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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

    5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant Style)

    Modified: Apr 17, 2025 · Published: May 11, 2020 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    5 Minute Restaurant Style Blender Salsa.

    Is there anything better than visiting your favorite Mexican restaurant and being welcomed with fresh chips and salsa? Recreate that moment at home with this easy, 5 minute Blender Salsa recipe!  

    Looking down at a bowl of salsa with a spoon in it, surrounded by tortilla chips.
    Jump to:
    • What's in Blender Salsa?
    • How to Make Blender Salsa with Canned Tomatoes
    • Recipe Tips
    • Cocktails to Sip with Your Chips and Salsa
    • Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • 5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant Style) Recipe

    Every member of my family makes a version of this easy Blender Salsa and has for decades. It's the best homemade salsa recipe! Full of simple ingredients and made in less than 5 minutes, this is one of my most requested recipe. I love to make it as part of weekend meal prep, so we have fresh salsa at the ready for Taco Tuesday with our favorite tortilla chips.

    This restaurant style salsa is super quick to make and perfect for your next taco night. It's SO much better than store-bought salsa from your local grocery store. Since it's made using a lot of pantry ingredients it's a great option for a last minute game day snack or as an appetizer the next time you host a party. 

    This is not like pico de gallo or a chunky salsa. The blender will break everything down quickly, making it a more uniform, restaurant-style salsa with very small pieces. 

    Looking for other salsa options? Try my Black Bean Mango Salsa or this Fresh Mango Peach Salsa.

    What's in Blender Salsa?

    Ingredients for blender salsa with canned tomatoes.
    • Diced tomatoes, canned - This recipe is designed to be made with a single 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes. However, you can easily swap this out for fresh tomatoes by using two cups of diced fresh tomatoes instead.
    • Lime juice - Fresh squeezed always tastes best, however bottled lime juice works well in this recipe as well.
    • Garlic powder - This gives the salsa flavor without the kick of raw, fresh garlic. Feel free to swap the garlic powder for a peeled clove of garlic if you're looking to add a little heat. 
    • Salt - This salsa needs some salt, but since everyone's palette is different you'll want to taste the salsa and add more salt if needed.
    • Small onion - I usually use a yellow onion in this recipe, but any kind will work.
    • Fresh cilantro - A key ingredient that adds a fresh flavor to the salsa.
    • Jalapeño pepper (optional) - This salsa is delicious without any spice, but if you prefer a little heat in your salsa, add in a jalapeño pepper when blending.

    How to Make Blender Salsa with Canned Tomatoes

    Peel the onion and cut it into quarters. 

    If using, cut the jalapeño in half and remove the stem. If desired, remove the seeds and ribs as well to reduce the heat of the pepper.  

    Pour the can of tomatoes into the blender. Add in the remaining ingredients in the order listed in the recipe. 

    A blender container filled with onion, tomatoes, spices, and cilantro.

    Blend by pulsing your blender for a few seconds until everything is well combined.

    Taste salsa and add salt if desired. 

    Blender Salsa being poured into a serving dish.

    Enjoy immediately or chill until ready to serve. Store leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

    Recipe Tips

    • If you prefer larger pieces of cilantro in your salsa, omit it from the blender and instead chop the cilantro and stir it into the salsa after you’ve blended it. 
    • This salsa can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.
    • Don't have a blender? Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and process until chopped and combined. 

    Cocktails to Sip with Your Chips and Salsa

    I can't pass up good tequila cocktails! To go with your chips and salsa, sip a classic margarita, a frozen mango margarita or a classic Paloma cocktail.

    Frozen Mango Margaritas
    Frozen Mango Margaritas
    Paloma
    Paloma

    Make Homemade Tortilla Chips

    Making your own homemade tortilla chips takes only 3 ingredients and is easier than you think! Get all the instructions for the best corn tortilla chips.

    Plate full of tortilla chips

    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

    • Quick and Easy Black Bean Mango Salsa
    • Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe
    • Avocado Corn Salad
    • Easy Frozen Mango Margaritas (Without Ice)
    • Fresh Mango Peach Salsa
    • Refreshing Blackberry Margarita Recipe

    Print the Recipe Card

    A bowl of salsa with a spoon in it, surrounded by tortilla chips.

    5 Minute Blender Salsa (Restaurant Style) Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    This easy blender salsa recipe uses a panty staple - canned tomatoes - with fresh ingredients like cilantro and lime juice to create a delicious restaurant-style salsa that's ready in 5 minutes. 
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    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 8 servings

    Equipment

    • Chef's Knife
    • Countertop Blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 - 15 oz can diced tomatoes do not drain
    • 1 teaspoon lime juice fresh squeezed
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 small onion
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro packed
    • 1 jalapeño optional

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the onion and cut it into quarters. 
      1 small onion
    • If using, cut the jalapeño in half. Remove the stem and seeds.  
      1 jalapeño
    • Pour the can of tomatoes into the blender. Add in the remaining ingredients in the order listed above. 
      1 - 15 oz can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon salt, ½ cup fresh cilantro
    • Blend by pulsing your blender for a few seconds until everything is well combined.
    • Taste salsa and add salt if desired. 
    • Serve with your favorite tortilla chips. 

    Notes

    Use Fresh Tomatoes: Swap the canned tomatoes for 2 cups roughly chopped fresh tomatoes, if desired. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 8kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.04gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 619mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    32 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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