Grab some tortilla chips and treat your taste buds to this simple Smoked Salsa. Using fresh ingredients on the grill to get that smoky flavor is the key to making this delicious salsa a hit. It's a great addition to your next taco night and a must-make for game day. Get all the tasty details below on how to make fresh salsa right at home.
Making new recipes like this on the grill is all part of the fun. Each bite has complex flavor, but it's really a simple salsa to make. And it's amazing how much extra flavor comes from smoking those fresh vegetables first.
Plus, you just have to follow a few simple steps to have this smoky salsa ready and waiting to enjoy. The recipe card proves that anyone can up their homemade salsa game, and this easy recipe is a good one to start with.
Be sure to try this Smoked Onion Dip and this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip for two other easy appetizers or starters.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes - You can use Roma tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or another type of fresh tomato that you like.
- Onions - White, yellow, or red onions all work well.
- Sweet bell pepper - Adds color and a little pop of sweetness to this smoked salsa recipe.
- Chili peppers - Perfect for adding flavor without overpowering the smoky flavor.
- Jalapeño peppers - Add heat and raise the spice level.
- Garlic cloves - For plenty of garlic flavor.
- Fresh lime juice - Balances out the flavors with a hint of citrus.
- Cilantro - Fresh cilantro adds a bright, fresh flavor.
- Salt and black pepper - For seasoning.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Smoked Salsa
Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees.
Step One: Cut up the larger vegetables and then add them directly onto the grill grates. Smoke for one hour.
Step Two: Add the peppers and onions to a food processor. Chop until your desired salsa texture (smooth or chunky).
Step Three: Next, process the tomatoes. Pulse until you get your desired consistency. You can drain out any liquid if you want a thicker salsa.
Step Four: Process the spicy peppers separately. This way you can add as much spice as you want.
Step Five: Combine the chopped vegetables in a mixing bowl. Add the hot peppers slowly, tasting as you go.
Step Six: Add the lime and cilantro. Flavor with salt and pepper.
Step Seven: Serve immediately or chill for later.
Top tip
If you want a chunkier salsa, don't pulse it for as long in the food processor. For a smoother salsa, pulse it a little longer. If the salsa has more liquid than you'd like, simply drain some off before serving.
Substitutions
- Vegetables - You can use different combinations of vegetables for this recipe. Have fun mixing and matching bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and sweet onions to change up the flavor.
Variations
- Jalapeño peppers - Leave these out if you're not a fan of spicy salsa, or swap them for another type of hot pepper.
See this Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe for a fun dip to make during the holidays.
Equipment
To prep the salsa ingredients, you just need a food processor. You'll also want a grill or smoker, a sharp knife, and a cutting board.
Storage
Once the salsa is made, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. I actually think even more flavor comes through the next day after the salsa has had some time to sit and the flavors have melded together.
I don't recommend freezing this salsa because the texture can become a bit mushy and watery once thawed.
Common Questions
There is no limit to making this salsa spicy hot. You can add as much heat as you want by increasing the amount of spicy peppers. Also, adding some cayenne pepper as a seasoning is another simple way. If all else fails, add hot sauce and stir it in to kick up the heat.
Absolutely. Just prep, make, and store in the fridge until you are ready to serve. You may need to give it a good stir before serving if some of the liquid has settled.
Serving it with tortilla chips is always a win, but you can also use it as a topping for tacos, burrito bowls, grilled meats, or even your morning scrambled eggs. We love it with Smoked Carnitas. The thing about making salsa from scratch is that you can add it to just about anything because the fresh vegetables and smoky flavor work with so many dishes.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Smoked Salsa
Equipment
- Traeger Grill or other smoker
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 lb tomatoes
- 1 large sweet bell pepper
- 2 chili peppers
- 2 jalapenos
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 225.
- Cut any large veggies into halves or quarters. Add the vegetables directly onto the grill grates.
- Smoke for one hour.
- Chop the tomatoes, peppers, and onions in batches in a food processor until your desired texture. For a thicker salsa, drain any excess liquid.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions to a bowl. Add the chopped peppers to your desired heat level.
- Add the cilantro and lime.
- Next, salt and pepper the salsa to taste.
Nutrition
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