Spice up your favorite Mexican dishes with this salsa roja recipe...or just eat it with tortilla chips. With its smoky flavor, it's delicious any way you try it!
Are you team salsa roja or salsa verde? I’m team…both! I adore all types of salsa made with fresh ingredients, and this salsa roja recipe is one I’ve been especially loving lately. It differs from other red salsas I’ve previously shared in two ways:
- I roast the fresh ingredients. Charring the tomatoes, onion, and serrano peppers adds smoky depth of flavor to this salsa recipe.
- I use a dried chile. It thickens the salsa, adds rich complexity, and brings out the smoky flavor even more.
If you try this salsa roja, you won’t believe it’s homemade. It tastes like you could have gotten it in a Mexican restaurant! Because it’s so fresh and flavorful on its own, my favorite way to enjoy it is as a dip with tortilla chips. That said, it’s delicious with Mexican fare like tacos and burritos too. I hope you love it!
Salsa Roja Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this salsa roja recipe:
- Dried ancho chile – Ancho chiles are dried poblano peppers. If you’re sensitive to spice, don’t worry—they don’t pack too much heat. Instead, they’re smoky and slightly bitter, adding rich flavor to this recipe. If you buy a pack, use the leftover peppers to make more salsa, homemade chili powder, or my vegetarian tortilla soup! Look for them in Mexican markets, spice shops, or the Mexican section of your grocery store. They’re also easy to find online.
- Roma tomatoes – I like to use them here because they’re less watery than other types of tomatoes, yielding a thicker salsa.
- Onion and garlic – For savory bite.
- Serrano pepper – For a spicy kick! If you can’t find a serrano, a jalapeño pepper is a great sub. Feel free to skip these chili peppers if you’re sensitive to heat.
- Fresh lime juice – It makes the salsa zesty and bright.
- Avocado oil – Its richness helps balance this punchy salsa roja. Another neutral oil would work here too.
- Fresh cilantro – It adds a refreshing kick and pretty green flecks.
- And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Salsa Roja
The first step in this salsa roja recipe is prepping the dried chile. Use kitchen scissors to remove the stem, then cut vertically along one of the pepper’s edges. Spread it open so that it lays flat.
Heat a large, dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chile and toast until fragrant. Then, place it in a medium bowl, cover it with water, and set aside to soak.
Next, char the vegetables. Return the pan to medium heat. Add the whole tomatoes, onion wedges, and serrano and cook until the vegetables are nicely charred, rotating them as they brown. The entire process should take 15 to 20 minutes.
Then, blend the salsa. Drain the ancho chile and pat it dry. Place it in a blender. Add the tomatoes, onion, serrano, garlic, avocado oil, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth.
Finally, add the cilantro and pulse until combined. The salsa should have nice green flecks. Season with more lime and salt to taste. Enjoy!
Tip
Chill the salsa before serving. I recommending popping it in the fridge for at least an hour to give the flavors a chance to meld. Plus, when it’s cold, it’s super refreshing!
How to Serve Salsa Roja
We love this salsa roja as a dip with tortilla chips. Just add guacamole for a fun party appetizer spread!
It’s also great with Mexican dishes like
- tacos,
- taquitos,
- nachos,
- and burritos, such as this vegan burrito or this breakfast burrito.
It adds a punch of zesty flavor to a burrito bowl too!
How do you like to serve salsa roja? Let me know in the comments!
Storage
Store this salsa roja recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavor just gets better the longer it sits!
More Favorite Salsa Recipes
If you love this salsa roja, try one of these homemade salsa recipes next:
- Homemade Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- Easy Mango Salsa
- Avocado Salsa
- Corn Salsa
- Pineapple Salsa
- Peach Salsa
Salsa Roja
Ingredients
- 1 dried ancho chile
- 6 Roma tomatoes
- ¼ medium white onion, cut into two wedges
- 1 serrano pepper, stemmed
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- Heaping ¼ cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Use kitchen scissors to slice the stem off the ancho chile, then cut it open vertically along one of its edges. Spread it open so that it lays flat.
- Heat a large, dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chile and toast for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until fragrant. Remove and transfer to a medium bowl. Cover with water and set aside to soak.
- Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the whole tomatoes, onion wedges, and serrano and cook until the tomatoes and serrano are browned and blistered and the onion is charred and soft. Rotate the vegetables as they brown on each side, removing them from the pan as they are ready. The entire process should take 15 to 20 minutes.
- Drain the chile and pat it dry. Place in a blender and add the charred tomatoes, onion, serrano, garlic, lime juice, avocado oil, and salt. Blend until smooth. Add the cilantro and pulse until combined. Season to taste.
Can’t wait to try it! Has anyone tried freezing this?
What an amazing salsa roja recipe! I’m going to try this out with some tortilla chips – it sounds like the perfect way to spice up snack time. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Hi, I’m so glad you loved it!
Would a food processor work
Hi Kristen, I recommend using a blender here so that you can fully incorporate the dried chile with the other ingredients.