Cool and Spicy Salsa Recipes for Summer
We're thinking of a dish, and it's one that is great all on its own, spooned over grilled chicken, tossed in a salad, or scooped up in a tortilla chip. Can you guess what it is?
Related: 7 Homemade Salsa Recipes
That's right: salsa. Served cold and made with fresh ingredients, salsa is one of our favorite summertime dishes. Served alongside tortilla chips and requiring practically no cooking, it's the perfect appetizer to throw together, and in the heat of the summer, when a stifling sauce seems unappealing, it makes an appropriate "jus" for main dishes like grilled shrimp, fish, or steak. Toss it with rice or pasta, or into a salad, and you've instantly added a mouthful of flavor to a dish.
We also love the versatility that salsa provides. Salsas are always served cold and most of them always have a little spice, but beyond that, a recipe for salsa is your oyster, and you can chop, mince, and purée anything fresh you've got on hand to make it your own.
Related: Is This the Spiciest Salsa in the World?
Now, we're not just going to leave you with those words and send you off into the world of salsas all on your own. To get you as excited as we are about salsa, we've got spicy creations to share to give you some inspiration.
Spicy Strawberry-Lime Salsa Recipe
There's nothing better than strawberries during the height of summer, and who's to say they can't be used for salsa, either? This recipe plays on all of the right notes: sweet, spicy, fresh, and citrusy, for a bright and refreshing summer salsa recipe.
INGREDIENTS
4 medium tomatoes, diced
1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
2 jalapeños, diced
2 tablespoons sea salt
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon dried ancho chile powder
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Recipe Details
Servings: 6
Cuisine: American
Grilled Tomato Salsa Recipe
This classic molcajete recipe comes from famed Latin chef Richard Sandoval, and despite it being a chef recipe, it's easy. Using store-bought tomato salsa as a base, it uses fresh tomatoes and spicy serrano peppers to make it fresh and bright.
Click here to see the recipe.
Roasted Green Salsa with Tomatillos Recipe
Green salsa can be made any number of ways, but I think my roasted version is the best. It's a great condiment for Mexican food of all types and a fantastic option on grilled fish, shrimp, or octopus; it also complements roasted chicken deliciously.
Click here to see the recipe.
Simple Smoky Salsa Recipe
This recipe's name is no lie - the secret to simplicity is hot sauce. Combined with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic, the salsa takes on a sultry and smoky flavor that sets it apart from any store-bought variety.
Click here to see the recipe.
-Anne Dolce, The Daily Meal
Click here to see more Summer Salsa Recipes
