Home » Vegetarian Condiments » Easy Homemade Charred Salsa Recipe

Easy Homemade Charred Salsa Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using these links. We appreciate your support!

This easy homemade charred salsa recipe is the perfect way to add some bold and smoky flavors to your favorite dishes! Naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Top view of a small ceramic dish of homemade charred salsa.

❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • This salsa is super fresh and flavorful.
  • You are given four different methods for charring the ingredients needed for this recipe, making it easy to find something that works.
  • Charring some of the ingredients adds depth of flavor and subtle smokiness to this salsa recipe.
  • This charred salsa is naturally plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.
A silver spoon sticking out of a small dish of charred salsa.

🍅 Ingredients and Substitutes

Tomatoes: Standard globe tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or Roma tomatoes work well in this recipe. You can even use grape or cherry tomatoes if that is what you have on hand (just use about 16 of them instead of 4). Leave them unpeeled.

Red onion: Red onion adds some spice and sweetness that differs slightly from yellow and white onions when charred, but use what you have.

Garlic: You can char the garlic cloves with papery skins on or off. Just be certain to remove them before blending.

Jalapeño peppers: These mild green chiles grow even more complex in flavor when charred, their grassy notes morphing into something almost fruity and smoky. While it adds some heat, this charred salsa isn’t super spicy. Feel free the adjust the amount or even the types of peppers to suit your own palate.

Cilantro: Fresh cilantro helps balance the smokier elements of this salsa, but if you are not a fan of cilantro, feel free to give another green herb like parsley a spin, or simply omit it altogether.

Lime juice: A touch of lime juice adds necessary acidity.

Agave nectar: A touch of sweetness adds some balance to this salsa recipe. You can use maple syrup, honey, or sugar instead if you prefer.

Salt: Like most recipes, salt brings out all the flavors in this vibrant salsa. I find one teaspoon of sea salt to be about perfect but feel free to adjust the amount to taste.

Oregano: Dried oregano adds a delightful subtle hit of flavor.

Top view of small tan ceramic dish filled with homemade salsa garnished with fresh cilantro.

🔥 How to Make Charred Tomato Salsa

Various vegetables on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Charred veggies on a baking sheet.
A small blender container filled with charred vegetables.
A small blender container filled with salsa recipes.
Freshly blended salsa.
Top view of a ceramic dish filled with salsa and fresh cilantro.
  1. Start by charring the salsa ingredients using one of the three methods provided in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
  2. Combine the charred ingredients with the remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor.
  3. Pulse or blend until your desired consistency is achieved.
  4. Enjoy!
Our Pick
Kitchen Torch Kitchen Torch

I love using this torch to make charred salsa!

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Fresh charred cilantro in a small ceramic dish.

🌮 Serving Ideas

  • Serve with quesadillas, burritos and tacos.
  • Drizzle over roasted vegetables.
  • Serve with tortilla chips.
  • Top off a baked potato.
  • Serve with rice bowls.
  • Top off eggs.
A large silver spoon jutting out of a small ceramic bowl filled with fresh charred salsa.

💭 Top Tips

  • Make this charred tomato salsa recipe your own by creating the consistency you most like. You can pulse, blend or even hand-chop the ingredients if you prefer.
  • For a more traditional preparation, use a molcajete (mortar and pestle) to prepare this salsa tatemade (charred salsa).
  • Adjust the heat level of this salsa recipe by using the peppers you most prefer.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
A small dish of homemade salsa garnished with fresh cilantro.

🌶️ More Delicious Salsa Recipes

Fresh Salsa

Mango Salsa

Radish Cucumber Salsa

Fresh Salsa Verde

Fermented Bell Pepper Salsa

A silver spoon in a small dish of charred salsa.

Charred Salsa

This easy homemade charred salsa recipe is the perfect way to add some bold and smoky flavors to your favorite dishes! Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
5 from 22 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Kristen Wood

Ingredients

  • 4 fresh tomatoes halved
  • 3 jalapeno peppers halved
  • 1 red onion quartered
  • 4 whole garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro packed, stems removed
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice fresh or bottled
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar or sugar/any sweetener of choice
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

Kitchen Torch Method

  • Place the tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic on a heat-safe baking sheet or pan.
  • Using a kitchen torch, carefully char each ingredient using the flame of the torch, until everything has some black blistery parts.

Gas Burner Method

  • Carefully hold the tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic over the open flame of a gas burner using heat-safe kitchen tongs, until everything has some black blistery parts.

Oven Broiler Method

  • Place an over rack on the top tier of the oven.
  • Turn the broiler on.
  • Place the tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic on a baking sheet.
  • Place the sheet on the top rack of the oven and allow the ingredients to broil until everything has some black blistery parts.

Stovetop Method

  • Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat.
  • Place the tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic into the hot skillet.
  • Allow the ingredients to develop some black blistery parts, while flipping and stirring frequently.

After Charring, Let's Make Salsa!

  • Once the tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic have been charred using one of the methods above, place the charred ingredients into a blender or food process along with the cilantro, lime juice, salt, sweetener and oregano.
  • Gently pulse for a chunkier salsa or blend on high for a smooth salsa.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

A Note About Garlic: I like to char the garlic with the skins on the cloves as I find they soften and steam a little with the skins on. I then remove the skins before the blending step. However, you can peel the garlic prior to charring if you prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 295mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 607IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Recommended Products

Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
Watch Our Latest VideosFollow us on YouTube!
Mention on Instagram!@moon.and.spoon.and.yum

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating