Seismic Salsa
Seismic Salsa offers a bold, fiery flavor with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro, perfect as a dip for chips or a spicy topping for various dishes.
Ingredients
- 5 large plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 1/2 large peeled carrots ⓘ
- 1 large bunch cilantro leaves ⓘ
- 2 fresh jalapenos ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 green pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 red pepper ⓘ
- 2 radishes ⓘ
- 2 scallions ⓘ
- 1/4 cucumber ⓘ
- 12 oz. tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 6 Tbsp. cider vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne ⓘ
- 1/2 oz. Tabasco ⓘ
Instructions
- Process the tomatoes, carrots, cilantro, jalapenos, garlic, green pepper, red pepper, radishes, scallions, and cucumber in a food processor until well blended.
- In a large bowl, combine the processed mixture with tomato paste, salt, chili powder, cider vinegar, cayenne, and Tabasco.
- If the salsa is too thick, add some canned plum tomatoes and their juice to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoother salsa, blend longer and consider adjusting the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños. If you prefer a milder flavor, substitute sweet bell peppers for jalapeños. Fresh herbs like parsley can replace cilantro if desired. For a twist, try adding a splash of lime juice or a pinch of cumin to enhance the flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Seismic Salsa as a dip with tortilla chips, or use it as a topping for tacos, burritos, or grilled meats. It pairs beautifully with Ranchero Potatoes for a hearty meal. For a refreshing appetizer, serve it alongside Basic Flour Tortillas or with a side of guacamole.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavors will deepen as it sits. If you want to preserve it longer, consider freezing in ice cube trays. To use, thaw overnight in the fridge and enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Seismic Salsa contains roughly 629 calories, with 21g protein, 125g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (184% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (147% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salsa ahead of time?
Yes, this salsa can be made a day in advance. In fact, letting it sit in the fridge overnight allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Just give it a good stir before serving to recombine any ingredients that may have settled.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the salsa?
To adjust the spiciness, you can modify the number of jalapeños you use or remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor. Alternatively, if you find it too spicy, add a little sugar or more tomatoes to balance the heat.
What can I serve with this salsa?
This salsa is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Serve it with tortilla chips, use it as a topping for grilled chicken or fish, or mix it into scrambled eggs for a flavorful breakfast. For more ideas, browse other Mexican recipes that complement this dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).