By Krista Teigen
Published Apr 9, 2025
I’m a bit of a salsa snob, so I usually make my own. This salsa roja hits the sweet spot between spicy and fresh. It comes together in just 30 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients—roasted in the oven and blended into a bold, flavorful salsa you’ll want on everything. The roasted tomatoes and jalapeños add depth, while the fresh lime juice and cilantro brighten every bite.
<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1salsa-roja-1-10.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Bowl of salsa roja surrounded by tortilla chips, with a chip dipped into the salsa and garnishes like lime and sea salt on the side.
- 4”>
I make this easy blender salsa almost every week, but when I’m craving something with a little more depth, this roasted salsa roja is my go-to. Fresh Roma tomatoes, jalapeños, and warm spices are roasted to bring out a rich, smoky flavor. Then, it’s finished with lime juice and fresh cilantro for bright, zesty notes in every scoop. Whether you’re serving it with tortilla chips, spooning it over tacos, or stirring it into scrambled eggs, this homemade salsa is a total game changer.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 roma tomatoes
- ▢ 1/2 small onion
- ▢ 2 jalapeño peppers*
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic
- ▢ juice of 1/2 lime
- ▢ 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Spread the tomatoes, onion half, and jalapeño peppers out on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Toss to coat.
- Roast for 20 minutes until blistered. Then, broil for 2-3 minutes until charred.
- Transfer the tomatoes, onion half, peppers, and extra juices from the sheet pan to a food processor. Add in the garlic and lime juice.
- Blend until smooth. Add in the cilantro and pulse a few times until incorporated.
- Taste and add more salt, pepper, and/or lime juice if needed.
- Serve with tortilla chips.**
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Cook Salsa Roja Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together and preheat the oven to 400°F.
Prep the vegetables: Grab a large sheet pan and spread out 8 whole Roma tomatoes, ½ small onion, and 2 jalapeños. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, and ½ tsp cumin. Toss to coat each vegetable fully.
Roast the vegetables: Add the sheet pan to the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes until blistered. Switch to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes to get a nice char on the vegetables.
Transfer to a blender: Carefully add the charred veggies and juices from the pan to a food processor or high-powered blender. Add 2 cloves of garlic and the juice of ½ a lime.
Blend until smooth: Blend all the ingredients until you have a smooth consistency. Add ½ cup fresh cilantro and pulse a few times to incorporate.
Taste, adjust, and serve: Give the salsa a quick taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed. Pour it into a serving bowl, chill for extra freshness, and serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!
How to Store
This homemade salsa will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days—if it lasts that long! I like to keep a jar on hand to scoop with chips, spoon over eggs, or add a kick to lunches throughout the week.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this salsa roja as a snack with tortilla chips, especially when friends come over—it always disappears fast. It’s also one of my favorite ways to add a burst of flavor to everyday meals. I’ll spoon it over scrambled eggs or breakfast tacos in the morning, use it as a topping for grilled chicken nachos or even mix it into barbacoa burrito bowls for a little extra kick. It’s super versatile, so I always find myself reaching for it throughout the week. Whether it’s taco night or just a quick lunch, this salsa makes everything taste better.
More salsa recipes to try
Street Corn Salsa
Mango Salsa
Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe
Avocado Corn Salsa
Salsa Roja
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
Ingredients
- 8 roma tomatoes
- 1/2 small onion
- 2 jalapeño peppers*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cloves garlic
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Spread the tomatoes, onion half, and jalapeño peppers out on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Toss to coat.
- Roast for 20 minutes until blistered. Then, broil for 2-3 minutes until charred.
- Transfer the tomatoes, onion half, peppers, and extra juices from the sheet pan to a food processor. Add in the garlic and lime juice.
- Blend until smooth. Add in the cilantro and pulse a few times until incorporated.
- Taste and add more salt, pepper, and/or lime juice if needed.
- Serve with tortilla chips.**
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
