Salsa Ranchera Recipe

ranchera salsa in bowl next to chips, limes, knife, herbs

5 from 21 votes

This homemade salsa ranchera recipe is definitely a crowd-pleaser and a favorite at parties and potlucks. Simple ingredients like canned tomatoes, serranos, garlic, and cilantro make it super easy to prepare with a few whirls of your food processor.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Appetizer, Condiments, sauce, Snacks

Cuisine: Mexican

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Servings: people

Calories: 47kcal

Author: Hilda Sterner

Equipment

food processor

Ingredients

1 28 oz can whole plum tomatoes (or two 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes)
3 medium garlic cloves
¼ cup fresh cilantro
4 scallions (or 1 small white onion)
2 Serrano peppers (or jalapenos)
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon cumin powder
1 medium lime (or lemon)
1 large avocado (up to two can be used)

Instructions

Pour canned tomatoes into a food processor. Add roughly chopped garlic, cilantro, scallions, and peppers. Next, add salt, cumin, and the juice of one lime.
Pulse ingredients until blended but still slightly chunky.
Slice the avocado in half and remove the seed. While still in its skin, slice the avocado in small cubes and scoop out with a spoon. Stir into salsa.

Notes

Store salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you don't have a food processor to make this salsa ranchera recipe, a blender may be used. It might be a little harder to control the texture of the salsa if it doesn't have a pulse option. Alternatively, you can mash the tomatoes by hand and chop the remaining ingredients.
Be aware that not all canned tomatoes are equal. My favorite brand to use is Hunt's. Although other tomato brands may be used, I've found over the years that some contain too much sugar and give the salsa a sweet taste.
If you prefer the flavor of roasted tomatoes, you can find fire-roasted tomatoes in a can.
Feel free to use diced tomatoes to make this salsa ranchera recipe. I use whatever I have on hand, but I prefer to use whole tomatoes when possible. Diced tomatoes can get over-processed.
If you like the flavor of chipotle peppers, you can add 2 or more canned chipotle peppers. This not only gives the salsa a smokey flavor but ups the heat too!

Nutrition