Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (2024)

This Roasted Tomato Salsa is easy to make and it’s loaded with roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapenos, bell pepper and cilantro. Roasting tomatoes in the oven brings out their best flavor and the little bit of charring on the roasted veggies adds a fire-roasted layer of flavor. P.S. Roasted salsa is also freezer-friendly!

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (1)

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Roasted Salsa Recipe

When tomatoes are plentiful, we’re all about tomato recipes, from classic Tomato Caprese to Panzanella and Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad. It’s also great to be able to preserve those sweet summer tomatoes. That’s why we are obsessed with this Roasted Tomato Salsa. It’s been on our regular rotation for years.

We make batch after batch of roasted salsa and stash it away in the freezer so we can enjoy it year-round. It keeps really well and when you thaw, it’s just as good as a batch of freshly prepared salsa.

Roasted Tomato Salsa Ingredients

  • Tomatoes – you can use Roma tomatoes or whatever you have on hand.
  • Jalapeno peppers – you can add these to taste or use serrano peppers if you want a spicier salsa.
  • Bell pepper – use red or green. The bell pepper is optional and we add it if we have one on hand.
  • Onions – yellow onions work great, but white onion is a great substitute as well.
  • Garlic – use the cloves from one full head of garlic which is about 10 peeled cloves.
  • Cilantro – use 1 medium bunch of cilantro, rinsed and chopped.
  • Salt – add the salt to taste. We add about 1 Tbsp of fine sea salt.
Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (2)

How to Make Roasted Salsa

  1. Arrange cut tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic cloves on rimmed baking sheets.
  2. Bake at 375˚F for 25 minutes or until tomatoes are soft.
  3. Broil – move the baking sheet to the highest position in the oven and broil for 5 minutes until veggies are slightly charred (check periodically to make sure they don’t burn).
  4. Cool and Process – let the veggies cool for about 20 minutes then transfer in batches to the food processor along with the cilantro and salt. Using a 13-cup food processor, we are able to process in 2 batches, adding half of the ingredients, cilantro, and salt with each batch. Blend to your desired consistency (we like to make sure the onions are finely chopped). Combine both batches in a bowl and season to taste with salt if needed.
  5. Store – Once cooled to room temperature, you can refrigerate or freeze (see make-ahead tips below)
Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (3)

Common Questions

Is Roasted Salsa Spicy?

You get to control the spice level here. It depends on how many jalapenos you add and how spicy they are. We love a spicy roasted salsa that has a nice kick to it.

Can I substitute the bell pepper?

The bell pepper is optional. You can omit it if you don’t have one on hand or prefer not to use it.

Do you peel tomatoes for salsa?

We don’t peel tomatoes and since you are blending the salsa, it isn’t really necessary. You can if you want to and it will come off easier once the tomatoes are roasted.

What are the best tomatoes for salsa?

We use whatever we have on hand, but Roma tomatoes are a good bet. Sometimes we use a variety. Keep in mind the type of tomato can affect the sweetness and color of your salsa.

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (4)

To Serve

There are so many great ways to serve roasted salsa. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Appetizer – serve as a starter or snack with tortilla chips for dipping.
  • Topping – on burritos, Chicken Fajitas, tacos, Nachos, or Tostadas.
  • Breakfast – roasted salsa pairs so well with Scrambled Eggs or any egg-based breakfast such as Breakfast Burritos, on a Breakfast Sandwich or with Breakfast Quesadillas.
Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (5)

Make-Ahead

We have tons of garden tomatoes every year and they’re growing faster than we can eat them, this freezer-friendly salsa is our favorite way to preserve tomatoes.

  • Refrigerator – Once the salsa is at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer – Transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or freezer container (do not overfill, leave a little room for expansion), and squeeze out any excess air which can cause freezer burn. Lay flat and freeze for up to 3 months or longer in a deep freezer.
  • To Thaw – You can thaw in the refrigerator overnight. To speed thaw: set freezer bag in a bowl of cool water for about 2 hours. If you replace the water a couple of times, it will thaw faster.

More Salsa Recipes

If you love homemade salsa, you will find many new favorites here. Salsa is big in our home. Sometimes my husband and I just make a big batch of Cowboy Caviar or this Roasted Tomato Salsa and munch on that instead of dinner.

  • Pico De Gallo
  • Fresh Homemade Salsa (Restaurant-Style)
  • Mango Salsa
  • Spicy Guacamole
  • Ceviche (shrimp salsa)

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe

4.99 from 57 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (7)

Roasted Tomato Salsa is loaded with tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro. This roasted salsa recipe is easy and freezer friendly.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 20 servings (makes about 10 cups)

  • 15-20 medium tomatoes, or 6 to 7 lbs, halved
  • 5-10 jalapeno peppers or serrano peppers*, halved and seeded
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, cut into quarters and seeded, optional
  • 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and quartered
  • 1 head of garlic, about 10 cloves, peeled
  • 1 medium bunch of cilantro
  • 1 Tbsp fine sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange your tomatoes cut-side-up on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the jalapenos, bell pepper, onions, and garlic on a second rimmed baking sheet.

  • Bake for 25 minutes at 375˚F or until tomatoes and onions are soft.

  • Move the rack to the highest position in the oven, set the oven to broil and broil each baking sheet for an additional 3-5 minutes. The tops of the serrano peppers should start to look charred (check on the veggies a couple of times to make sure they don't burn). Remove the baking sheets from the oven being careful not to spill any of the tomato juices that have accumulated.

  • Let vegetables cool down a bit then use a food processor to blend everything together along with one bunch of cilantro, 1 Tbsp of salt, and any tomato juice left in the baking dish (feel free to discard tomato juice for a thicker salsa). We were able to blend in 2 batches in a 13-cup food processor. Combine both batches and season to taste with more salt if needed. Let cool to room temp, then cover and refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition Per Serving

24kcal Calories5g Carbs1g Protein0.2g Fat0.04g Saturated Fat0.1g Polyunsaturated Fat0.03g Monounsaturated Fat354mg Sodium260mg Potassium1g Fiber3g Sugar995IU Vitamin A26mg Vitamin C13mg Calcium0.3mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

24

% Daily Value*

Fat

0.2

g

%

Saturated Fat

0.04

g

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

0.03

g

Potassium

260

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

5

g

2

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

3

g

3

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

995

IU

20

%

Vitamin C

26

mg

32

%

Calcium

13

mg

1

%

Iron

0.3

mg

2

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex

Keyword: roasted salsa, Roasted Tomato Salsa

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 24

This recipe was updated with new photos Sept 2022. Here are the previous photos (we used lighter-colored homegrown tomatoes which gave the salsa a lighter color).

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (8)

Natasha Kravchuk

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you roast tomatoes to remove skin for salsa? ›

Dial the oven up to 425°F and bake until the edges of the tomatoes are well browned. This can take 30-35 minutes. Or you can broil the halved tomatoes 6-8-inches from the heat for 8-12 minutes. Remove when the skins are split and charred.

What makes a good salsa tomato? ›

Roma Tomatoes are a popular choice for salsa-making due to their dense and meaty texture, small number of seeds, and full-of-flavor tanginess. Variations of this tomato are sometimes called “plum” or “paste” tomatoes. Red Beefsteak Tomatoes are another favorite for those who favor a juicier tomato in their salsa.

Why are my roasted tomatoes soggy? ›

Why Are My Roasted Tomatoes Soggy? The main reason roasted tomatoes end up soggy is because they are overcrowded on the pan. Make sure to use a baking sheet large enough to accommodate all the tomatoes with a little breathing room.

What does roasting tomatoes do to the flavor? ›

Roasting tomatoes is a sure way to coax out all the flavor. Oven roasted tomatoes are so much more concentrated and intense in flavor, making them useful in so many ways (like with vegan tomato basil soup and more–lots of ideas below).

What happens if you don't peel tomatoes for salsa? ›

Deciding on keeping tomato skins on or off is really a matter of taste — and how much time you've got on your hands. You don't need to peel them. After all, tomato skins are edible. However, if you're making a chunky salsa, leaving skins on is fine – as long as the texture doesn't bother you.

Which onion is best for salsa? ›

White onion – you can also use a yellow or red onion, but white onion is what is traditionally used to make salsa. Fresh cilantro – I recommend cutting off any large, thick stems, but blending in some of the thin, smaller stems, along with the leaves is totally fine.

What is the key to good salsa? ›

How to Make Fresh, Homemade Salsa & Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Don't Choose the Wrong Tomatoes. ...
  • Always De-Seed Your Tomatoes. ...
  • Do Let It Marinate. ...
  • Don't Forget the Acid. ...
  • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment. ...
  • Choose Your Chips Wisely. ...
  • Salt Yes, Pepper No. ...
  • Save the Dried Herbs for Your Soup.
May 22, 2018

How long does homemade tomato salsa last? ›

Homemade salsa will generally keep for about 5 to 7 days, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated. To further extend the shelf life of salsa, freeze it: Freeze salsa in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

Can I leave roasted tomatoes out overnight? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food and safety basics states cooked food can be left at room temperature up to two hours. If the temperature outside (or inside your house) is 90°F or above, you should cut that time in half.

Do I need to peel tomatoes before roasting? ›

No need to peel the tomatoes before you roast them! This dramatically cuts down the time needed to make your own homemade sauce. No more cooking them over a hot stove, and then forcing them through a sieve to remove all the skins and seeds.

Do roasted tomatoes go bad? ›

Store slow-roasted tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. A wide-mouthed mason jar is great for this. To keep them longer, you can freeze the tomatoes.

Should I salt tomatoes before or after roasting? ›

Before roasting

Olive oil (obviously) and salt to start with. Then, herbs like oregano, fennel (less is more with this one) and thyme and a little chopped chilli (fresh or dried) to taste. Roast whole garlic cloves alongside which will perfume the tomatoes and are gorgeous spread on toast afterwards.

What seasonings taste good on tomatoes? ›

More Spices to Pair with Tomatoes
  • Chili powder.
  • Cayenne pepper.
  • Fennel seeds.
  • Homemade taco seasoning.
  • Homemade fajita seasoning.
  • Homemade Cajun seasoning.
Feb 8, 2021

Should roasted tomatoes be refrigerated? ›

Oven roasted tomatoes will last in your fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. Or you can freeze them as well in a plastic bag for 4-6 months.

Can you roast tomatoes to remove skin? ›

When oven roasting the tomatoes to remove the peels, start by cutting your tomatoes in half and placing them cut side down on a baking tray. Turn your oven grill up high and place your tray several inches below the heat source. Keep them in there for about 10 – 15 minutes, or until the skins start to blacken.

How do you cook tomatoes to get skins off? ›

Avoid using a vegetable peeler to peel your tomatoes, as it will remove part of the tomato flesh along with the skin. The most efficient way to peel tomatoes is to blanch the tomatoes by quickly boiling them in hot water, which helps to loosen the skin from the flesh, and then shock them in an ice bath.

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