Seven Salsa Recipes to Try
Salsa lovers and salsa newcomers, rejoice! We are diving into the vibrant world of salsa. No, not salsa dancing — salsa, as in the condiment and sauce!
Salsa dates back to the days of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas, but it wasn’t commonly enjoyed until the 1500s. That’s when Alonso de Molina, a Spanish priest and missionary, officially dubbed the tomato recipe “salsa.”
Today, we’re familiar with salsa as an appetizer or snack eaten with tortilla chips, so we already know it’s delicious. But did you know it’s also nutritious and versatile?
Health Benefits of Eating Salsa
The elements that come together to make salsa are filled with health-boosting vitamins and antioxidants. For a classic red salsa recipe, ingredients typically include:
- Tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno
- Onion
- Garlic
- Lime
- Chili powder and cumin
The vitamin C and lycopene in salsa are known to protect against inflammation, reduce cancer risk and boost metabolism. Salsa is also a great source of potassium and fiber, which help reduce blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar.
While you certainly don’t need an excuse to enjoy salsa, if you’re looking for one, you can revel in the fact the condiment was officially declared a vegetable within the food pyramid in 1998 by the United States Department of Agriculture. So go ahead and enjoy your salsa, guilt-free!
Different Salsa Recipes to Enjoy
Salsa is a versatile food. There are many ways to make and use salsa. You can even customize the spiciness level based on your heat tolerance and preferences.
There are seven main types of salsa:
- Salsa roja (the classic red recipe)
- Salsa taquera (smoother and spicier taco sauce)
- Salsa verde (green salsa made with tomatillos)
- Salsa de aguacate (green, creamy salsa with avocado and tomatillos)
- Salsa criolla (made with red onions)
- Pico de gallo (chunkier with fresh tomatoes, onions and chiles)
- Fruit salsa (sweet and made with fruit such as mango, pineapple or strawberries)
The type of salsa you make depends on how you plan to use it. This brings us to our next point: salsa can be enjoyed in many ways.
Salsa is obviously delicious served as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips. But the fun doesn’t end there. Here are some other ways to level up your food with salsa.
- Smother it on enchiladas, scrambled eggs or baked potatoes.
- Include it as an ingredient in dishes like rice, stuffed bell peppers, soups or pastas.
- Use it as a substitute when you are low on tomato-based condiments like ketchup or cocktail sauce.
- Put it in your favorite Bloody Mary cocktail or mocktail for brunch.
- Change it up and go sweet with a fruit salsa served with cinnamon chips for a fun dessert.
Looking for creative ways to try all seven types of salsa? Consider hosting a competition for the best-tasting salsa with your friends, or throw a dinner party so you can try a salsa recipe you’ve never made before.
Check Out These Related Stories
