4 Homemade Salsa Recipes We Can’t Stop Eating

Salsa is all about fresh ingredients. These four homemade salsa recipes are perfect for gatherings, picnics or just a quick weekend dinner. And the best part? They're all made with fermented, probiotic rich healthy ingredients you can feel good about—and your gut will thank you for it.

So break out your cutting board and knife (or just a blender) and get ready to make some mouthwatering salsa!

Fermented Foods in Salsa Can be Gentler on your Gut

As a fermented foods company, we talk to thousands of people every year, especially at our weekly farmers markets, so we know first hand that tomatoes can be harsh on the gut.

A way around tomato sensitivity is by consuming them in salsas with probiotic-rich foods like fermented pickles (and the brine), fermented green tomatoes, and fermented garlic. Because the process of fermentation pre-digests foods, they are easier on sensitive stomachs and their nutrients are more absorbable by the small intestine.

We're sharing recipes that are near and dear to our hearts because we love salsa too and want everyone to have a homemade salsa recipe handy that they feel good about - and their gut does too.

If you're looking for a homemade salsa recipe that is easier on the stomach, try using fermented foods in your ingredients. You might just find that it's your new favorite way to enjoy this classic dish!

First, What is a Salsa?

Salsa is a delicious, spicy tomato sauce that can be used for dipping, as a condiment, or even as a main ingredient in recipes. While salsa is typically associated with Mexican cuisine, the truth is that this versatile sauce actually has its origins in Central America.

The origin of salsa

The word "salsa" is derived from the Spanish word for "sauce," and it originally referred to a variety of different sauces made from a variety of different ingredients.

Today, fresh salsa is most commonly made from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro, but there are endless possibilities when it comes to ingredients. Whether you like your salsa mild or extra-spicy, there's a recipe out there for you.

We've included not just one homemade salsa recipe in this blog, but four that include gut friendly ferments in the ingredients. Not only are you getting more fresh veggies on your plate, but also the added bonus of ferments in an easy salsa recipe too.

This is a blog post to save for sure.

How to Make Salsa at Home

You don't need to go out to a restaurant to enjoy those really robust flavors that salsa gives. And if you're tired of store-bought salsa, why not try making your own fresh homemade salsa?

It's actually pretty easy, and homemade salsa tastes so much fresher and more flavorful than the jarred kind. Plus, you can control the ingredients.

The first step is to decide what dishes you're making them for and how spicy you want the flavors.

Then grab a few kitchen tools, like a knife and cutting board, and maybe a food processor or blender and get ready to create your new favorite salsa! It's really that easy. We've even included a few time-saving tips like using canned tomatoes that work when you're in a pinch or when tomatoes are out of season.

Is Blender Salsa Better?

Blended or Diced? What's the best way to make fresh salsa recipes? The choice is yours to make.

Some people say that using a blender is the way to go, similar to restaurant style salsa, while others prefer the traditional method of chopping everything by hand. So which is better?

Blender salsa is not only incredibly easy to make, but it also allows you to customize the ingredients to your liking. And, did we mention that it's also really tasty?!!

There's a few things to consider when deciding which method to use.

First, how much time do you have?

If you're in a hurry, then using a blender might be the way to go. But, if you're looking for a more authentic flavor, then taking the time to chop everything by hand will definitely pay off.

Second, how smooth or chunky do you like your salsa?

If you prefer a smoother consistency, then blending is definitely the way to go. However, if you like your salsa with a little more texture, then chopping everything by hand is probably your best bet.

Finally, consider your ingredients.

If you're using fresh tomatoes and peppers, then they'll probably need to be chopped anyway. On the other hand, if you're using canned or frozen ingredients, then blending might be the easiest option.

So there you have it! There are pros and cons to both.

Now let's dive into some recipes.

Wait...What About Fermented Salsa?

Shouldn't I just make that if it's better for my gut?

You might be thinking, "hmmm... why not just make fermented salsa if I want a healthy gut friendly salsa."

Sure, you could make your own salsa and ferment it. Here's the thing, we know first hand that tomatoes are difficult to ferment, due to their relatively high sugar content. Vegetables and fruit (and yes, tomatoes are a fruit) with high sugar content make extremely lively and fiesty ferments; more can go wrong when fermenting these foods. Assuming you're up for the challenge, there is the time consideration as well.

While fermenting a big jar of salsa at home sounds like an easy way to get probiotics on the plate, we find that most people would rather utilize already fermented foods with their fresh ingredients (chop, dice or blend) and have instant access.

No waiting needed. No wondering if the salsa is actually fermented, good, done and probiotic either.

The recipes in this post help you get more fermented foods in your everyday favorites and meals your family already loves.

Take the stress out of adding in ferments. Ready to dive in?

Pickle de Gallo - a Gut Friendly Pico de Gallo

Pico de gallo, also known as salsa fresca, is a staple of Mexican cuisine. Typically made with fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, this homemade salsa is delicious on everything from tacos to enchiladas and steak to fish.

Our Pickle de Gallo is a gut-friendly alternative that is just as flavorful as the original.

Made with fermented pickles and fermented garlic with a splash of fermented pickle juice, this the best homemade salsa recipe, packed with probiotics that help promote a healthy digestive system.

The fermentation process reduces the acidity of the tomatoes, making Pickle de Gallo easier on the stomach. So if you're looking for a delicious and gut-friendly salsa recipe, give our Pickle de gallo a try!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 Olive My Pickle The Garlic Fermented Pickle - rough chop

• 6 red tomatoes vine ripe- rough chop

• 5 cloves Olive My Pickle Fermented Garlic - chopped

• 1/8 cup Olive My Pickle LiveBrine Pickle Juice (or the brine from The Garlic Pickles)

• 1 Tbsp cilantro - chopped 

• 1 jalapeno, stemmed and seeded - finely diced

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Preparation

1. Roughly chop to desired size the pickles, tomatoes, jalapenos and garlic for a chunky salsa.
2. Add pickle juice and chopped cilantro.
3. Mix well and chill before serving to let the flavors come together!

Kraut & Corn Salsa - your new favorite fermented Mexican Corn Salad

This homemade salsa recipe, also known as Cowboy Caviar, is the perfect accompaniment to any grilled steak, fish, or pork chop. You can even add it to a salad too!

The sweetness of the corn pairs perfectly with the heat of the roasted peppers and onions, making it a perfect accenting side dish for any summer meal.

And best of all, it's quick and easy to make. So next time you're firing up the grill, be sure to add this delicious corn salsa to your menu.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 can corn (15.25oz), you can also use fresh (frozen doesn't work well for this recipe)

• 1/2 red onion - finely diced

• 1/4 cup Olive My Pickle Turmeric + Cumin Kraut plus 2 Tbsp of its brine - chopped

• 1 small red bell pepper - finely diced

• 2 Tbsp Cilantro - chopped

• Juice of 2 Limes

• Salt & pepper - to taste

Preparation

1. Combine diced red onion, red bell pepper, sauerkraut, cilantro, lime juice and corn, along with kraut brine and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Green Tomato Salsa Verde - a flavorful salsa your gut will crave!

Salsa verde is a delicious, versatile sauce that can be used on everything from (gluten free) chips and corn tacos to chicken and fish. But what many people don't know is that salsa verde has a long and interesting history.

The first salsa recipe was probably created by the Aztecs, who used a variety of chili peppers, tomatillos, and other ingredients to make this spicy condiment.

Over time, the recipe for salsa verde changed and evolved, with each region adding its own unique twist. For example, in Mexico City, cooks began adding green tomatoes to the mix, while in Spain, garlic became a popular addition.

Today, there are endless variations of salsa verde, but one of our favorites is this homemade salsa recipe that uses fermented green tomatoes and fermented garlic along side fire roasted tomatoes and green chiles.

The fermentation process along with the roasted chiles adds a depth of flavor that really elevates the dish. You might have a hard time deciding if you're making salsa or salsa verde, so why not just make both!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 green tomatoes - roughly chopped 

• 4 cloves Olive My Pickle Fermented Garlic

• 1 can (4oz) fire roasted green chiles

• 2 Tbsp cilantro - chopped

• Juice of 2 Limes

• 1/2 white onion (roasted preferred) - chopped

• 1/2 jalapeno (roasted preferred) - finely diced

Preparation

1. Combine in blender chopped green tomatoes, garlic, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice.
2. Pulse until desired consistency. We recommended a medium blend with a slightly chunky consistency.

Fresh Tomato Basic Salsa - where the fermented garlic truly shines!

This might be the best homemade salsa recipe that you will ever need. It's fresh, flavorful, and packed with a probiotic punch. Plus, it's super easy to make.

As you could with regular salsa, gather and combine the basic salsa ingredients. The key ingredients here are the ferments. The minced fermented garlic plus a splash of fermented pickle juice (check out our LiveBrine) in place of the salt makes this salsa shine. It's definitely not basic in our book!

Be sure to refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with gluten free tortilla chips like Siete brand or use as a condiment for your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 can (14.5oz) fire roasted diced red tomatoes (14.5oz)

• 1 jalapeno - chopped (remove seeds for less spice)

• 3 Tbsp cilantro - chopped

• 1/2 medium white onion

• Juice of 2 Limes

• Juice of 1 Lemon

• 10 cloves Olive My Pickle Fermented Garlic

• 1-2 tsp salt - to taste (Substitute 1-2 tsp Olive My Pickle LiveBrine to add in more ferments)

• 1 tsp pepper

Preparation

1. Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth. Super easy!

You're all set to make fresh and fermented salsa recipes at home!

So, what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and start whipping up some of these gut-friendly salsas today!

And don’t forget to stock up on your ferments so you always have a healthy snack option on hand. We can’t wait to hear what you think of them.