Salsa Picante from Cooking Light Magazine

Transform your next taco night with the vibrant and smoky flavors of Salsa Picante, a fiery homemade salsa inspired by Cooking Light Magazine. This easy-to-make recipe features fresh, wholesome ingredients like charred tomatoes, roasted jalapeños, and fragrant garlic, blended with zesty lime juice, earthy cumin, and a hint of cilantro for a perfect balance of heat and freshness. The secret lies in roasting the vegetables to unlock their deep, smoky flavor, making this salsa an irresistible companion for tortilla chips, grilled meats, or even scrambled eggs. Ready in just 20 minutes and customizable to your spice preference, this authentic, flavor-packed recipe is your go-to for a quick and healthy Mexican-inspired dip.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 medium (about 1.5 lbs) Fresh tomatoes
• 2 whole Jalapeño peppers
• 3 large Garlic cloves
• 1 small (about 1/2 cup, diced) White onion
• 1 cup (loosely packed, chopped) Cilantro
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the surface with olive oil.

Step 2

Place the whole tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and garlic cloves (unpeeled) onto the skillet. Roast them, turning occasionally, until the tomatoes are charred and softened, the jalapeños are blistered, and the garlic skin is lightly browned (about 5 minutes).

Step 3

Remove the roasted ingredients from the heat. Peel the garlic cloves and set aside.

Step 4

Carefully remove and discard the stems from the jalapeños. For less heat, remove the seeds. Leave the seeds in if you prefer a spicier salsa.

Step 5

Transfer the roasted tomatoes, jalapeños, garlic, and any accumulated juices from the skillet into a food processor or blender.

Step 6

Add the diced white onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and ground cumin into the blender or food processor.

Step 7

Pulse the mixture until the salsa reaches your desired consistency — either slightly chunky or smooth, depending on your preference.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or lime juice if needed.

Step 9

Transfer the salsa into a serving bowl, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2889.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	565.1

Total Fat 5.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2509.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 124.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.5g	0%
Total Sugars 75.6g
Protein 27.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 341.4mg	0%
Iron 8.4mg	0%
Potassium 6835.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 6.9%

Protein: 16.7%

Carbs: 76.3%