By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on January 13, 2024 | Last Updated on January 13, 2024
El chicos salsa recipe is a popular Mexican-style salsa made with fresh tomatoes, chili peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro. It is perfect for adding a spicy kick to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more.
This simple recipe is a great way to get creative with your cooking and impress your guests with something delicious. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. Read on to learn more about this tasty salsa and how to make it yourself.
What is El Chicos Salsa?
In the American South, there is a series of restaurants called El Chico. In 1940, the first restaurant in Dallas, Texas’s Oak Lawn neighborhood debuted. There are sixteen places. Numerous Tex-Mex dishes are offered by the restaurant.
This famous El chicos has the best salsa you can ever ask for. The salsa El chicos recipe is a Mexican-style salsa made with fresh tomatoes, chili peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro.
It is a great way to spice up your tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. The flavors of the chili peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro blend together to create a unique and flavorful salsa that will give your dishes a Mexican-style kick.
You’ll also like the following Dinner recipes!
What Does It Taste Like?
El chicos salsa recipe has a bold and spicy flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. The combination of the chili peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro give this salsa a unique flavor that will add a Mexican-style kick to your dishes.
The Ingredients
- Freshly Picked Cilantro Leaves: Minced cilantro leaves add a burst of herbal freshness, infusing the salsa with a distinctive and bright flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
- Fire-Roasted Green Chilies: These chilies bring a smoky and spicy kick to the salsa, elevating its flavor profile with a depth of heat and a slightly charred, earthy essence.
- Vine-Ripened Tomatoes: These tomatoes, whether fresh heirloom or fire-roasted canned, serve as the base of the salsa, providing a rich, juicy, and vibrant flavor. They contribute to the overall body and texture of the salsa.
- Sweet Vidalia Onion: Finely chopped, the sweet Vidalia onion offers a mild yet distinct flavor profile, complementing the tomatoes and adding a delicate sweetness to balance the tanginess.
- Himalayan Pink Salt: The addition of Himalayan pink salt imparts a delicate mineral flavor while simultaneously enhancing and balancing the overall taste of the salsa.
- Freshly Ground Tellicherry Black Pepper: Tellicherry black pepper provides bold, aromatic notes that contribute to the salsa’s depth of flavor, offering a mild heat and earthy undertones.
- Organic Cane Sugar: A touch of organic cane sugar is added for a natural hint of sweetness, harmonizing the flavors and balancing the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar.
- High-Quality Apple Cider Vinegar: The apple cider vinegar introduces tanginess and depth to the salsa, contributing acidity that brightens the overall taste while adding complexity to its flavor profile.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes
If using fresh tomatoes:
- Begin by thoroughly washing the vine-ripened tomatoes to remove any dirt or residue.
- After washing, carefully dice the tomatoes into small, uniform pieces. Ensure they are cut evenly for a consistent texture in the salsa.
If using fire-roasted canned tomatoes:
- Open the can of fire-roasted canned tomatoes and pour them into a colander or sieve to drain off any excess liquid.
- Once drained, roughly chop the fire-roasted tomatoes to achieve a chunky texture suitable for the salsa.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, gather the diced fresh tomatoes or the chopped fire-roasted canned tomatoes.
- Add the finely chopped sweet Vidalia onion, minced cilantro leaves, chopped fire-roasted green chilies, Himalayan pink salt, freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper, organic cane sugar, and high-quality apple cider vinegar into the bowl with the tomatoes.
Step 3: Mix Thoroughly
- Gently toss the combined ingredients together using a spoon or spatula. Ensure that the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the salsa mixture.
- Be mindful not to crush the tomatoes excessively, as you want the salsa to retain a chunky texture.
Step 4: Adjust Seasoning (Optional)
Taste the salsa to determine if the seasoning suits your preference. Adjust the flavors by adding more Himalayan pink salt, Tellicherry black pepper, organic cane sugar, or apple cider vinegar as needed to achieve the desired taste balance.
Step 5: Chill (Optional)
To enhance the flavors, refrigerate the prepared salsa for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the ingredients to meld together, intensifying the overall taste profile.
Step 6: Serve
Once chilled (if desired), your homemade El Chicos Salsa is ready to be served! Use it as a dip with tortilla chips or as a flavorful topping for tacos, grilled meats, or any other dish that would benefit from the addition of fresh salsa.
Step 7: Storage
Any remaining salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume it within a few days to ensure optimal taste and freshness.
Tips
• To make a milder salsa, remove the seeds and veins from the jalapeno pepper before adding it to the salsa.
• Feel free to add more or less of the chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper according to your taste.
• You can also add diced avocado for a creamy texture.
• To make a spicier salsa, add additional jalapeno peppers or other types of chili peppers.
• For a smokier flavor, you can add some smoked paprika.
• For a more acidic flavor, you can add some additional lime juice.
Nutrition Information
This el chicos salsa recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins A, C, and K and potassium. Onions are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Garlic is a natural antibiotic and can help boost the immune system.
Cilantro is rich in vitamin K and iron. The chili powder and cumin both contain antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation.
What to Serve With El Chicos Salsa?
• Tacos
• Burritos
• Quesadillas
• Chips and dip
• Nachos
• Enchiladas
• Salad
• Grilled meats
• Vegetables
How to Store Leftover El Chicos Salsa?
Leftover el chicos salsa recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
What Other Substitutes Can I Use in El Chicos Salsa?
• Tomatillos
• Bell peppers
• Avocado
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Corn
• Olives
• Beans
• Green onions
El Chicos Salsa Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- knife
- mixing bowl
- Spoon or Spatula :
- Colander or Sieve
- Refrigerator
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon freshly picked cilantro leaves finely minced for a burst of herbal freshness
- 1 cup vine-ripened tomatoes either fresh heirloom or fire-roasted canned variety
- 1/4 cup sweet Vidalia onion finely chopped for a mild yet distinct flavor
- 1 tablespoon fire-roasted green chilies chopped, adding a smoky and spicy kick
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt imparting a delicate mineral flavor
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper offering bold, aromatic notes
- 1/4 teaspoon organic cane sugar for a touch of natural sweetness and balance
- 1/2 tablespoon high-quality apple cider vinegar adding tang and depth to the salsa
Instructions
Prepare the Tomatoes:
- If using fresh tomatoes, wash them thoroughly and dice them into small pieces. If using fire-roasted canned tomatoes, drain any excess liquid and roughly chop them.
Combine Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes with the finely chopped sweet Vidalia onion, minced cilantro leaves, chopped fire-roasted green chilies, Himalayan pink salt, freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper, organic cane sugar, and high-quality apple cider vinegar.
Mix Thoroughly:
- Gently toss the ingredients together to ensure they are evenly mixed. Be careful not to crush the tomatoes too much; you want the salsa to have a chunky texture.
Adjust Seasoning (Optional):
- Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. You can add more salt, pepper, sugar, or vinegar to achieve the desired flavor balance.
Chill (Optional):
- For the best flavor, refrigerate the salsa for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the taste.
Serve:
- Once chilled (if desired), your El Chicos Salsa is ready to serve! It can be enjoyed with tortilla chips, as a topping for tacos, grilled meats, or any other dish where a flavorful salsa would be a delicious addition.
Storage:
- Any leftover salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Make sure to consume it within a reasonable time for optimal taste.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I make el chico’s salsa recipe ahead of time?
A1. Yes, you can make el chico’s salsa recipe ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Q2. How long does el chicos salsa recipe last?
A2. El chicos salsa recipe will last for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Q3. Is el chicos salsa recipe vegan?
A3. Yes, el chicos salsa recipe is vegan and does not contain any animal products.
Q4. Can I freeze el chicos salsa recipe?
A4. Yes, you can freeze el chicos salsa recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Q5. Is el chicos salsa recipe gluten-free?
A5. Yes, el chicos salsa recipe is gluten-free and does not contain any gluten.
Q6. Does el chicos salsa recipe contain any dairy?
A6. No, el chicos salsa recipe does not contain any dairy products.
Q7. How spicy is el chicos salsa recipe?
A7. The spice level of el chicos salsa recipe depends on the type and amount of chili peppers used. You can adjust the amount of chili peppers to make the salsa as spicy or mild as you like.
Conclusion
El chicos salsa recipe is a delicious Mexican-style salsa made with fresh tomatoes, chili peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro. It is a great way to spice up tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more.
The combination of flavors from the chili peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro create a unique and flavorful salsa that will add a Mexican-style kick to your dishes.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. Try this recipe today and impress your guests with something delicious.
You’ll also like the latest recipes!
- Libby’s Pecan Pumpkin Pie Copycat Recipe
- How to Make Blueberry Mush Recipe
- American Beauty Spaghetti Sauce
My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
