Making salsa with fresh tomatoes is easy! Sweet, juicy tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, lime juice and zest, and diced jalapeño peppers are all you need for this simple yet flavorful raw salsa recipe.

Making Salsa With Fresh Tomatoes
This easy salsa recipe with fresh tomatoes happens to be my very favorite summertime recipe. Skip the store-bought seasoning packets and make this with ingredients straight from your garden or farmer's market. Our friends and family ask for it whenever they come over!
Pico de gallo, salsa fresca, or raw salsa, whatever you want to call it, the BEST part about this recipe is it doesn't require a lot of dishes or utensils. That's especially important to me during the summer, you know? I mean, when it’s beautiful outside, the LAST thing I feel like doing is slaving over the sink!
Actually, I could make a case for this any time of the year -- but most especially on gorgeous summer days...
Using Fresh Ingredients For Salsa
For the very best salsa, gather up the freshest ingredients you can find. You'll need:
- juicy, ripe tomatoes - use your favorite variety! I prefer Roma tomatoes, but I've even used cherry tomatoes when my grocery store's offerings were slim.
- diced red onion - my family is typically not big on raw onions. However red onions are a little sweeter than others and the fine dice allows the bite to dissipate as the salsa marinates.
- a jalapeno pepper - for just a little heat, remove the ribs and seeds before dicing. Leaving them makes spicier salsa. Or if you want to make your salsa really hot, swap them for a serrano pepper or two!
- chopped cilantro - if you truly hate cilantro, you can try swapping it for Italian parsley or just leave it out.
- a lime - I prefer to use organic limes, because I use both the juice and the zest in my salsa.
Recipe For Salsa With Fresh Tomatoes
To be honest, I don't really have a fresh tomato salsa RECIPE, per se. It's more about chopping and dicing and mixing, then a little tasting and adjusting until it's just right.
But in the spirit of giving you a starting point, I did write down how much of each ingredient I used the last time I made it...
Be sure to taste your salsa with tortilla chips as you're making your adjustments to the salt and lime juice. You probably need less salt than you think once your salsa is paired with a salty chip!
My number one rule for making fresh tomato salsa? Wear rubber gloves when dicing your jalapeño peppers!
I made the mistake of not wearing them -- and then I accidentally touched my lips. Ouch! And not only that, but then I rubbed my nose... Oh man, LESSON LEARNED!!
At the very least, wash your hands well as soon as you finish chopping them. Then enjoy!
Salsa With Fresh Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 6 Roma Tomatoes diced
- 1 small red onion finely diced (about ½ cup)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and finely diced*
- 1 small lime zested and juiced
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to incorporate.
- Taste with tortilla chips when adjusting the salt to account for the saltiness of the chips. I typically start with ½ teaspoon and go from there.
- Serve this fresh tomato salsa with chips (try these homemade tortilla chips!), on top of tacos, or spooned over scrambled eggs.
Tips & Suggestions
Featured Products
More tasty fresh salsa recipes:
- Watermelon Salsa Recipe -- Light and fresh, with a touch of sweetness, this watermelon salsa is amazing on your favorite tortilla chips. Turn up the heat with diced jalapeño chile peppers or make it milder with Anaheim chile peppers. Either way, it's a winner!
- Pineapple Salsa Recipe -- Serve your guests up a heaping bowl of this easy pineapple salsa recipe at your next cookout! The sweet and spicy flavor is delicious with your favorite tortilla chips or pairs perfectly as a refreshing topper for grilled chicken, pork, and fish...
More Tasty Fresh Salsa Recipes
If you like this salsa with fresh tomatoes, you might also enjoy these other delicious salsa recipes:
- Watermelon Salsa Recipe -- light and fresh, with a touch of sweetness, this watermelon salsa is amazing on your favorite tortilla chips!
- Pineapple Salsa Recipe -- this sweet and spicy salsa is delicious with your favorite tortilla chips or it also pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, pork, and fish!
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your fresh tomato salsa turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
veefx says
I love fresh salsa and that looks like a mighty fine knife!
veefx says
I love fresh salsa and that looks like a mighty fine knife!
webdesignvalley says
Gorgeous photos!
Yumvilla says
So much better than store bought!
MEAL5 says
I love this recipes! SO simple and packed with flavor!
Marilyn Arnold says
We call this Pico De Gallo
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Yep, it's also known as pico de gallo, salsa fresco (fresh salsa), and salsa mexicana. It's delicious whatever you want to call it!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Gorgeous photos! I love fresh salsa and that looks like a mighty fine knife!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Fresh salsa ALWAYS beats out jarred! Yum!
Kristen says
I love salsa with fresh tomatoes (and my Chicago Cutlery knives!)
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Everything tastes better with a big ol' spoonful of fresh made salsa!
Paula - bell'alimento says
There's not much better than fresh salsa. Now where are the chips ; )
Angie says
I adore fresh tomato salsa!
Cassie says
We love fresh salsa - a favorite snack in our house. And we love our Chicago Cutlery knives, could not live without them!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
I love homemade salsa! So much better than store bought!
Samina says
Yum! I can't stand the jarred stuff since I started making it fresh. My version is similar to yours, but I add scallions & a bit of olive oil to mine. The scallions are very flavorful & the salsa always gets rave reviews.
Elizabeth @Food Ramblings says
i heart fresh salsa
Natalie says
I always love a good salsa recipe! I had to laugh at your jalapeño story....I was chopping some this Saturday and managed to get the "juice" inside my nose. Can I just tell you that I thought I was going to die!!?? Incredible pain and burning that lasted for an hour! I will definitely wear rubber gloves from now on!!