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    Home » Recipes » Mexican Inspired

    Published: Jun 19, 2023 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Serrano Salsa

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    Made in minutes with fresh ingredients, this Serrano Salsa is healthy and full of flavor. Customize it to your liking with more or less spice.

    Serrano Salsa with tortilla chips.

    Nothing beats Fresh Salsa. This Serrano Salsa has just the right amount of spice and goes well with tortilla chips or tacos.

    It is made in minutes in a food processor or blender. You can make it chunky or blended depending on your preference.

    I consider this to have a heat level of medium if you were comparing it to store-bought salsa.

    Add it to all your favorite Mexican dishes like Vegan Mini Tostadas, Vegan Nachos with Tofu, Jicama Tacos, or Vegan Fajitas.

    Another salsa to try is my blended Restaurant Style Salsa.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 🍽 Serving
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • More Salsa Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Want to save this recipe?
    • 💬 Comments

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients with labels.
    • Cherry tomatoes: I used cherry tomatoes because I like the sweet flavor and squishy texture. You could use grape tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or any variety you like.
    • Serrano pepper: I used a serrano chile because it adds a lot of heat for such a small package. If serrano peppers are too spicy for you, you could use a jalapeño pepper instead, or leave out the seeds and ribs. If you want it even hotter, you could use a habanero pepper.
    • Red onion: I used a red onion, because I love the pungent flavor it adds, but you could also use a white onion or green onions.
    • Cilantro: To me, salsa just isn't salsa if it doesn't have cilantro, but I know for some people it tastes like soap. If you are one of those people you could use fresh parsley instead.
    • Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
    • Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is another ingredient that makes it salsa for me. If you can't use lime juice for some reason, you could use lemon juice instead.
    • Salt: Enhances flavors.

    This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Salsa ingredients in a food processor before and after mixing,
    1. Put plum tomatoes, serrano pepper, red onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and salt in a food processor or high-speed blender.
    2. Pulse until desired consistency is achieved.

    💭 Tips

    • It's better to use the pulse setting on a food processor so that you can control how chunky the salsa is.
    • If you like mild salsa you can swap out the serrano pepper for a jalapeño, or you could take out the veins and seeds of the serrano pepper. The veins and seeds are where the heat is in a pepper.

    🥡 Storage

    This serrano pepper salsa recipe will last up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Serrano Salsa on a plate with tortilla chips.

    🍽 Serving

    • Vegan Tofu Tacos
    • Bean and Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burritos
    • Vegan Taquitos with Green Chiles
    • Refried Bean Quesadillas
    • Tofu Enchiladas

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    Are serrano peppers hot?

    Serrano peppers are hotter than a jalapeño. They are not as hot as a habanero pepper.

    Which is better for salsa - a jalapeño pepper or a serrano pepper?

    It depends on your spice tolerance. Serrano pepper is hotter than a jalapeño making it a great choice.

    More Salsa Recipes

    • Restaurant Style Salsa
      Restaurant Style Salsa
    • Mango Habanero Salsa on a plate with tortilla chips.
      Mango Habanero Salsa
    • Cucumber Salsa
      Cucumber Pico de Gallo
    • Pico de Gallo
      Pico de Gallo

    If you tried this Serrano Salsa Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    I originally posted this recipe on Jan. 22, 2015. I added new photos and text when I republished it.

    📋 Recipe

    Serrano Salsa on a plate with tortilla chips.
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    5 from 2 votes

    Serrano Salsa

    Made in minutes with fresh ingredients, this Serrano Salsa is healthy and full of flavor. Customize it to your liking with more or less spice.
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mexican inspired
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 10
    Calories 13kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups)
    • ½ a serrano pepper (1 teaspoon)
    • ½ cup red onion
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
    • 1 small clove garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice (½ lime)
    • Salt
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Put ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the desired consistency is achieved.
    • Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Mexican Inspired

    • Vegan Black Bean Jicama Tacos
      Vegan Black Bean Jicama Tacos
    • Tofu Nacho Cheese
      Tofu Nacho Cheese Sauce
    • Vegan Chilaquiles
      Vegan Chilaquiles
    • Chipotle Cream
      Chipotle Cashew Cream

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    Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willow Moon and Create Mindfully with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All photos and artwork are property of Willow Moon and Create Mindfully. Do not duplicate or copy without proper consent.

    Serrano Salsa photo with text.