade salsa your new hero! And even now that we are back in the land of the best Mexican food this side of the border, this is still my go-to. I promise, even making it with canned tomatoes, it’s way better than trying to make it with bland, out of season tomatoes.

The first time Charlie made this homemade salsa, we were in Okinawa and in the throws of culture shock. We were desperately missing our creature-comforts from home. Good Mexican food was at the top of that list. I can’t tell you the joy it brought me when I realized we could have salsa this refreshing again! When I realized he made it from canned tomatoes, I was so shocked.
I completely expected canned tomato-made salsa to taste like canned salsa, but it doesn’t! However, if tomatoes are in season where you are, by all means, use them!
This recipe uses a mix of canned and fresh tomatoes, but there is flexibility to use all or none of either one. In the pictures, the craving for homemade salsa struck me when all I had at home was canned tomatoes, but I had everything else I would need, so I made some and decided to share it with you all!

When tomatoes in the store are so ghastly pale, I WILL NOT buy them. No matter how much my brain tries to convince me that they will be satisfying reminder of summer… I’ve learned not to fall for those tricks anymore! Plus, when we’re using ingredients like lime, cilantro, and garlic, it’s going to be the burst of freshness needed for the flavorful tomatoes.

Start with pouring about 1/4 of a can of tomatoes in the food processor. Add the garlic, lime, avocado oil and jalapeños and let it run until everything is finely minced. Next, add 1/4 of a small onion in chunks. We are cilantro lovers here, so the entire bunch goes in for us. Before you start pulsing, add the rest of the canned tomatoes and one large tomato. If you don’t have any fresh tomatoes, use two 15oz cans or on 28oz can.

Pulse until everything is to the chunk-level you prefer. Charlie loves big chunks, my kids love it minced. He loves chunky hummus, we love it smooth. Same with guacamole! Keep your audience in mind!

Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment or tagging me on instagram @ournomadichomestead.
How To Make Delicious Homemade Salsa
Homemade Salsa

Ingredients
- 2 15oz cans of tomatoes OR 1 15oz can and one large fresh tomato OR 3 large fresh tomatoes
- 2 seeded and de-veined jalapeños
- 1 lime
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 TBS avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 onion
- 1 bunch of cilantro
Instructions
- Put 1/4 of the tomatoes you’re using into a food processor.
- Add jalapeños, lime, garlic, oil, salt, and oregano.
- Let run in food processor until pretty much liquified.
- Add the rest of the tomatoes, onion and cilantro to the food processor. Big chunks are fine.
- Pulse until desired consistency.

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