FAST and EASY Canned Salsa made with canned diced tomatoes! Just add green peppers and onions to this simple recipe, and you’ll have a delicious chunky salsa ready to serve in minutes!
Canned Salsa Recipe
Sure, you can get canned salsa at the grocery store, but making your own with this perfect salsa recipe using canned diced tomatoes and fresh ingredients will make each bite that much better. It will be just as good (if not better) as restaurant-style salsa! Serve this with tortilla chips, on top of breakfast tacos or (the easiest) chicken nachos, or even with huevos rancheros.
This easy salsa recipe is a go-to during the garden off season because it uses canned tomatoes — no fresh tomatoes needed! If your pantry is stocked with canned diced tomatoes, you’re just minutes away from a flavorful homemade salsa.
It’s a great recipe for beginners, but even seasoned salsa makers will appreciate how quick and convenient it is. Feeding a crowd? Just double the batch and you’re set!
The Best Canned Salsa Recipe
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s as simple as placing all of your salsa ingredients into a food processor, and that’s it. No need to make a mess and dirty dishes by chopping up fresh tomatoes on the chopping block. All you need are canned tomatoes to drop in the food processor and you’re good to go!
This is the best homemade salsa because it’s super delicious with notes of lime, garlic, and fresh cilantro. A touch of black pepper and red pepper flakes along with the onions take this salsa to the next level.
How to Make Canned Salsa
Place all of the ingredients into a food processor.
Start with three pulses and then check to see if it’s a consistency you’re happy with. If not, pulse more. Pulsing more will make it very smooth and less will make it a thicker chunky salsa.
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 4 to 6 days. For the best flavor and texture, try to enjoy it within the first few days.
Can I make this recipe with fresh tomatoes?
Absolutely. Just swap the 2 cans of diced tomatoes with 2 pounds of tomatoes. You should also check out my favorite fresh tomato salsa we make with our garden tomatoes in the Summer!
How can I make this salsa spicier?
If you are a fan of extra spicy salsa, there are a few options you can add to kick up the heat.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper or 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a mild kick. Increase to 1/2 teaspoon if you want it extra bold.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of diced green chiles for a smoky heat.
- Finely chop and add 1/2 to 1 small jalapeño pepper, depending on how spicy you like it. For even more heat, leave in the seeds.
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Canned Diced Tomato Salsa
PrintIngredients
- 2 (14.5 ounce cans) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced
- 1/4 cup green pepper finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into the food processor and pulse a few times. Start out with 3 pulses and then decide what consistency you want from there. Pulse more for a very smooth salsa, pulse less for a chunky salsa. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Cherie Johnston says
This recipe is delicious! The answer will probably be no, but I thought I’d ask anyways. Is there any possibility of freezing a couple of quart bags of this? I don’t know if we can eat all of the salsa so quickly otherwise
Emilia says
This was so good and easy. Ashamed as a Texan that’s it’s taken me this long to blend my own salsa. Next time I’ll move beyond canned. But this was so good maybe I won’t even bother.
Adana Fishback says
Loved it! I substituted a large jalapeño pepper for the red pepper flakes, and added extra cilantro ( because you can never have to much cilantro!) Very yummy, and easy too!
Pamela Reed says
So happy you liked this salsa! And I agree, give me all that cilantro! 🙂
Bea Kind says
Looks super simple and delicious! Regarding your ingredients list, by green peppersl, so you mean green bell pepper?
Pamela Reed says
Yup!
Charlene says
If I want to can this salsa what changes do I need to adjust
Adana Fishback says
This is some of the best salsa that I’ve ever made! And I already had everything to make it except for the green pepper, but I did have a jalapeño pepper that I used instead. Will definitely be saving this recipe!
Kay klenner says
First time making for me easy as and so tasty substituted lime for lemon as had no lime. Yummy
Mike says
Excellent! Love the smell from the lime juice and cilantro! Salsa has a great flavor and super easy to put together. I followed the recipe and only thing I’ll change next time is to saute the garlic and onion before adding. Just a personal preference. Thank You Pamela!
Pamela Reed says
I’m a lover of all things lime juice and cilantro too! So happy you liked the salsa Mike, thanks for stopping by and letting me know! 🙂
Dee Dee says
I know that this is easyvenought that it can be made quickly but Ibwoukd like to make it and give it as gifts. How would I go about canning this salsa?
Karen Ritz says
I’m hosting a Cinco de Mayo fiesta and I’m using canned tomatoes. I’m making it a day ahead so the flavors meld. Thank you for the ideas!
Me says
The recipes I’ve seen so far look yummy.
Pamela Reed says
Thank you! Hope you try some more! 🙂
Sarah Bishop says
What are the canning instructions to make this salsa shelf stable?
Dorothy says
can I can this kind of salsa so lasts longer please send answer to email thankyou
Patricia Kaylee Rea says
I love this recipe
Don says
I love salsa and this is the easiest and best salsa I have ever made! Add a jalapeno for a little heat!
Karin Warren says
Can this salsa be put in a water bath and canned for later use? Or does something else need to be added to the recipe if you are going to can it for storage?
Catherine says
Karin: Canning salsa is a little more complicated than canning plain tomatoes. Adding onion, garlic, and peppers decreases the acid level, and makes it unsafe for canning in a boiling water bath. You will need to can it in a pressure canner. Refer to Ball Blue Book, or the website for USDA Home Canning Methods. Since this recipe makes a small amount , using commercially canned tomatoes and other pantry items, it is easy to make a batch when you want it, so canning for long-term storage is not necessary.
Ashlee says
Can this be done without the lime juice?
Pamela says
Yes, you can skip the lime juice if you prefer.
Elizabeth says
Looks so good! How many days can this stay in the fridge?
Pamela says
I’d use it up within 5 days. Hope this helps!
Barb says
Can jalapeños be added to this recipe ?
Pamela says
Absolutely! Finely chop one up for some heat. 🙂
JP says
Drain the tomatoes first… very good salsa
Pamela says
Happy to hear you liked this salsa JP! Thanks for commenting!