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This authentic Salsa Verde recipe is the best and easiest salsa verde recipe you’ll ever make.
It is so fresh and flavorful that you’ll want to take it to your favorite Mexican restaurant because it will likely taste better than theirs!
Whichever type of salsa you prefer, mild or spicier salsa, you’ll find this easy salsa verde recipe will satisfy your salsa craving.
Whenever we visit our favorite Mexican restaurant, they start the meal by bringing out salsa roja, salsa verde, and chips.
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This salsa verde, or green sauce, is one of my favorite salsas, so much that I can pour it over everything, including tacos, nachos, enchiladas, including Pork Chile Verde, Green Pork Tamales, Breakfast Empanadas, and Enchiladas Suizas, or even cook beef in the green salsa, which is called Carne en salsa verde, or serve it with Salsa Roja and Mango Habanero Salsa on a salsa bar for a party!
However, I mostly serve it with my homemade tortilla chips. We think it is one of the best authentic Mexican recipes out there.
Recipe Source
Living in Texas, we have lots of friends who live in Mexico and come up to San Antonio to visit. Whenever they come, we end up making a feast of Mexican food Recipes and Southern food and, afterward, exchange recipes. This is where I got my green salsa recipe. It is a nice alternative to salsa roja.
Starting out with Appetizers, my friend from Mexico shared this authentic salsa verde recipe with us, and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make, and how delicious this easy recipe was.
She also shared some tips with me to make the salsa taste amazing, and I’ll be sharing those recipe tips with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy. This is super easy to make. Literally, you dump all the ingredients in a food processor and let it go for a minute or two until it is smooth, and you are done!
- Flavorful. With the tomatillos, Serrano peppers, onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro as the main ingredients, this salsa verde is exploding with flavor and uses only fresh ingredients. That is why you see it used in so many ways in Mexican restaurants. If you love Mexican cuisine, then you’ll love this recipe.
- Spicy or Mild. You are in control of the spice level. You can make it as mild or as spicy as you like. It is very simple to adjust the level of spiciness in this recipe.
- Ingredients. This recipe uses all fresh ingredients, which you should be able to find at most large grocery stores. If not, then try your local Mexican market.
Why This Recipe Works
- No Cooking. There is no roasting or cooking required with this salsa.
- Authentic Recipe from Mexico. As mentioned above, this is a recipe that I got from my friend from Mexico and it had been in her family for years.
What You’ll Need To Make Salsa Verde
🍽 Equipment
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- Food Processor or Blender
- Large Bowl
- Small Bowls for serving
🥘 Ingredients
Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don't have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
- Green tomatillos – Be sure to remove the papery husk before using. Without the husks, they look like small green tomatoes.
- Serrano Chile Pepper – I like serrano peppers. However, you could use jalapeno peppers if you don’t have serrano peppers.
- Onion – I used a white onion. However, you can use sweet, Vidalia, or red onion.
- Garlic – In this recipe, I recommend using fresh garlic instead of pre-minced garlic.
- Cilantro – You’ll use some of the cilantro in the green sauce, and a little more as a garnish.
- Lime juice – (freshly squeezed lime juice is preferred)
- Water
- Salt (depending on your taste)
- Avocado – (optional) – Feel free to add chopped avocado as a garnish.
🔪 How To Make Authentic Salsa Verde
- Rinse. Rinse the tomatillos and chili with water.
- Blend. Cut your tomatillos into small pieces. Then add your chili, 1 tablespoon of onion, garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of cilantro or the equivalent in leaves, lemon juice, water, and salt into your blender. Blend until smooth.
- Taste. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Garnish. Place sauce into your serving dish and add pieces of avocado with the rest of the onion and additional cilantro.
- Serve. Enjoy with tortilla chips, chilaquiles, nachos, fajitas, quesadillas, or tacos.
💭 Recipe Tips
- To Make Spicier. Add more Serrano chili peppers.
- To Make Less Spicy. Use 1/2 a Serrano chili pepper, or use jalapeños instead because they are not as spicy as the Serrano peppers. For no spicy heat at all, leave out the chili peppers altogether.
📖 Variations
- Italian Salsa Verde – While the Italian green sauce sounds very similar to the Mexican version of Salsa verde, it has several different ingredients, including parsley and basil instead of cilantro, and it adds capers and anchovies. Check out this Italian Salsa Verde Recipe if you are looking for the Italian version.
- Creamy Salsa Verde. Add sour cream to the salsa verde to make it creamy.
- Avocado Salsa Verde. Chop up an avocado and blend it in with the salsa.
- Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde. If you want a smoky salsa, try roasting the tomatillo with olive oil under a broiler for about 12 minutes or until the skins are blistering.
- Salsa Verde Without Tomatillos. If you don’t want tomatillos in the salsa verde, then you could try using jalapeno peppers instead of the tomatillos, but it will give the salsa a different flavor and texture.
What To Serve With Salsa Verde
Salsa Verde goes with every Mexican dish. It can be a dip served with chips or a sauce served with your favorite, meat, poultry, or fish. Below are a few of my favorite ways to serve salsa verde.
- Tortilla Chips. Salsa Verde and chips make a perfect combination with the chips acting as a dipper or spoon.
- Chilaquiles or Huevos Rancheros. Have this delicious green sauce with your eggs in the morning!
- Pulled Pork Nachos
- Lime Chicken Tacos
- Instant Pot Black Beans
FAQs
Can I Make Salsa Verde Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make it up to 3 days ahead of time.
How Do I Store Salsa Verde?
Store this salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Recipes
So the next time you reach for a jar of salsa verde, consider making your own, you will be so glad you did! This is one of the great recipes that everyone should have in their recipe repertoire.
If you like this recipe or make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment, rate the recipe, and follow us on:
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Recipe
Ingredients
Salsa
- 1.2 lbs green tomatillos
- 1 serrano chili (If you want it spicier add more Serrano chili peppers.)
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon minced Cilantro (plus 1 TBL for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed juice is preferred)
- 2 Tablespoons water
- ½ – 1 teaspoon of salt (depending on your taste)
Garnish
- 1 ripe Avocado
- 1 tablespoon Cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
Instructions
- Rinse the tomatillos and chili with water.
- Cut your tomatillos into small pieces. Then add your chili, 1 tablespoon of onion, garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of cilantro or the equivalent in leaves, lemon juice, water, and salt into your blender. Blend until smooth.
- Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Place sauce into your serving dish and add pieces of avocado with the rest of the onion and additional cilantro.
- Enjoy with nachos, fajitas, quesadillas, or tacos.
Alison Saalbach Corey says
This is one of the great recipes that everyone should have! Super authentic salsa verde! Thank you Michelle for this recipe!
Michele says
Thanks Alison!
Lima Ekram says
I love the fact that you can vary the spiciness! I love salsa-verde – but sometimes I just cant have some because its too hot! Thank you for the directions!
GUNJAN says
This salsa tasted so good and so traditional. We loved every bit of it and I am making it again for my friends on Saturday.
Michele says
Hi Gunjan,
I’m so glad you liked it and will be making it again. This is one of those recipes that I always have a batch on hand because I use it on almost everything!
Thanks,
Michele
Mairead says
I love how versatile this recipe is, and the fact that I can make it as mild or as hot as I like. It’s perfect for pouring over tacos, nachos, and enchiladas.
Toni says
I am sure this will be a sure hit at my house!! It looks fantastic and so easy!
Ann says
I love the word authentic in this recipe! I am always trying to find recipes like this! Excited to give it a try!
Michele says
Thank you Ann. I hope you like it.
Michele