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By Plant-Based Nutrition Professional Chef Susy • Designed For Effortless Weight Loss & Weight Maintenance

Restaurant-Style Sexy Salsa Recipe

Name: Restaurant-Style Sexy Salsa Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 red onion, finely chopped; 2 limes, freshly squeezed; 1 1/3 lbs (600 g) cherry tomatoes, chopped small; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/4 tsp cumin powder; 1 tsp agave syrup or maple syrup, optional; 1 ounce (25 g) fresh jalapeños (or from a jar), chopped small; 1/2 cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped small; Pinch of salt & pepper to taste

Looking for a healthy, nutrient-rich dip, side dish or sauce recipe? Try sexy salsa. Read on to learn all you need to know about this quick and healthy whole food plant-based condiment recipe!

Prep Time: 10 Mins

Inactive Time: 20 Mins | Total Time: 30 Mins

Servings: Adjustable

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I’ve tried everything—from canned sauces to basic condiments—but nothing comes close to the mouthwatering taste and high-nutrient profile of my favourite salsa.

Or, I’d rather say, sexy salsa. Its simple recipe and incredible versatility make it one of my most frequently made—and appreciated—dishes on the table.

Eager to learn how to make it? Let’s jump right in!

Why This Recipe Works

Helps with Weight Loss

How can a sauce help with fat loss? The answer is simple. Have you ever counted the calories in your condiments when eating? Probably not every time. And even if you have, it’s honestly the most annoying thing to do.

Salsa is a clean and healthy, whole food plant-based sauce that doesn’t add extra calories to your chart—or at least much less than the basic condiments do. Ketchup, for example, contains 112 calories per serving, unlike sexy salsa, which contains only 36 calories.

In fact, this delectable dip or side dish is so calorie-light yet nutrient-dense that you can really enjoy it guilt-free anytime.

Adds a Wow Factor to the Table

A fancy condiment like salsa often brings me the complement of being a high-maintenance girly who loves going all out to fill the dining table with the healthiest and most delicious items.

And with something like salsa, the effort is always so worth it. Be it my family or guests, everyone absolutely loves the spicy dip to enhance their meals.

Tastes Heavenly

My salsa tastes just perfect—not too spicy for the kids and not too bland for the adults.

The tomatoes and balsamic vinegar add depth to the taste, the freshly squeezed lime juice gives the sauce a citrusy kick, and the garlic and fresh coriander impart a mouthwatering aroma. Overall, salsa has a refreshing taste with a seamless blend of sweet and savoury.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Red Onion (finely chopped). Choose a red onion to complement the red colour of tomatoes. Rinse it before blending to remove its pungent taste.

Limes. I’d recommend freshly squeezed lime juice to brighten up the taste.

Cherry tomatoes (chopped small), preferably red cherry tomatoes, for a deep red sauce colour. If the tomatoes are juicy, cut them in half to squeeze out the juices before chopping.

Garlic clove. Use fresh garlic and mince it finely so it fully mixes in.

Tomato paste. I use Roma tomatoes (or baby plum tomatoes) to make fresh, homemade tomato paste.

Balsamic vinegar. 1 tbsp will be enough to introduce a tangy flavour.

Cayenne pepper. Add to taste.

Cumin powder. Its earthy flavour will add complexity to the sauce.

Agave syrup. You can also go for maple syrup. The key is to tame the sharp, acidic flavours of the rest of the ingredients.

Fresh jalapeños (chopped small) for the heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, remove the seeds. ¼ cup finely chopped bell pepper will do the job, too.

Fresh coriander (cilantro) chopped finely. It’s a key ingredient for pretty flecks of green and a fresh taste—don’t miss it out!

Pinch of salt and pepper to taste. The salsa will be bland without pepper and the salt makes all the flavours pop.

How To Make The Salsa Recipe

Once you try the homemade salsa recipe, you’ll never go back to the store-bought varieties. Here’s what you basically have to do.

Prepare the onions. Once finely chopped, fully cover the onions with freshly squeezed lime juice and set them aside for 30 minutes.
Dice the tomatoes. Depending on your preference, you can go for either soft or firm tomatoes. If you have delicate tomatoes, use more skin and add the leftover liquid to the main dish that will be served with the sauce. I had firm tomatoes, so I diced all of them, added them to a bowl, and mixed in the crushed garlic.
Prepare the ‘dressing’. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, spices, and maple syrup to a separate bowl and mix thoroughly.
Combine all the ingredients. Spatula in the tomatoes to the ‘dressing’, and add the jalapeños, the previously prepared red onions, chopped coriander (cilantro), and salt and pepper. Mix vigorously to combine the elements fully.
Transfer to a serving bowl and delve in!

All you need is a sharp knife and two bowls. No food processor, no blender!

Variations, Ideas & Notes

You can always switch things up depending on the available ingredients and personal preferences—and if you’re not professional enough to decide which swaps and add-ons will work, here are a few ideas to try.

Don’t have cherry tomatoes? Use firm, fleshy Roma or baby plum tomatoes.

No limes on hand? Many salsa recipes use lemon.

Can’t handle the heat? Tone it down with finely chopped bell pepper instead of fresh jalapeños.

No red onions? Add whatever variety you have, yellow or white onions, or shallots.

Note: If you’re using my salsa recipe, the sauce will have a chunky texture, with small vegetable pieces being scooped up in every bite. For folks who don’t like the coarse consistency, toss the ingredients into a food processor with a dollop of plant-based yogurt, and blend the mixture into a fine, creamy, and thick sauce.

Pro Tips For Restaurant-Style Sexy Salsa

As easy as salsa is to prepare, following a few tips can help perfect the results for a heavenly experience.

Create the right consistency. The salsa’s consistency depends on the tomato’s water content. If it is too juicy, strain the extra liquid in a separate bowl. Combine the chunky strained mixture (caught in the sieve) with the remaining salsa.
Mix up the ingredients for a burst of flavour. Mangoes or peaches, for example, can add a sweet, juicy taste. Oregano is a delicious addition, too.
Use fresh spices and herbs for better taste and nutrients. If not available, add dried varieties instead of none.
Adjust the seasonings. If the salsa is too hot, add more tomatoes. If it isn’t hot enough, carefully sprinkle in a few seeds from the jalapenos or add a bit of ground cumin.
Allow the salsa to sit for an hour before consuming. This makes sure the flavours settle down and fully combine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to serve salsa?

Salsa is greatly versatile. It can be paired with almost everything on the table!

Salsa in breakfast

Spread over toasted bread or avocado slices
Use as a sauce to fill breakfast burritos
Mix into a potato hash
Serve a vegan Spanish tortilla with a dollop of salsa on top
Enjoy with Mexican tofu scramble

Salsa in lunch

Make a taco salad with salsa dressing
Add a spoonful of salsa over grilled vegan "chicken" seitan
Stuff salsa into bell peppers with a mixture of black beans, corn, and tofu
Enjoy as a dip with tortilla chips
Enjoy in a vegan chilli bean burrito

Salsa in dinner

Set up a fajita bar with salsa as one of the toppings
Serve salsa Mexican rice bowls alongside Mexican mango salad
Mix salsa in a tomato-based soup
Prepare courgette (zucchini) pasta with salsa as a sauce
Enjoy with vegan enchiladas

How to store salsa?

Preparing salsa ahead of your game night or picnic party? Go for it!

All you have to do is transfer the sauce to a sealable container and store it in the refrigerator. It will maintain its taste for up to 1 week.

Can I blend the salsa for a smoother texture?

Absolutely! Pulse it in a food processor for a smoother, restaurant-style consistency.

Can I freeze salsa?

Yes, salsa can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. I’d recommend freezing the salsa in usable portions so you don’t have to thaw the entire sauce each time you need it.

Health Benefits of Salsa?

Condiments are usually high in fat and low in nutrients—but homemade salsa is quite the opposite. Being a healthy sauce made of low-fat ingredients, the plant-based salsa delights your taste buds and enriches your body.

Some particular nutrients rich in salsa include;

Vitamin C, K, and B6
Potassium
Folate
Sodium
Antioxidants

Final Words

Ditch the basic condiments and bland sauces with the super delicious and healthy salsa dip. The fresh flavour and mouth watering texture will leave the table with no leftovers—and be prepared to share the recipe with everyone who tastes it! 😜

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