Marry This Pioneer Woman Chipotle Salsa Recipe is a smoky and zesty recipe, which is made with chipotle peppers in adobo and diced tomatoes. It’s a great choice for parties, ready in about 10 minutes plus chilling time.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Chipotle Salsa Recipe Ingredients
- Two 15-ounce cans of diced tomatoes
- One 10- or 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 to 3 (depending on your heat tolerance) chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, stems roughly removed
- 1 medium onion, diced
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chipotle Salsa Recipe
- Combine Ingredients: Place all ingredients—the diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, lime juice, cumin, salt, sugar, black pepper, chipotle peppers, cilantro, and diced onion—into the bowl of a food processor or a blender.
- Blend to Desired Consistency: Pulse the mixture until it reaches your desired texture. For a chunkier salsa, use just a few short pulses. For a smoother, restaurant-style salsa, blend for longer.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the salsa and adjust the seasonings if needed. You might want to add more salt, lime juice, or another chipotle pepper for more heat.
- Chill Before Serving: For the best flavor, transfer the salsa to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
Recipe Tips
- How do I control the spice level? The heat comes entirely from the chipotle peppers in adobo. Start with just one pepper, blend, and taste. If you want more smoky heat, add another. Remember that the adobo sauce they are packed in is also spicy.
- Why does the salsa need to chill? Letting the salsa rest in the refrigerator for a few hours is a crucial step. It allows the flavors of the onion, garlic, cilantro, and peppers to fully meld together, resulting in a much more balanced and flavorful salsa.
- Can I use fresh tomatoes? Yes, you can use about 4 cups of fresh, chopped tomatoes (like Roma tomatoes) instead of the canned ones. However, canned tomatoes often provide a more consistent, deeper flavor for this style of salsa.
- How do I get the best cilantro flavor? Use fresh cilantro, including the tender upper stems, which are full of flavor. Avoid using the thick, tough lower stems.
What To Serve With Chipotle Salsa
This smoky and zesty salsa is perfect as:
- A dip for tortilla chips
- A topping for tacos, burritos, or nachos
- A sauce for grilled chicken, steak, or fish
- A mix-in for scrambled eggs or quesadillas
How To Store Chipotle Salsa
Refrigerate: Store the salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to a week, and the flavor often gets even better after a day or two.
Chipotle Salsa Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 10 kcal
- Protein: 0.5g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What are chipotle peppers in adobo?
They are smoked and dried jalapeño peppers that are rehydrated and canned in a sweet and tangy red sauce made from tomatoes, vinegar, and spices. You can find them in small cans in the international or Mexican food aisle of most grocery stores.
Can I make this without a food processor or blender?
Yes. For a chunkier, pico de gallo-style salsa, you can finely dice all the ingredients by hand and mix them together in a bowl.
Why add sugar to salsa?
Just a small amount of sugar doesn’t make the salsa sweet. Instead, it helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and lime juice, creating a more well-rounded flavor profile.
Pioneer Woman Chipotle Salsa Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings10
minutes10
kcalA bold and zesty salsa that blends smoky chipotle peppers with tomatoes, lime juice, and fresh cilantro in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Two 15-ounce cans of diced tomatoes
One 10- or 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes with green chiles
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo
1 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 medium onion, diced
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender.
- Blend or pulse until the salsa reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Transfer to an airtight container and chill for at least 3 hours before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
- Control the Heat: Start with just one chipotle pepper and add more to taste, as they can be quite spicy.
- Fresh is Best: For the brightest taste, use fresh cilantro and fresh lime juice.
- Let it Rest: The flavor of the salsa will improve significantly after it has had time to sit and chill in the refrigerator.
- Versatile Use: This salsa is not just a dip; it’s also a fantastic topping for tacos or a sauce for grilled meats.
