Summer is the perfect time to perfect your salsa-making talents! Salsa is a great summer snack – light, refreshing, healthy, occasionally a bit spicy, and versatile enough that you can eat salsa every day without getting bored.
And while some store-bought salsa can satisfy your craving, there’s nothing better than a fresh, homemade salsa. Plus, it’s easier to make than you think!
We’ve put together our foolproof list for making a great salsa (and we even added a recipe on at the end to get you started). Want to give it a shot? Here’s what you need:
- Fruits & Veggies
This may seem obvious, but this is actually where you can be truly creative! Use fruits and veggies like tomatoes and onions to make a traditional salsa, or change it up and try a salsa with pineapple or pomegranate seeds or corn or zucchini… the list goes on and on. - Acid
A very important step to make your salsa bright and flavorful is adding acid. Depending on your fruits and veggies base, adding some lime, lemon, or even something like balsamic or red wine vinegar will bring out the flavors and make your salsa refreshing. - Herbs & Spices
Another key to flavoring your salsa is using herbs spices. Don’t be shy here! You can use fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, mint, thyme, etc., or you can reach in to your cupboard and bring out the dried spices to pack a punch. Just make sure to season generously – and never forget to add salt! - Heat (optional)
Do you like a kick to your salsa? Amp up the heat here by adding peppers. Start with the traditional jalapeno (remove the seeds if you don’t want it too spicy!). Kick it up a notch with hotter peppers like habanero, but always keep safety in mind… a little truly goes a long way. Not a fan of heat? Just skip this step (or maybe add a little cracked black pepper or a few chili flakes). Your salsa will still be delicious!
Once you’ve prepared your summertime snack, enjoy it with chips, crackers, or veggies like cucumbers and peppers, or anything else that you can use to scoop!
Need a recipe to get started? Here’s a simple and healthy recipe from Celebrate Your Plate: https://celebrateyourplate.org/recipes/summer-salsa