Salvadoran salsa roja has the consistency of a smooth Italian style tomato sauce, but the flavor you expect from a mild salsa. It’s delicious for scooping up with some corn tortilla chips, but the best way to make it is for enjoying with pupusas (a traditional Salvadoran dish)! This recipe is simple, so let’s keep this post brief!
The ingredients:
The main ingredient is tomato–with this salsa, using a can of tomatoes is easy and totally ok! If you want to use fresh tomatoes, that’s fine too, you can peel them if you don’t want any bits of peel in your final sauce, but it’s going to be delicious either way. Next, we have the aromatics: onion, garlic, and chiles. White onion has a sharper flavor as compared to yellow onions and are great in salsa! For the chili pepper you can use a jalapeño or serrano, or even a milder pepper if you’d like! For the seasoning: dried oregano, salt, and pepper. If you can find it, use Mexican oregano! Otherwise, a mediterranean oregano is fine! Then, cilantro. The cilantro is optional, if you’re a fan use it, if you aren’t, don’t. Lastly a bit of extra virgin olive oil enriches the salsa and finishes it off!
The method:
Put all the ingredients into a blender. That’s the olive oil, tomatoes (if canned then include the juices in the can), onion, garlic, chili pepper, oregano, salt, pepper, and cilantro if using. Blend it up until it’s fairly smooth. Then pour it into a pot, partially cover that pot and bring it to a simmer. Let it simmer for like 30 minutes to thicken, mellow and blend the flavors. And that’s it! Now you have a delicious red salsa to enjoy!
Salvadoran salsa roja is traditionally served with pupusas and curtido, which is a delicious fermented cabbage relish. Check the links for those companion recipes! If you make this Salvadoran salsa roja, leave a comment below and rate the recipe on the recipe card. And please share your photos with me on Instagram, tag @thecuriouschickpea and #thecuriouschickpea. I love seeing your recreations!
McCormick Gourmet Oregano, Mexican, 0.5 OZ (Pack of 1)
