Easy Salsa Recipe: Zippy Salsa

Last updated on May 14th, 2023 at 12:12 pm

I buy a lot of store-bought salsa and one of my favorites comes from the amazing company I work for, Tastefully Simple — their Corn Black Bean Salsa is dabomb.com! But sometimes you just want to whip a batch of easy fresh salsa, and this Zippy Salsa recipe really fits the bill.

Where did we get salsa from?

The history of salsa, the sauce, can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Central America, particularly the Aztecs and the Mayans. They used a mixture of tomatoes, chilies, and other ingredients to create a sauce called “salsa.”

After the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs in the 16th century, the tomato was introduced to Europe and eventually made its way to other parts of the world. In the 1800s, salsa recipes began to appear in Mexican cookbooks, but it was not until the 20th century that salsa became popular in the United States.

In the 1970s, commercial salsa brands such as Pace and Old El Paso became popular in the US, and they helped to spread the popularity of salsa nationwide. Today, salsa is a common condiment in many households and is enjoyed in many different varieties, from mild to spicy, and with a wide range of ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables.

Why make salsa at home?

There are a whole lotta reasons to make salsa at home rather than buying pre-made salsa at the store. Here are just a few:

1. Freshness: When you make salsa at home, you have complete control over the ingredients you use. Use the freshest, highest quality produce available, so you get a much fresher and more flavorful salsa.
2. Heat it up or cool it down: Homemade salsa lets you customize the ingredients and spiciess to your own tastes. Make it as mild or as spicy as you like. Add (or omit) any extra ingredients you like, such as mango, pineapple, or avocado.
3. Healthy: Salsa is very healthy, since it is made primarily from fresh vegetables and herbs. It is low in calories, fat, and sugar, and it is packed with vitamins and minerals.
4. Budget-Friendly: Making salsa at home is often more cost-effective than buying pre-made salsa at the store. You’ll get multiple jars out of a single batch. If you have a home garden, even better! The only garden I grow is a salsa garden — tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, green onions and garlic!
5. Creative Outlet: Making salsa is a great way to express your creativity in the kitchen. You can experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to create a salsa that is truly unique and delicious.
6. Fun Activity: Making salsa can be a fun and rewarding activity to do with friends and family. What a great way to spend time together in the kitchen! You can even have a salsa-making competition to see who can come up with the best recipe. My brothers and our families gather at the lake in the summer and ususally have some kind of cooking competition. Salsa making is a perfect choice!

Types of Easy Salsa Recipes

Classic Tomato Salsas

Classic tomato salsa is the most commonly known type of salsa. You make it with with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro. It has a bright and tangy flavor. It is perfect for dipping tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, burritos, and nachos. Make it just to your liking by adjusting the amount of jalapeños or adding additional spices like cumin and chili powder.

Spicy salsa is for those who love a little heat, and that is what the recipe below is for. Minus onions (remember I said you can omit things?) I am NOT a fan of red, yellow or white onions and usually substitute green onions or shallots. In this case, I just went all in on the garlic. It can be made with a variety of hot peppers such as jalapeños, serranos, and habaneros. It can be as mild or as spicy as you like, and is typically flavored with lime juice, cilantro, and garlic. Spicy salsa is perfect for adding heat to any dish, from tacos to scrambled eggs.

Fruit salsa is a refreshing and sweet twist on traditional salsa. I gotta be honest, the first time someone had a fruit salsa out, I passed it up. I was a little scared to try it but they are so yummy! Make fruit salsa with a variety of fruits such as mango, pineapple, and peach. It is typically flavored with lime juice, cilantro, and chili peppers. Fruit salsa pairs well with fish, chicken, and other grilled meats.

If you are up for something a little heartier, try salsa with beans. Like Tastefully Simple’s Corn Black Bean Salsa, I make it with black beans. You can also use pinto beans, or any other type of bean, and add in corn, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Flavor it with lime juice, cilantro, and cumin and it’s perfect for dipping chips or as a topping for tacos and burritos.

I recently made a batch of tomatillo salsa, also known as salsa verde. Salsa verde is made with tomatillos, jalapeños, onions, and cilantro. It has a tangy and slightly sour flavor and is perfect for topping grilled meats, enchiladas, and other Mexican dishes.