Little Walnut Cottage

This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If you love salsa and are looking for a quick recipe you can make with pantry staples, this homemade salsa with canned tomatoes is for you! Canned crushed tomatoes are mixed with fresh herbs, onions, garlic, and lime juice for a bright and smooth salsa that’s just like what you get at restaurants.

I didn’t eat at a Mexican restauraunt until I was in high school.

*Gasp*

I know. It’s the actual horror.

We did have salsa at our house, though. But I didn’t like it.

Specifically, I didn’t like the huge chunks. It was just too much. They were too crunchy. They ruined chips. I thought I didn’t like salsa at all.

Then I went to a Mexican restaurant and tried the smooth salsa they bring you in the little pourable cups and thought, “Where has this been all my life?” It had all the bright flavors I wanted to enjoy with canned salsa, but without all the chip-ruining chunks!

I knew there was no way I could chop my own tomatoes that small, so I started making homemade salsa with canned tomatoes, and it was perfect.

By using canned tomatoes, you don’t have to rely on tomatoes being in season, which is a must. I opt for crushed tomatoes because they give the smoothest texture without missing out on any of the bright, tomatoey flavor! It’s really all the best things about salsa, plus all you have to do is open a can and pour.

Anyone can do that. Let me show you how.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

• It comes together in just minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
• Canned tomatoes make it easy to enjoy homemade salsa any time of year. No need to worry about sad, watery tomatoes in February!
• The flavor is fresh, bright, and perfectly balanced thanks to fresh lime juice and cilantro.
• It’s easy to adjust the spice level to your preference; just leave out the cumin and jalapeno for sensitive palates.
• Perfect for tacos, enchiladas, taco casseroles, and dipping chips.

Why Use Canned Tomatoes for Salsa?

Fresh tomatoes are great for salsa, but sometimes you just don’t have time to chop them up, and oftentimes, they just aren’t in season. Have you ever had salsa made with sad February tomatoes? Bleck. Canned tomatoes are picked and processed at peak ripeness, which means they often have better flavor than out-of-season fresh tomatoes.

This homemade salsa with canned tomatoes uses crushed tomatoes as the base, creating a smooth, restaurant-style salsa that’s perfect for dipping or spooning over your favorite dishes. Using crushed tomatoes also makes it more appealing to little ones who can be put off by the chunks of larger tomatoes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This homemade salsa with canned tomatoes uses simple ingredients that take just 5 minutes to bring together!

• Cumin – Adds a subtle warm, earthy note.
• Crushed canned tomatoes – The base of the salsa that provides rich tomato flavor.
• Onion – Adds sharpness and texture.
• Fresh cilantro – Brings a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
• Garlic – Adds savory depth.
• Lime juice – Brightens the salsa and balances the flavors.
• Jalapeño – Provides heat and classic salsa flavor.
• Salt – Enhances all of the ingredients.
• Sugar – Balances acidity from the tomatoes and lime.

How to Make Homemade Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients. Finely dice the onion and jalapeño, mince the garlic, and chop the fresh cilantro.

Step 2: Combine the ingredients. In a medium bowl, add the crushed tomatoes, diced onion, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, sugar, diced jalapeño, and cumin.

Step 3: Mix the salsa. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 4: Taste and adjust. Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more salt, lime juice, or jalapeño.

Step 5: Let the flavors develop. For the best flavor, cover the salsa and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Step 6: Serve. Serve chilled with tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican-inspired meals.

Tips for the Best Homemade Salsa

• Use good-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Let the salsa rest in the refrigerator before serving so the flavors can develop.
• Adjust the jalapeño depending on how spicy you want the salsa.
• If you prefer a smoother salsa, pulse it briefly in a food processor.
• Fresh lime juice makes a noticeable difference in flavor, so don’t skip this part!.

Ways to Use Homemade Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

This homemade salsa with canned tomatoes is perfect:

• Served with tortilla chips
• Topped on tacos or burritos
• With our taco casserole recipe or quinoa enchilada casserole
• Combined with our homemade taco seasoning in place of cumin
• Added to breakfast burritos
• Used as a topping for nachos

How to Store Homemade Salsa

Store homemade salsa with canned tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Stir before serving as the ingredients may settle slightly.

FAQs about Homemade Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

Can you make Homemade salsa with canned tomatoes?

Yes, canned tomatoes work very well for salsa and are often used to create smooth, restaurant-style salsa! They are convenient and have a consistent, fresh flavor year-round. In this recipe I use crushed tomatoes but you can replace half or all of the crushed tomatoes with petite diced tomatoes for a chunky salsa.

What type of canned tomatoes work best for salsa?

Crushed tomatoes are ideal for this recipe because they create a smooth base while still maintaining a little texture. You can swap half of all of the crushed tomatoes with petite diced tomatoes if you’d like.

How can I make homemade salsa spicier?

To increase the heat, add extra jalapeño, include the seeds, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Homemade Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

This homemade salsa with canned tomatoes is a quick and flavorful way to make fresh salsa using simple pantry ingredients. Crushed tomatoes are combined with onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, jalapeño, and spices to create a bright, zesty salsa that’s perfect for chips, tacos, and Mexican-inspired dishes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, dip

Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

  

• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup red onion, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 3/4-1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp sugar

Instructions

 

• Combine the ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, add the crushed tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, sugar, and cumin.
• Mix the salsa. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
• Taste and adjust seasoning. Taste the salsa and adjust the salt, lime juice, or jalapeño if needed.
• Let the flavors develop. For the best flavor, cover the salsa and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving so the ingredients have time to meld together.`
• Serve. Serve the salsa chilled with tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican dishes.

Keyword homemade salsa with canned tomatoes

You’ll Never Go Back to Store-Bought!

Once you start making homemade salsa with canned tomatoes, you’ll never be tempted to buy store-bought again. This salsa comes together in just 5 minutes and is the perfect addition to all of your favorite Mexican dishes. Plus, the smooth texture makes it ideal for kids who can be averse to chunky tomatoes. Let me know how you plan to use it in the comments!

Check Out these Cottage Favorites:

Taco Casserole Recipe

Easy quinoa Enchilada Casserole (Slow Cooker or Oven-Baked)

How to Make your Own Taco Seasoning (5 Minute Recipe!)