Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa ( copycat )

There is just something addictive about the combination of tortilla chips and salsa. Especially homemade salsa made with fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes! 

This 5 ingredients Chipotle fresh tomato salsa fit all the boxes for a good salsa. It is super duper easy to fix, and everything is ready in under 15 minutes. 😉

💚Why you will love this recipe 

• Incredibly easy and quick to fix and ready in minutes
• A healthy low calorie condiment - only 15 calories per ¼ cup serving! 
• Incredibly versatile and goes well with anything 
• Highly customizable! 

🍅What you will need 

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions

• Tomatoes - I highly recommend using high-quality, vine-ripen tomatoes. If possible, use tomatoes with lower water content, like Roma, plum, or beefsteak tomatoes. 
• Cilantro - If you can't stand cilantro, simply omit it, or substitute it with parsley.
•  Jalapeño peppers - If sensitive to heat, reduce the amount used and remove the seeds. Or, you can substitute it with green peppers instead. For a spicier version, use serrano peppers in place.
• Lime and lemon juice - Chipotle’s salsa uses a combination of both, but you could choose to use either one of them. Although bottled ones will work, I highly recommend using fresh juice as it makes a huge difference! 
• Maple syrup - An optional ingredient, helps balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and lime and lemon juice. 

🔪How to make 

Simply combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix well. Give it a taste and add more seasonings, if needed. Serve immediately, or let it sit in the fridge for a few hours to let the flavors develop! 

✔Helpful tips 

• Remove seeds and pulp of tomatoes to prevent watery salsa, as most of the water is stored in the seeds and pulp. This step is optional but highly recommended if you use tomatoes with higher water content. 
• Use gloves while coring and chopping the jalapeno peppers if you have sensitive hands. 
• If your salsa turns out to be more watery than your liking, strain it with a colander. You might have to add more lime/lemon juice and salt to bring back the flavors lost. 
• If you have some extra time on hand, let the salsa sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop. 
• Adjust the ratio of the ingredients to your liking! Add more lime/lemon juice for tanginess, salt for saltiness, maple syrup for sweetness, and jalapenos for spiciness. 
• Leftover salsa will last in the fridge for up to 3 days but bear in mind that it will turn more watery the longer it sits. 

🌯How to serve 

Wondering what you can do with this Chipotle fresh tomato salsa other than dipping chips in it? Here are some ideas- 

• Toppings - Use it to top your burrito or tacos, like these TVP tacos or tempeh taco meat. 
• Condiment - Salsa is a must-have condiment for burrito bowls. You could even add them to salad bowls or buddha bowls as a fun condiment. 
• Bread - Use it to top some freshly toasted baguette, and you will have yourself some homemade bruschetta! Or, level up your avocado toast game by topping it with some of this amazing salsa. 
• Salads - I love using it to add extra flavors and texture to my chopped salads and this protein pasta salad. 
• In cooking - you can make some delicious vegan taco pasta with it, or add it to this curry tofu scramble. 

❔Commonly asked questions