Skip to content

Easy Salsa Verde Recipe

This salsa verde recipe is a tangy and flavorful Mexican green salsa that is easy to make with tomatillos, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, garlic and lime! Homemade salsa tastes superior to store-bought and is perfect with tortilla chips.

Salsa is so easy to make! Other favorites we love include this black bean salsa, restaurant style salsa and avocado salsa!

Salsa verde in a white bowl with chips all around.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Homemade Salsa Verde

Chips and salsa are one of my absolute favorite Mexican appetizers. There’s something about the combination of crunchy, salty homemade tortilla chips dipped in a fresh and flavorful salsa.

This salsa verde recipe (also known as tomatillo salsa) reminds me of one from my favorite Mexican restaurant! It has the perfect flavor and is so simple to make. 

Use this salsa verde to add flavoring to your favorite Mexican dishes, or as an appetizer with tortilla chips, pico de gallo and fresh guacamole. So good!

Recipe Ingredients

Blend together all the ingredients to create one of the best tomatillo salsa verde. This green salsa is perfect for chips, spreading over protein, or as a topping on salads.

Tomatillos on the counter top.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Tomatillos: Medium sized tomatillos are perfect for this recipe. These are tart and have a little bit of sweetness to them. They are a light green color that has a shiny and bright tint to them.
  • Jalapeno peppers: Add a little heat to the salsa with a minced jalapeno. This is a finely chopped or small piece of jalapeno.
  • Cilantro: This is a sweet and savory plant that helps with the taste.
  • Lime: Juice a fresh lime or use lime juice to lighten up the salsa verde.
  • Sugar: Bring in a little more sweetness with some sugar added to the salsa. This helps offset the bitterness of the tomatillos.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic is always best fresh or jarred.

How to Make Salsa Verde

You’ll never go back to the store-bought jar after making this delicious homemade version. It’s so simple and comes together in a matter of minutes.

The process of making salsa verde in a four step photo collage.
  • Prepare tomatillos. Remove skin from tomatillos and place on a baking sheet with aluminum foil, along with the jalapeño peppers.
  • Broil. Broil for 3 minutes, then flip and broil for 3-5 more minutes, until dark spots have appeared.
  • Blend. Let tomatillos cool, then add cilantro, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and jalapeno in a blender and pulse. Add tomatillos and blend until smooth or the desired consistency. Salt to taste.
  • Chill. Refrigerate prior to serving. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

This salsa verde is very easy to make and comes together quickly! You will love how simple it is to substitute and make variations with the use of these helpful tips.

  • You can use canned tomatillos if you prefer. Just drain and place in blender.
  • Tomatillos can also be cooked in a pot of water for 5 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, place on a paper towel to dry and cool.
  • Once you blend your salsa verde, feel free to add more seasonings to taste. Add more jalapeno if you like heat or more sugar if you like sweet.
  • For less heat use serrano peppers instead of jalapeno peppers. This will reduce the heat a bit but still give the salsa verde a slight kick.
  • Let the salsa chill for at least an hour before serving, so the flavors have time to marry together.
An overhead shot of salsa verde in a white bowl with chips on the side.

5 star review

“My favorite salsa recipe!! It’s so good I could eat it all day… love this recipe!”

-Eden

Favorite Ways to Use Salsa Verde

This is a great salsa that is dipped in and served over tacos and nachos. Share this green salsa verde during dinner, game time, or as a salsa over salad. Your family and friends will love this homemade salsa verde!

Recipe FAQs

What is green salsa verde made of?

This homemade salsa verde recipe is easy to make from scratch. First, you need to cook the tomatillos by either boiling them, roast them on the oven rack, or using the broiler. You need the other six ingredients that are then blended together.

What is the difference between salsa and salsa verde?

Red salsa is made from red tomatoes, herbs, and spices, while salsa verde (tomatillo salsa) is made with tomatillos, herbs, and spices. Red salsa is typically a bit spicier than salsa verde, although you can add extra jalapeno to your salsa verde to increase the heat. Both are used in many Mexican dishes, as well as for dipping.

Are tomatillos the same as tomatoes?

No, tomatillos are not the same as tomatoes. They do look like small green tomatoes though. These are the fruit of a different plant that originated in Mexico and grows in a papery husk. They are often used in sauces and salsas and have a tart and fruity taste (not spicy). When using tomatillos in sauces, they are typically cooked in order to bring out the flavor and soften the thick skin.

Up close photo of salsa verde with a chip being dipped in it.

Storing

This salsa verde will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I like to store it in a mason jar for easy access. So simple and perfect to snack on throughout the week!

Do you love Mexican dinners?! Then you will love this chicken fajita bowl, a fun taco braid, or this baked chicken chimichangas.

Other Homemade Salsa Recipes

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

salsa verde

Salsa Verde

5 from 29 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Easy salsa verde recipe with a touch of sweet and spicy! Enjoy this homemade tomatillo salsa with tortilla chips or with your favorite Mexican dish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Refrigerate: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound tomatillos , fresh or canned
  • 1/2-1 jalapeno , minced (optional)
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup cilantro , add more to taste
  • 1 lime , juiced
  • 1-3 Tablespoons granulated sugar , add more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • salt to taste

For serving: Tortilla chips

    Instructions

    • If using canned tomatillos, drain and place in the blender. If using fresh tomatillos, remove the skin and place the tomatillos and jalapeno on a pan. Broil for 3-5 minutes. Flip and broil a couple more minutes, or until dark spots have appeared. Alternatively you can boil tomatillos in a pot of water for 5-10 minutes. Place on a paper towel to dry and allow to cool.
    • Allow the tomatillos to cool and then place the onion, cilantro, lime juice, sugar, garlic and jalapeno in a blender. Add tomatillos and blend until the salsa is smooth. Salt to taste. Add more jalapeno if you like it spicier. Add more sugar if you like it sweeter.
    • Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy with fresh tortilla chips.

    Notes

    Canned tomatillos: You can use canned tomatillos to make it easier. Make sure to drain the juice before using. 
    Storage: This salsa will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week in an airtight container. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mexican

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Let’s connect

    Join our community of over 5 million!

    Featured on

    • Taste of Home
    • Martha Stewart
    • Country Living
    • BuzzFeed
    • Yahoo
    • Food Network
    • Today