If you’re looking to elevate your next taco night, homemade salsa verde is the zesty, vibrant solution you’ve been missing. Bursting with bright tomatillo flavor and just the right amount of heat, this classic green salsa is a game-changer for everything from grilled meats to scrambled eggs.
Made with fresh ingredients and blended to your preferred consistency, this salsa is leagues above the store-bought versions. Whether you like it chunky or silky smooth, salsa verde delivers that irresistible tangy punch that makes you keep going back for another scoop.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Salsa Verde
Salsa verde is incredibly versatile and comes together with just a handful of ingredients. You can roast the veggies for extra depth or keep them raw for a fresher kick. Plus, it’s naturally vegan, low-carb, and packed with flavor that enhances any dish. Once you make it at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bought a jar.
What Kind of Tomatillos Should I Use?
Look for tomatillos that are firm, bright green, and still wrapped in their papery husks. Avoid any with dark spots or that feel overly soft. The fresher they are, the more vibrant and tangy your salsa will be. If you can only find canned tomatillos, they’ll work in a pinch, but nothing beats the flavor of fresh ones.
Ingredients for the Homemade Salsa Verde
To make the best salsa verde, you’ll want to stick with fresh, whole ingredients that bring natural brightness and spice.
- Tomatillos
- Jalapeños or Serrano Peppers
- Garlic Cloves
- White Onion
- Cilantro
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Salt
Tomatillos are the star of the show, offering tang and acidity. Jalapeños or Serranos bring the heat, so choose based on your spice preference. Garlic and onion add depth and savoriness, while cilantro infuses fresh, herbal flavor. Lime juice brightens everything up, and salt ties it all together.

How To Make the Homemade Salsa Verde
Step 1: Prep the Tomatillos
Remove the husks from your tomatillos and rinse them well to get rid of their sticky coating.
Step 2: Roast or Boil
For deeper flavor, roast the tomatillos, jalapeños, garlic, and onion in the oven at 425°F until charred, about 15 minutes. For a brighter taste, boil them in water for 8 minutes.
Step 3: Blend
Transfer everything to a blender along with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth or leave it a little chunky, depending on your preference.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Taste your salsa. Add more salt or lime if needed, or an extra pepper if you want more heat. Serve warm or let it chill in the fridge before using.
How to Serve and Store Homemade Salsa Verde
This salsa makes about 2 cups and serves around 6 people as a side or topping. It’s fantastic drizzled over tacos, spooned onto grilled chicken, or used as a dip for tortilla chips. To store, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months, though the texture may change slightly when thawed.
What to Serve With Homemade Salsa Verde?
Tacos Al Pastor
This tangy green salsa balances the sweet-spicy flavor of marinated pork.
Breakfast Burritos
Wake up your morning with a spoonful of salsa verde inside a cheesy egg burrito.
Grilled Chicken
Adds moisture and flavor to simple grilled chicken breasts.
Enchiladas Verdes
Use it as the sauce for chicken or cheese enchiladas.
Nachos
A splash of salsa verde over melty cheese and chips adds brightness and zing.
Rice Bowls
It’s a great drizzle over grain bowls packed with beans, avocado, and veggies.
Chilaquiles
Toss tortilla chips in warm salsa verde and top with eggs or crema for a brunch favorite.
Want More Salsa & Sauce Ideas?
If you love this homemade salsa verde, you’ll want to try some of these other irresistible ideas:
- Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe: A rich and protein-packed alternative to traditional sauces.
- Easy Cajun Cream Sauce Recipe: Perfect with shrimp, chicken, or pasta.
- Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe: A vibrant main dish to serve with simple sauces.
- Steak Tacos with Chipotle Crema: Pair with salsa verde for a double layer of bold flavors.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest salsa board so you can come back to it next time taco night needs a flavorful twist.
Let me know in the comments how you made yours! Did you roast or boil the tomatillos? Add extra garlic or keep it mild?
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and savory sauces on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your next flavor obsession.
Conclusion
Once you try homemade salsa verde, it might just become a weekly staple. It’s fast, fresh, and flexible enough to complement almost anything you cook. Play around with the spice level and preparation style until it perfectly suits your kitchen vibe. And most importantly, enjoy every scoop.

Homemade Salsa Verde
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
Description
This homemade salsa verde recipe is fresh, tangy, and made with roasted tomatillos, jalapeños, garlic, and cilantro. Perfect for tacos, grilled meats, or chips, this zesty green salsa is quick to make and naturally vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb. Learn how to make salsa verde from scratch with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
1 lb tomatillos
2 jalapeños or serrano peppers
2 garlic cloves
1 small white onion
1/2 cup cilantro
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Remove the husks from the tomatillos and rinse them to remove their sticky coating.
2. Roast tomatillos, peppers, garlic, and onion at 425°F for 15 minutes until slightly charred. Alternatively, boil for 8 minutes for a brighter flavor.
3. Transfer to a blender. Add cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
4. Blend until smooth or pulse for a chunkier texture.
5. Taste and adjust salt, lime juice, or add more pepper for extra heat.
6. Serve immediately or chill for later use.
Notes
Roasting adds a smoky flavor, boiling keeps it fresher and brighter.
You can adjust the spice by using more or fewer peppers.
Use a high-speed blender for a super smooth texture or pulse for rustic salsa.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salsa & Sauces
- Method: Roasting or Boiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 12
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 98 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
