Are you a salsa lover like me?
Digging right into a big bowl of fresh salsa with some crispy crunchy tortilla chips has got to be one of my favorite snacks. Yum yum!
Have you noticed how darn expensive those jars of salsa can cost in the stores?! I've seen small jars that cost just under $7! Crazy, eh?
That just doesn't seem fair to us salsa lovers – especially those of us with families who would gobble down a wheelbarrow full in minutes! lol
Well, salsa lover – you're not going to have to worry about cost anymore.
I've got you covered – you can make your very own 5 stars salsa at home for a mere fraction of what you pay for the store bought stuff and I'll show you how. 😀
Introducing my homemade habanero salsa!
This recipe makes about 4 1/2 cups of spicy salsa and costs just under $2.50 to make. That's a whole lotta inexpensive (and tasty) salsa!
This easy recipe isn't just inexpensive… It's amazingly simple to make and packed with a HUGE amount of flavor!
One of my secrets to making this so tasty, is that I cook and soften the onions and garlic together in a little oil before combining with the rest of the ingredients.
Cooking the onions beforehand removes some of the overwhelming bite that uncooked onions sometimes have when used in recipes. It adds a bit of a gentle sweetness but keeps all the flavor.
For this recipe I used only one habanero pepper since they're quite hot. This was just enough to give the salsa a nice mouth warming heat – not over spicy – just perfect. 🙂
If you'd like to add more hot peppers to the salsa, go for it! 😀
Or, if you'd like a mild version, you can make it by substituting jalapeno peppers over habanero peppers and it'll still be super tasty. 🙂
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
psssst… while you're here… If you're looking for more delicious salsa recipes, be sure to check out this awesome salsa recipe round up!
What Ingredients are used to make habanero salsa?
My habanero salsa recipe uses 2 cans or 20 oz of diced tomatoes. To the canned tomatoes I add one habanero pepper, cloves of garlic and a medium onion. Fresh tomatoes may be used instead of canned, use hand chopped tomatoes or dice them in a food processor. Flavor with cilantro, cumin, salt. Use vegetable oil and lime juice. Use a blender or food processor to chop up the ingredients.
How hot are habanero peppers?
Habanero peppers have a very hot spice level. They typically rank between 100,000 and 350,000 Scoville heat units. To put things into perspective, jalapeno peppers generally reach about 3,000 to 8,000 on the Scoville scale. Habaneros have a unique flavor profile that has made them popular in spicy dishes and hot sauce from all around the world.
Habanero Salsa Recipe Variations
Add Fruits – Spicy-sweet combinations like mango and pineapple can be delicious additions to your salsa.
Try Different Herbs – Cilantro is a popular choice for many salsas, but you can also add oregano, parsley, and even mint for a fresh flavor twist.
Use other peppers – Try roasting bell peppers for more freshness and a sweetness, adding a jalapeno pepper will add green freshness and a kick that hits different, serrano peppers taste similar to jalapenos but they are two to five times hotter so they make a great substitute – one that's not for the lighthearted!
Enrich the texture – adding cooked beans (like black beans) can make your salsa extra thick and hearty.
Substitutions:
- lemon juice can add to the lime juice or substitute for lime juice
- use 1.5 – 2 habaneros instead of 1 to go from medium heat to high heat just be careful about adding more heat
- olive oil can substitute vegetable oil
- red onion or white onion can be used.
- Apple cider vinegar can be used in a pinch to substitute lime juice or lemon juice but you would be losing part of what makes this recipe more authentic.
What to Serve with Habanero Salsa
A spicy habanero salsa is great as a dip, but it also pairs well with grilled chicken or fish, and it can really flavor a beef brisket.
It goes without saying that habanero salsa is a perfect topping for favorite Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas or burritos.
Habanero salsa can spice up snacks like nachos, popcorn and chips.
The heat of habanero salsa can also help enhance the flavors in soups and stews.
For a lighter snack you could pair habanero salsa with some crunchy veggies like carrots or celery.
How to Store Habanero salsa / How long is habanero salsa good for?
Keep it refrigerated and you can store your homemade salsa in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or plastic storage container, for up to one week. If the salsa starts looking cloudy, discard it immediately.
Can I freeze habanero salsa?
For longer storage, you can freeze Habanero Salsa in individual servings or an entire batch. Place portions of the salsa into an airtight container or freezer bags and press out as much air as possible before sealing. Alternatively, you can use ice cube trays to portion out your salsa before transferring them into freezer bags. Be sure to enjoy your homemade habanero salsa within 3 months for the best flavor and texture. When ready to serve, thaw your frozen habanero salsa in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Habanero Salsa
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1/2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 – 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 (20 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 habanero pepper, seeded and ribs removed then chopped finely
- 1 large handful cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsps lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a medium pot, heat the oil.
- Add the onions and garlic to the pot and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions soften. Do not let the garlic turn brown though, since this will make a bitter flavor – you don't want that.
- Scrape the onion and garlic from the pot and into a mixing bowl.
- Into the mixing bowl add all the remaining ingredients. Combine well.
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
I recommend wearing disposable gloves when you chop the habanero pepper to prevent accidentally getting any of the spiciness in places you don't want it! ex. eyes
You're welcome to add more habanero peppers to this recipe if you'd like it spicier! 😀
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
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