• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Simply Low Cal
  • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Dish
    • Dips, Dressings & Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Instant Pot
    • Recipe Roundups & Downloads
    • Salads
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
    • Snack
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes +
  • Easy Main Dishes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes +
    • Easy Main Dishes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers

    Low Calorie Salsa

    Published: June 15, 2019 · Modified: September 6, 2023 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    196 shares
    • Share
    • Yum
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest pin of low calorie salsa.

    Make restaurant style salsa from the comfort of your kitchen with this Low Calorie Salsa recipe. Served with a basket of crunchy tortilla chips, this is the type of fresh salsa you can't stop eating.

    Salsa in a bowl with tortilla chips on the side.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • Other Dip Recipes You'll Love
    • Low Calorie Salsa
    • #respond

    Check out my Instant Pot Salsa and my Greek Yogurt Cucumber Dill Dip for more delicious dip recipes.

    Can you make fresh tomato salsa in a blender? Of course, and these step-by-step instructions will show you exactly how to make it happen with any blender or food processor.

    There’s not much work involved to make this low calorie salsa because the blender takes over, processing the ingredients perfectly.

    There are no surprises in this simple salsa recipe. It’s made with seven straightforward flavors, tomato, onion, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, lime, and salt resulting in that vibrant, fresh, and zesty taste you just cannot get from a jar of store-bought salsa.

    Salsa in a bowl set on a kitchen towel.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • It’s quick and easy. It takes less than 5 minutes to make with very little prep work.
    • It’s made with fresh, all-natural ingredients.
    • You’re in control of the heat. You can make this salsa anywhere from mild to blazing hot.
    • This salsa is perfect as an appetizer with chips and a condiment with your favorite Mexican-inspired meals.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Labeled ingredients for the blender salsa.
    • Tomatoes: The best tomatoes for salsa are thick, fleshy tomatoes like plum, Roma, or beefsteak. They hold less water resulting in a smooth, cohesive salsa. 
    • Onion: White onion is standard, but feel free to use yellow or red onion here. 
    • Jalapeño: Gives the salsa just the right amount of fiery flavor.
    • Garlic: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable in restaurant-quality salsa. No substitutions! 
    • Cilantro: For that sweet, crisp, and herbaceous taste signature to good salsa. 
    • Limes: The fresh acidic element ties the individual flavors into a balanced, full-bodied salsa. 
    • Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt, if you have it!  I like salt in my salsa, but you can always cut back. I suggest starting with at least 1 teaspoon, adding more to taste.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Steps to make the blender salsa.

    Step 1: Prep produce. Wash and dry your fresh ingredients. Dice the tomato and roughly chop the onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Remember, most of the jalapeño’s spice is in the membrane and seeds. So, to tone down the heat, make sure you remove them.

    Step 2: Add salsa ingredients to the blender. Add the chopped onion, jalapeño, and garlic to your blender, followed by the diced tomatoes. Toss in a heap of cilantro (no need to chop!). Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and season with a big pinch of salt.

    Step 3: Blend to desired consistency. Power on your equipment and blend for 60 seconds, give or take 15 seconds, depending on how thick you like your salsa. Season with more salt to taste, and enjoy!

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    A tortilla chip dipped in salsa.

    Expert Tips

    • Make it mild or hot. Use more or less of the jalapeño seeds and membrane to adjust how spicy your salsa is. You can also cool things off by swapping jalapeño for green bell pepper or poblanos. 
    • Give the salsa time to chill before serving. After blending, pour the salsa into a glass container, cover it, and set it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (overnight is ideal). This gives the flavors more time to mingle and combine.
    • Adjust consistency to preference. For smooth, restaurant-style salsa, blend the mixture continuously. For chunky salsa with visible bits of vegetables, give the ingredients quick pulses instead of mixing straight through.

    Variations

    The simplicity of this easy blender salsa makes it a perfect canvas for your choice of added fresh ingredients and flavors.

    • Dry seasoning: Add an element of smokey heat with cumin, chipotle chili powder, cayenne, or smoked paprika. 
    • Fresh fruit: If you like salsa with sweet, fruity tones, add fresh fruit to the blender, like chopped pineapple, mango, or peaches.  
    • Roasted vegetables: For salsa with a more rustic, savory flavor, try roasting the onions, tomato, jalapeños, and garlic before blending.

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Keep extra blender salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

    Freezing: To extend the shelf-life of homemade salsa, you can always freeze it for 2-3 months. Let thaw in the fridge, then wake up the flavors with a fresh squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt before serving.

    Recipe FAQ's

    Can I make this salsa with canned tomatoes?

    Fresh tomatoes are always the better choice when in season, but off-season canned diced tomatoes are a perfectly suitable substitution. Try using a can of fire-roasted tomatoes or tomatoes with green chiles for another flavor element.

    What is the difference between this salsa and salsa roja?

    In Spanish, salsa roja means “red sauce,” so it’s an umbrella term for any type of tomato-based red salsa made with raw or cooked (or both) ingredients. That being said, this blender salsa falls underneath the salsa roja category.

    Other Dip Recipes You'll Love

    • Thumbnail of spicy black bean hummus.
      Spicy Black Bean Hummus
    • Thumbnail of pea guacamole.
      Pea Guacamole

    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter!

    Thumbnail of low calorie salsa.

    Low Calorie Salsa

    4.97 from 28 votes
    By Kate
    Make restaurant style salsa from the comfort of your kitchen with this low calorie salsa recipe. Served with a basket of crunchy tortilla chips, this is the type of fresh salsa you can't stop eating
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep 3 minutes mins
    Blender Time 2 minutes mins
    Total 5 minutes mins
    Servings 7 Servings
    Calories 56kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Special Equipment

    • Food Processor
    • Cutting Boards
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Citrus Squeezer

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 pounds tomatoes diced
    • 1 small white onion roughly chopped
    • 1 jalapeño pepper roughly chopped, remove seeds for less spice
    • 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
    • ½ cup cilantro
    • 2 limes juiced
    • 2 teaspoons salt

    Instructions
     

    • Wash Wash and dry your fresh ingredients. Dice the tomato and roughly chop the onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Remember, most of the jalapeño’s spice is in the membrane and seeds. So, to tone down the heat, make sure you remove them.
    • Add the chopped onion, jalapeño, and garlic to your blender, followed by the diced tomatoes. Toss in a heap of cilantro (no need to chop!). Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and season with a big pinch of salt.
    • Blend for about 60 seconds, or until desired consistency.

    Notes

    • Use more or less of the jalapeño seeds and membrane to adjust how spicy your salsa is. You can also cool things off by swapping jalapeño for green bell pepper or poblanos.
    • After blending, pour the salsa into a glass container, cover it, and set it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (overnight is ideal). This gives the flavors more time to mingle and combine.
    • For smooth, restaurant-style salsa, blend the mixture continuously. For chunky salsa with visible bits of vegetables, give the ingredients quick pulses instead of mixing straight through.
    • Storing: Keep extra blender salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
    • Freezing: To extend the shelf-life of homemade salsa, you can always freeze it for 2-3 months. Let thaw in the fridge, then wake up the flavors with a fresh squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gSodium: 1000mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Tried this recipe?Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!
    Signature.

    More Appetizers

    • Thumbnail of zucchini fritters.
      Low Calorie Zucchini Fritters
    • air fryer mashed potatoes thumbnail picture.
      Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls
    • Thumbnail of low calorie garlic bread.
      Low Calorie Garlic Bread
    • Thumbnail of smoked buffalo chicken dip.
      Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip
    196 shares
    • Share
    • Yum
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Candice

      April 01, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      This recipe is officially on repeat! So easy to make and incredibly delicious Such a great stack to have on hand in the refrigerator. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    2. Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy

      April 01, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      I'm currently low carb'ing at the moment so this salsa will comes in handy for sure. Thank you!!

      Reply
    3. cyndy

      April 01, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      This was so easy - love it! We added a bit of chipotle to ours too.

      Reply
    4. Catherine

      April 01, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      Nothing beats homemade salsa! This is perfect now since it's made with canned tomatoes too!

      Reply
    5. Chris Collins

      April 01, 2020 at 3:28 pm

      I love how easy this is to make! It looks so delicious too 🙂

      Reply
    6. Julia

      December 15, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      Nothing better than a homemade salsa! Can't wait to try your recipe!

      Reply
    7. Traci

      December 15, 2019 at 3:14 pm

      A tried and true favorite! So easy and so delcious 🙂 Where was blender salsa back in the day, LOL! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    8. Anita

      December 15, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      This is such a simple and straightforward salsa recipe. And it's so much better than store-bought. Now I won't have to worry running out of salsa for my chips. 🙂

      Reply
    9. Adrianne

      December 15, 2019 at 10:13 am

      This salsa has got all of the ingredients that I love for salsa in it!! The jalapeno is spot on!! Can't wait to try it, cheers!

      Reply
    10. Tisha

      December 15, 2019 at 8:12 am

      Chips and salsa is always a favorite, you can never go wrong with this appetizer. Homemade salsa trumps store bought any day!

      Reply
    11. Colleen | Bakes & Blunders

      July 29, 2019 at 9:08 pm

      I love salsa. I love easy. This is perfection!

      Reply
    4.97 from 28 votes (17 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Pinterest pin of low calorie salsa.
    Headshot of Kate the blog owner

    Hi and welcome! Simply Low Cal is the blog about DELICIOUS low calorie recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks that anyone can make. You will find plenty of healthy recipes for anyone. About Me

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Thumbnail of low calorie banana bread.
      Low Calorie Banana Bread
    • Thumbnail of low calorie chicken noodle soup.
      Low Calorie Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Thumbnail of healthy snow cone syrup.
      Healthy Snow Cone Syrup
    • Thumbnail of 100 calorie blueberry muffins.
      100 Calorie Blueberry Muffins
    • Thumbnail of low calorie protein shake.
      Low Calorie Protein Shake
    • Thumbnail of PBfit soft gluten free cookies.
      PBfit Soft Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

    THE BEST OF WINTER

    • Thumbnail of low calorie hot chocolate.
      Low Calorie Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
    • Thumbnail of low calorie pecan pie.
      Low Calorie Pecan Pie
    • Thumbnail of low calorie gingerbread latte.
      Low Calorie Gingerbread Latte
    • Thumbnail of low calorie mashed cauliflower.
      Low Calorie Mashed Cauliflower
    • Thumbnail of low calorie snickerdoodle latte.
      Low Calorie Snickerdoodle Latte
    • Thumbnail of low calorie broccoli cheddar soup.
      Low Calorie Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    FEATURED IN

    as seen in.

    Footer

    Pinterest pin of low calorie salsa.

    ↑ back to top

    Featured In

    as seen in banner.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! For emails and updates

    Contact

    • [email protected]

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    © 2025 SIMPLY LOW CAL | MAMA IS WORKING LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.