Are you a fan of the salsa that restaurants typically serve alongside tortilla chips? Then, this restaurant-style salsa is the recipe for you! Easy to make in just 5 minutes with a handful of ingredients, this homemade version will quickly become your new favorite. It's vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and naturally sweetened with pineapple!
I have a confession to make.
I am the person at the restaurant ordering extra salsa to go with the chips because let's face it, there's just never enough in the little bowl they give you.
Furthermore, I may or may not have eaten most of the salsa during the making of this post.
If you can relate, then stick around because this recipe is for you.
In fact, after you see how easy it really is to make restaurant-style salsa at home, you'll want to make it all the time.
So, let's get started!
Ingredients you'll need
- Peeled Whole Tomatoes (Canned)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Jalapeno
- Cilantro
- Lime Juice
- Salt
And, now for the surprise ingredient used to sweeten the salsa instead of sugar...
Pineapple!
Not only does the pineapple add an extra boost of flavor, but it also offsets the sharpness of the onion and the heat of the jalapeno without overpowering the whole salsa.
Plus it adds some extra vitamin C. 😉
I chose to use canned pineapple to make things easier, but you can use fresh if you'd like.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
First, add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until desired consistency is reached.
You may have to stop to scrape the sides.
Enjoy right away or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
The flavors will best infuse after a few hours up to 1 day of refrigeration.
Ideas for serving tomato pineapple salsa
Aside from enjoying with your favorite tortilla chips, this salsa is perfect with our vegan nachos and pinto bean tacos.
It's also great with rice bowls or even on your morning tofu scramble.
Storing
Store the salsa in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
For a pico de gallo style salsa, check out our homemade salsa recipe.
More Vegan Dips
Restaurant-Style Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) can pineapple chunks in 100% juice, drained
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 medium jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
- First, add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until desired consistency is reached. You may have to stop to scrape the sides.
- Enjoy right away or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use. The flavors will best infuse after a few hours to 1 day of refrigeration.
(Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs for this recipe)
Suggested Equipment/Tools
Notes
Nutrition
This post originally appeared on Watch Learn Eat on September 14, 2015. It has been republished to reflect both recipe and photo revisions. Changes to the story were also made.
©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and images are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.
Darcie Devlin
This recipe is now a family favorite. It's so good I have to phsycally remove the bowl from my husband!
Sherri Hall
That is hysterical, Darcie! So glad you and your family love the salsa so much! 🙂
Christie
This restaurant style salsa with the pineapple sounds soooo good! I never thought of adding pineapple to my salsas so thanks for the idea Sherri!!!
Sherri Hall
Thanks Christie! It's a nice way to sweeten it naturally. 🙂
valentina
I love when recipes just sort of happen. The pineapple is a fantastic addition! Delicious!
Watch Learn Eat
Thanks Valentina!
Mark, Compass & Fork
The pineapple must add a bit of zing to this. Great idea.
Watch Learn Eat
Thanks Mark!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
YUM! I never thought to add pineapple to salsa but this looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Watch Learn Eat
Thanks Sam! It's so good, you should definitely try it! 🙂
Jenn
I have a severe addiction to chips and salsa. I can not get enough of the stuff! I love the addition of the pineapple in this salsa. Delicious!
Watch Learn Eat
Thanks Jenn! 🙂
Michele
There is someone quite famous that says from chaos comes great things...I always think of that when something great comes out of the blue, totally unplanned despite all the calamity of life unexpected events. Sounds like you had quite a day but this salsa would definitely make me feel better! Thanks! Pinning to make for friday night cocktails!
Watch Learn Eat
Thank you Michele! I hope you enjoy the salsa! 🙂
Kristina
I LOVE restaurant style salsa, adding pineapple is fantastic!
Watch Learn Eat
Thanks Kristina!