• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to recipes navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Blog
  • Contact

Brooklyn Farm Girl

Cooking And Gardening in NYC

PopularStewed Tomatoes
let's be friends
join my free recipe club!
  • New? Start Here
  • recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Dinner
      • Drinks
      • Side Dishes
      • Snacks
    • Type
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Breads
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes
      • Casseroles
      • Cheesy
      • Cookies
      • Dips
      • Donuts
      • Holidays
      • Kid Friendly
      • Mac and Cheese
      • Muffins
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Potluck
      • Salads
      • Smoothies
      • Sneaky Vegetables
      • Soups
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Meat
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • Method
      • Baked
      • Canning
      • Drying & Storing
      • Freezing
      • Instant Pot
      • Roasted
      • Slow Cooker
      • Stovetop
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
  • Vegetable Index
  • Urban Gardening
    • Let’s Harvest
    • Tutorials
    • Seed Calendar
    • Compost in Brooklyn
  • About Me
    • About Pamela
    • Our Garden
    • Editorial Guidelines
  • Life & motherhood
    • Journal
    • Motherhood
    • Our Upstate Adventure
    • Cats, Cats, Cats
    • Crafts
  • Videos
  • PopularStewed Tomatoes
Home » Recipe Type » Snacks
5 from 9 reviews

Fresh Tomato Salsa

10 minutes
cilantrogreen peppersoniontomato
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:12/11/20
Updated:4/16/25
Jump to Recipe

Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa made in a food processor using ripe Roma tomatoes, green bell peppers, onion, and a touch of jalapeño for flavor. This quick homemade salsa recipe comes together in minutes and is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or serving alongside tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican dishes. Garden-fresh and packed with flavor!

tomato salsa with green peppers and onions in blue bowl with tortilla chips

The Best Fresh Salsa with Roma Tomatoes

This is our go to favorite Summer time salsa with our garden fresh tomatoes! Serve with your favorite tortilla chips (or be extra and make homemade tortilla chips) on serve on top of my ridiculously easy chicken nachos!

This salsa is peak fresh. It’s loaded with garden tomatoes, crisp onions, and just the right amount of lime and cilantro to make everything pop. It’s the kind of salsa that doesn’t need anything fancy—just real, simple ingredients that taste just like summer.

Don’t have a garden? That’s ok. Pick up the ingredients at the farmers market on your next visit and then rush home to make this homemade salsa!

Because I love tomatoes, check out my  fresh tomato recipe collection. Make sure to try my Fresh Roma Tomato Soup and Fresh Tomato Tart next!

What is the best tomato for salsa?

Roma (or plum) tomatoes are the best for salsa because they’re meaty, not too juicy, and have fewer seeds. That means you get a thicker, less watery salsa with great flavor. Whether you’re making fresh or cooked salsa, Romas always hold up and taste great.

roma tomatoes in blue bowl

How To Make

Cut each roma tomato up into about 12 pieces. You’re using the whole tomato, skin and flesh.

roma tomatoes being chopped up with sharp knife on cutting board

Then throw them into the food processor and pulse 8 times. You can pulse 6 times and then check to see if the consistency is good enough for you. But usually 8 pulses is the magic number for us. If you don’t have a food processor you can chop it up by hand, dicing them into small, even pieces with a sharp knife.

roma tomatoes being poured into food processor

After pulsing, pour the tomatoes into a large bowl.

Chop up the green pepper and onion finely with a sharp knife. I know it would be easier to throw everything into the food processor together, but I would suggest not doing that as I find they become mushy quick and lose their crunch.

Now add cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes into the bowl.

spoon mixing onions and green peppers and spices with tomatoes in glass mixing bowl

Then mix it all together. Boom! Bam! Wam! Tada! Wasn’t that so easy? Enjoy your fresh salsa!

plate with bowl of salsa and corn tortilla chips

What if I don’t have a food processor?

No worries! Simply use a blender, or chop the tomatoes up by hand, trying to finely chop them as small as possible. This will take some extra time, but it’ll be just as delicious!

Can I make salsa without cilantro?

This is a common question I’m asked because shockingly not everyone loves cilantro. I love it, but I get it. If you aren’t a cilantro fan, you can just skip it.

Pin for later:

  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
Free Recipe Club
5 from 9 reviews

Fresh Tomato Salsa with Roma Tomatoes

Print
Easy Fresh Tomato Salsa made in a food processor using ripe Roma tomatoes, green bell peppers, onion, and a touch of jalapeño for flavor. This quick homemade salsa recipe comes together in minutes and is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or serving alongside tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican dishes. Garden-fresh and packed with flavor!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 10 minutes minutes
serves 12

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds roma tomatoes chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper finely diced
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Place your tomatoes into a food processor and pulse 6-8 times, or until they reach a good salsa consistency. Depending on the size of your food processor you might have to do this in 2 batches. Transfer to a bowl once processed.
  • Add the chopped up green pepper and onion into the bowl with the tomatoes.
  • Add cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes into the bowl and mix until everything is combined.
  • Serve with tortilla chips or on top of your favorite Mexican meal!

Video:

Notes

This makes 32 ounces of salsa.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 14kcal (1%)
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: fresh tomato salsa
Summer
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

Similar Recipes

  • 99+ Ways to Cook with Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
  • Roma Tomato Sauce
  • Fresh Tomato Soup
  • Fresh Tomato Soup

Reader Interactions

join the free recipe club

Receive My Favorite Recipes Straight To Your Inbox!

Thank you for subscribing!

5 from 9 votes (8 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

I love hearing from you! Submit your question or recipe review here. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made this? Rate this recipe:





  1. Sondra says

    July 24, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    I’ve always been too afraid to make my own salsa, thinking there was no way I could match my favorite store-bought salsa. THANK YOU for such a delicious – and totally doable – fresh tomato salsa recipe! I prefer recipes that don’t have a long ingredient list. Your recipe checks all the boxes: fresh, simple, delicious!

    Reply
  2. Callumlyne says

    February 23, 2022 at 8:07 am

    Hey there,
    I like your recipe is just great with all those fresh ingredients. I have been experimenting with adding some very finely chopped garlic along with a little extra virgin olive oil and a touch of vinegar.

    Reply
  3. ruby says

    August 15, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    iam happy that i can make sala before mill

    Reply
  4. Sonya Young says

    October 7, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    Can you freeze the salsa?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 8, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Hey Sonya, I’ve never frozen salsa so I can’t help you there.

      Reply
  5. Christina says

    September 18, 2020 at 10:17 am

    I just made my second batch of salsa since it disappeared so quickly! My husband said it was the best salsa he has ever had. I agree! I substituted a fresh jalapeño from the garden and it gave it just the right heat. This is our new family favorite.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 21, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      This makes me so happy to hear Christina! I’m so glad your family is loving this salsa! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  6. John Michelle says

    February 2, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    Pam, I like your recipe is just great with all those fresh ingredients. I have been experimenting with adding some very finely chopped garlic along with a little extra virgin olive oil and a touch of vinegar. I prefer Asian vinegar as it is not quite as tart. Keep up the good work. John Michelle

    ps lemon juice works also

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      February 4, 2019 at 11:39 am

      Hey Joan, I’m so happy to hear you like this salsa! Thank you for commenting – I love that touch of garlic you add in!

      Reply
  7. keira says

    September 5, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Love it and sounds yummy…

    There is nothing better than salsa
    Beautiful color and wonderful flavors!

    Reply
  8. caroline says

    August 17, 2018 at 11:39 am

    I just made this salsa for my church group and everyone loved it! 2 ladies even wanted the recipe! Thanks Pamela!

    Reply
  9. Louise says

    August 17, 2018 at 10:30 am

    What, no garlic???

    Reply
  10. Joan says

    August 17, 2018 at 1:36 am

    What! No jalapeños? This is not a true salsa.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2018 at 8:45 am

      Hey Joan, feel free to add some diced jalapenos in the salsa if you’d like! We prefer red pepper flakes in ours.

      Reply
  11. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

    August 16, 2018 at 8:20 am

    This recipe is gorgeous! I think homemade salsa and chips would be a perfectly great dinner on a night like tonight when it is supposed to be 95 degrees, right?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 16, 2018 at 9:57 am

      It would be the perfect salsa! Hope you enjoy it Kate!

      Reply
  12. helen adams says

    August 16, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 16, 2018 at 9:57 am

      Of course, hope you like the salsa Helen!

      Reply
  13. MIke says

    August 29, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    You show a bulb of Garlic in one of the photos but no garlic is listed on your ingredients list?

    Garlic or no garlic?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 29, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      Hi Mike, that’s a onion straight from the garden, not garlic. 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply
  14. Sarah says

    August 3, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Do you have instructions for canning salsa? Also, I have many more beef steak type if tomatoes than Roma. Will they work as well or oh use Roma?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 3, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      Hi Sarah, roma and plum tomatoes are best because they have less seeds and less juice making it a less watery salsa. You can use beef tomatoes but it will be more liquidy so I recommend straining the tomatoes after pulsing them to remove the excess water.

      Reply
  15. Tricia says

    August 12, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    Love it and sounds yummy…

    I am so ready to have enough tomatoes to start canning our salsa this year.

    But thank you for helping me decide to grow cilantro in my garden next year.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 12, 2013 at 11:23 pm

      Enjoy your tomatoes Tricia! 🙂

      Reply
  16. BRENDA says

    August 10, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    I have a recipe that oyou use a jar of salsa to make QUICK tacos I might make this up and see how it works for the quick taco recipe, IF IT MAKES IT THAT FAR. LOL It might hit the counter and the chips might just fall out of the cupboard.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 10, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      Hahaha, I know the feeling. Before I can even put it into a mason jar to store, there are hands and chips dipping into the salsa. Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    August 7, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    There is nothing better than salsa made with just picked ingredients.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 7, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      I agree Karen!

      Reply
  18. jackie @ Marin mama cooks says

    August 7, 2013 at 9:27 am

    Hi Pamela. This salsa looks amazing and it’s so vibrant in color. I’m in MN right now and I tried to find ripe tomatoes the other day thinking it would be easy, but their tomatoes are not ripe at all. Everything is still hard here which surprises me. They had a long winter, so maybe thats the case. I’ve been spoiled by my California crops. We’ve had ripe tomatoes since May and they are only getting better. You must be doing something right because you have such an abundance of tomatoes and they look gorgeous! Totally going to make up some of this salsa when we return from vacation. xoxo, Jackie

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 7, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Hey Jackie, I hope you guys are having a great trip and that you are taking a bunch of pictures to share on the blog! Our tomatoes usually start turning red in late June and last until about September. I know in some places though it’s been a rough season with the temperature being so extreme then chillier, causing the tomatoes utter confusion. Have a great time and talk to you soon! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Debra says

    August 7, 2013 at 5:54 am

    Oh, how I need tomato growing tips. 🙁

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 7, 2013 at 10:12 am

      Sending you good luck tomato vibes! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    August 7, 2013 at 4:10 am

    wow Peak Summer Salsa! Beautiful colour and wonderful flavours!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 7, 2013 at 10:12 am

      Thanks Angie!

      Reply
  21. Nik@ABrownTable says

    August 6, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    That is one vibrant and delicious looking salsa.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 6, 2013 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks Nik!

      Reply
  22. Pam says

    August 6, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    My kind of salsa! It looks delicious, especially since you used home grown tomatoes.

    Reply
  23. Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says

    August 6, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Love chunky salsa! This salsa I could drink from a bowl!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:34 pm

      Hahaha, loving your comment, have fun! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says

    August 6, 2013 at 7:44 am

    This does look like the quintessential summer salsa that I long for! Definitely have to try it out.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:33 pm

      I hope you do Kim, enjoy your salsa! 🙂

      Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

welcome!

Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

Read More

join the free
recipe club!

Receive My Favorite Recipes Straight to Your Inbox!

Thank you for subscribing!

TOP POSTS

Half Sour Pickles

The Best Stewed Tomatoes Ever

Unstuffed Bell Pepper Casserole with Ground Beef

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce

Recipe Index
Vegetable Index
Follow On Facebook
Follow On Instagram
Free Recipe Club

fresh this week view all

How to Store and Freeze Fresh Blueberries

Irish Potato Candy (Pennsylvania Dutch)

Classic Stuffed Peppers

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

As Featured On
free recipe club!
Get weekly recipes, videos, and gardening tips to your inbox!
join the club!
EST. 2013
let's be friends
  • Recipe Index
  • Veggie Index
  • Urban Gardening
  • Web Stories
Back To Top
© 2025 - All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled

join the recipe club!

Receive My Favorite Recipes Straight to Your Inbox!

Thank you for subscribing!

20.5K shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.