Homemade Green Salsa Verde Recipe (Tomatillo Salsa)

This authentic green Salsa Verde recipe uses tangy tomatillos and is so quick and easy to make in a blender! Goes perfectly with your favorite healthy Mexican dinners like our chicken and spinach enchiladas or spicy citrus black beans!

This recipe for salsa verde is so easy to make! It goes perfectly with chicken enchiladas, tacos, and more!

Sometimes I like to break with tradition and make my enchiladas (these chicken and spinach enchiladas are amazing!) with green tomatillo salsa rather than red. Especially when tomatillos are in season at my farmer’s market!

You might wonder how in the world tomatillo salsa goes with enchiladas, OR homemade tortilla soup, white chicken chili, and even homemade tortilla chips for that matter!

But let me tell you…Salsa verde (tomatillo salsa) is a fresh, bright, and oh-so-tangy salsa! It gives recipes a boost of lemony freshness as compared to the sweet earthiness that it’s red salsa counterpart brings.

My kids love to have it in a serving dish to accompany taco night, with beans and rice, or as a snack with fresh homemade tortilla chips! It’s perfectly packed for lunch as well!

Use it homemade in other recipes, or it’s perfect on its own as fresh salsa! Either way, it’s SO much better than the store-bought kind that often has not-so-healthy preservatives and fillers.

Try it! Your family will LOVE it!

Salsa verde is a spicy, tangy, delicious mexican salasa made with green roasted tomatillos. It is easily made in a blender.

Homemade Salsa Verde (Tomatillo Salsa)

Although this green salsa recipe is perfectly bright, delicious, and fun to eat, it’s also:

Healthy. This salsa recipe is made with fresh, natural ingredients with no fillers or preservatives like the extra salty store-bought versions.
Quick and Easy. It’s perfect for the weekdays or make-ahead for upcoming real food meals.
Versatile. Can be used with just about any recipe from enchiladas, to burritos, to tacos, to eggs. Or, enjoy it simply with homemade guacamole and fresh tortilla chips!

What is tomatillo sauce (salsa verde) made of?

Tomatillos
Jalapeño peppers
Raw onions & garlic
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Fresh cilantro
Salt
Granulated sugar
Water

Notes: You might wonder why I’m not using fresh lime juice in this recipe? Well, the tomatillos give such a wonderful tangy tart flavor that we don’t need a sour element here.

Some other recipes might call for serrano peppers or chile peppers. I didn’t add them here, but go ahead and try them if you’d love a different spicy flavor profile!

This homemade salsa is perfect for taco night. Pair it with other great toppings, like homemade guacamole, red salsa, cheese, rice, and more and you'll have a great spread for taco night.

Can I make tomatillo salsa less spicy?

Of course! If you prefer less spice, carefully remove the seeds from the jalapeno peppers with the tip of a knife first. Discard the insides carefully so you don’t get the spice on your hands.

Are the tomatillos in this salsa verde recipe green tomatoes?

No. Tomatillos and green tomatoes are not the same. Tomatillos are commonly used in Mexican cuisine, and they are in the nightshade family like tomatoes. They have a husk and a slightly sticky skin underneath. Tomatillos are sweet and tart by themselves. A green tomato is an under-ripe tomato as is popularly fried.

Making salsa verde at home with your blender is so much healthier than buying store-bought salsa. Skip the preservatives and questionable ingredients with this simple real food recipe.

Can you eat raw tomatillo?

Yes, you can. Tomatillos have a very bright flavor, so expect that to be prevalent if you go raw. When they are in season, the taste is sweet and tart.

How to make homemade salsa verde (tomatillo salsa) from scratch?

On a large baking sheet combine tomatillos, jalapenos, garlic, and white onion. Drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper.
Roast in the oven for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are just beginning to blister.
Combine vegetables and cilantro in a blender (this is the blender that I have). Pulse until vegetables are roughly chopped.
Thin salsa with water to desired consistency.

Do I have to roast the tomatillos for Homemade Salsa Verde?

You don’t HAVE to roast the vegetables first if you’re short on time. Simply puree it all in a blender or food processor and call it done. Roasting the vegetables first imparts that slightly smoky/sweet flavor that is just so good!

What do you use salsa verde for?

Salsa verde is common in many Mexican foods. It is SO delicious in my spinach and chicken enchiladas or my homemade tortilla soup. You can also enjoy it with fresh tortillas or homemade tortilla chips with guacamole. Go ahead and pair it with another homemade salsa too! Enjoy it as a condiment with tacos, beans and rice, burritos, or eggs! The sky’s the limit!

This fresh tomatillo salsa verde is wonderful for many healthy mexican dishes.

Are salsa verde and tomatillo salsa the same thing?

Essentially yes. For this super easy recipe, I am using the two names interchangeably.

Can you buy Salsa Verde?

Yes. But honestly, I prefer to make my own because refined sugars, preservatives, and fillers are often added to store-bought varieties. And also because this homemade salsa verde recipe is so easy to make! But if you need a store-bought version in a pinch, be sure to read the label to avoid the unhealthy additives.

More Easy Salsa Recipes

Easy Homemade Salsa
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Fresh Mango Salsa
Chunky Salsa

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