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!
Alana says
Thanks for the inspiration! I used this and added some sweetcorn for a bit of sweet crunch – worked really well.
Pamela says
That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing Alana!
Fannie Knife says
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thanks for providing these details.
Marti Bell Wright says
Can I pulse this up in a blender?
Pamela says
You can, just make sure not to over pulse.
BEV FRASER says
First time making salsa so want to make it mild but also hot for the second kind. I am planning to bottle it for a craft bake sale. To make it hot should I add one or two jalapino peppers?
Thanks
Bev
Pamela says
I would just add one jalapeno pepper, including seeds, if you want to make it hot.
Donna Y says
Add minced garlic and replace the salt with lowrys garlic salt!! Also, adding pickled jalapeños adds a zing.
Pamela says
I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe Donna, thanks for sharing your tweaks!
Aquaria says
Doubled the recipe. Because Texas, and we put salsa on EVERYTHING.
Used two cans fire roasted with garlic diced tomatoes, 1 Mexican diced (it’s a Texas thing), and one diced tomatoes with green chiles.
Didn’t feel like messing with the food processor, so I used a potato masher on the diced tomatoes. Then I used it on the onions before adding them. I like chunky salsa, so this worked fine for me.
Replaced the green peppers with some more green chiles that were lurking in my pantry.
Added a can of chipotles with adobe sauce..
Now the salsa is perfect.
James says
Trying this on the weekend. I am sure you can add other items as you see fit–but this recipe is classic.
Thanks for this—coming from a father that aims to please!
Pamela says
Hey James, hope everyone enjoys the salsa!
Jenn says
Thanks for the recipe! Just so you know the colors are really hard on the eyes…
Justine says
Should you drain the tomatoes first?
Pamela says
Hey Justine, there’s no need to drain the tomatoes. Enjoy!
justine says
your recipe is down!!
mary says
can I also add diced celery to this salsa.
Pamela says
Absolutely – enjoy Mary!
Jennifer says
Just made it using Walmart fire roasted tomatoes and fresh jalapeños. Also added dash of olive oil and a pinch of sugar. Doubt I will ever buy jar salsa again. You can definitely make this using a different variety of canned tomatoes. I even thought of adding black beans and corn. Great recipe.
Pamela says
Hey Jennifer, glad you enjoyed this recipe! It’s great with black beans and corn too! I even love adding a can of diced green chiles to it too!
Kelly says
Love salsa and this one looks so fresh and delicious! Canned tomatoes sounds like a great idea – totally craving a big bowl of this with chips now!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Pam, I’m very happy to see this recipe here (love anything that’s easier but still super tasty!) I love the lime juice and chunky peppers and onions you’ve added. Pinning this for my next salsa craving!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
I had no idea you could make salsa from canned tomatoes! I learn something new every day and I’m really glad I learned this trick! YUM!
Anna says
Would never have thought to use tinned tomato, always use fresh. I will have to have a crack at this recipe. 🙂
Allison says
Ah! Great idea using the canned tomatoes! Sometimes they are always the “freshest” during the off season anyways!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This looks like the perfect salsa! Great recipe for the summer!
miss messy says
Super idea! I’d never thought of this! 🙂
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
Funny enough, it’s my 2-year-old & 4-year-old who are the big salsa eaters in my house. It’s outrageously expensive homemade from the local grocery store and you don’t get nearly as much!
I love using fresh tomatoes in season, but out of season, the canned ones are still pretty good. Loving that cat lurking in the background, too too cute!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
I love salsa, always a staple for parties, new season premieres and get togethers! Canned tomatoes are so much easier to use!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
sometimes tinned tomatoes can taste way better than fresh ones!
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
Oooh I just love salsa, this looks delicious!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
Such a great idea to make salsa with canned tomatoes! This looks so fresh and delicious. I want a big bowl with chips right now!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I have had fresh salsa—-and loved it. But now I realize hey I can do this myself.
I would much rather do that. Thank you.
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
This salsa looks so fresh – I just want to dive right in!
Bri | Bites of Bri says
This salsa has my mouth watering! That’s a pretty cute helper you have there!
Liz says
My sister makes the best salsa from canned tomatoes, too! You’ve inspired me to whip up a batch 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
So smart! Why didn’t I think of that! And sometimes I just don’t feel like cutting up a ton of tomatoes! Pamela to the rescue!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
What a good photography helper Goblin is! This salsa looks wonderful. I could eat it all summer long 🙂
Mary Frances says
I always use fresh tomatoes when I make salsa, it feels almost essential. But if the canned ones are good too, I’ll give them a try 🙂
Pam says
Simple and delicious. I love homemade salsa!