How to Choose the Best Tomatoes for Salsa (PLUS 3 Recipes to Try!)

Tomatoes are in season from Late June until October, so they are particularly tasty this time of year!

How to Choose the Best Tomatoes for Salsa

Depending on where you shop, you could see 5-10 different kinds of tomatoes in your produce section. But which kinds of tomatoes should you use for salsa? Typically, tomato varieties that are less juicy and more fleshy are ideal for salsa because they contribute to that ideal chunky texture. In this article, I’ll break down the most common varieties of tomatoes and their qualities to help you make the salsa of your dreams!

1. Roma Tomatoes

Roma tomatoes are one of the most popular tomatoes for salsa making! They are fleshy, thick-skinned, and have fewer seeds/juice than other tomato varieties. These tomatoes have relatively higher acid and sugar contents, meaning that they are very flavorful!

2. Beefsteak Tomatoes

Similar to roma tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes have more flesh than they have juice. They are known to have a ‘meaty’ texture and are larger and more acidic than roma tomatoes. 

3. Grape Tomatoes

Grape tomatoes, not to be confused with cherry tomatoes, are an excellent choice for salsa! They are slightly less sweet than the previously mentioned tomato varieties, but their thick skins and inner flesh make for an excellent chunky salsa. 

Cherry tomatoes are sweeter, smaller, and juicier than grape tomatoes, making them ideal for a salsa with more juice and seeds.

4. Canned Tomatoes

Short on time? Canned tomatoes are just as flavorful and nutritious as fresh tomatoes! To use canned tomatoes in salsa, I recommend thoroughly draining them before adding them to your recipe. For the best flavor, I would choose a fire roasted, pre-diced can over other available options.

5. Tomatillos

Tomatillos aren’t technically tomatoes, but bear with me! Tomatillos are a staple for salsa verde, which is tangier and more citrusy than salsa made from red tomatoes. Tomatillos are more acidic and less sweet than tomatoes. They are on the fleshier side with few seeds/juice. 

Salsa Recipes

Now onto the recipes! Below you will find three recipes using some of the tomatoes discussed in the article. Serve any of them with chips, tacos, and more.

Garden Salsa

• 3 roma tomatoes

• 1 Jalapeno 

• ½ of a medium red onion

• ½ of a bunch of cilantro, chopped (about ½ a cup)

• Juice from 2 limes (around 3 tbsp)

• Salt, pepper, and cumin to taste

Dice the tomatoes and red onion. Remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno and dice. Chop up the cilantro into small pieces. Add the prepared ingredients, as well as the lime juice and spices, to a medium bowl. Stir and enjoy!

Tomatillo salsa

• 6 medium tomatillos with the husks removed

• 4 cloves of garlic 

• ½ of a large white onion (about ½ a cup)

• ½ of a bunch of cilantro (about ½ a cup)

• 1 serrano pepper

• 1 jalapeno 

• Lime juice from 4 limes (around 6 tbsp)

• A pinch of salt to taste, optional 

Remove the papery, outer, husks from the tomatillos and roughly chop. Peel and dice the onion. Mince the garlic cloves. Chop the cilantro. Remove the seeds and ribs form the serrano pepper and jalapeno, then dice. Add all the prepared ingredients and lime juice to a blender and blend until the ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. Stir and enjoy!

Avocado salsa

• ½ a red onion

• 2 ripe but firm avocados 

• 2 cups grape tomatoes

• 2 cloves of garlic

• ¼ cup cilantro 

• 1 jalapeno

• Juice from 4 limes (around 6 tbsp)

• ½ tsp cumin

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Dice the red onion, avocado, and grape tomatoes. Mince the garlic. Chop the cilantro. Remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno, then dice. Add the prepared ingredients, as well as the remaining ingredients to a small bowl. Mix and enjoy!

https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/summer-produce-guide/    

https://naturesproduce.com/encyclopedia/roma-tomatoes/ 

https://minnetonkaorchards.com/beefsteak-tomato/ 

https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-grape-and-cherry-tomatoes-word-of-mouth-206683 

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-are-tomatillos

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Written by Sarah Haaser

Hey, I'm Sarah!

I am an undergraduate senior at Purdue University majoring in Nutrition & Dietetics. I enjoy trying new recipes and thrifting when I’m not in class or studying!  Learn more about the HSH offerings here.