Mexico By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Mexico: Salsa Verde (Recipe)

Bowl of bright green salsa verde with tortilla chips and lime

In this article

Say hello to Salsa Verde, one of Mexico’s most beloved table sauces! Built around tart green tomatillos, fragrant coriander and a kick of jalapeño, this vibrant blend is the perfect dip for warm tortilla chips and a brilliant way to brighten almost any plate. Quick to whizz together and endlessly versatile, it brings a fresh, zingy lift to everything from tacos to grilled vegetables. One taste and you will want a jar of it in the fridge at all times.

About Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde is one of the most popular traditional salsas in Mexican cooking, loved for its bright colour and lively, fresh taste. It is made from green tomatoes, better known as tomatillos, along with a handful of herbs and seasonings that give it its unmistakable character. This delicious sauce works beautifully with a huge range of dishes and makes an ideal dip for tortilla chips. It also doubles as a wonderfully versatile ingredient for adding extra flavour to all sorts of meals.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

250 g green tomatoes (tomatillos)
1 small onion
1–2 cloves of garlic
1–2 fresh jalapeños (depending on how hot you like it)
A handful of fresh coriander
Juice of 1 lime
Salt to taste

Shopping for the ingredients

Shopping for the ingredients for your salsa verde could not be simpler. You can usually find tomatillos in well-stocked supermarkets or at a local market. Look for fruits that are firm and ripe to guarantee the best flavour. The remaining ingredients — onions, garlic, jalapeños and fresh coriander — are easy to source in any grocery shop. If you cannot track down fresh tomatillos, the kind of unripe green tomatoes used in dishes like Chiltomate Yucateco make a handy stand-in.

Preparing the dish

Before you start making the salsa verde, give all the ingredients a thorough rinse. The tomatillos need to be freed from their protective papery husk, which comes away easily if you blanch them briefly. Cut the onion and the jalapeños into rough chunks to make them easier to blend. The fresh coriander should also be rinsed well to remove any grit or residue before it goes into the mix.

Step-by-step instructions

Blanch the tomatillos in a pan of boiling water for about 2–3 minutes, until they soften.
Tip the blanched tomatillos into a blender along with the onion, garlic, jalapeños and coriander.
Add the lime juice and season with salt to taste.
Blitz the mixture briefly until you reach the consistency you like.
Spoon the salsa verde into a bowl and, if you wish, garnish with a little extra fresh coriander.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

One of the great things about salsa verde is that it is naturally gluten-free and lactose-free. You can enjoy it without a second thought, even if you have a gluten intolerance or are lactose-intolerant. Just take care to choose the sides or dishes you serve it with accordingly. Many traditional Mexican dishes that pair with salsa verde, such as the soft tacos in Tacos de Papa, are also free from gluten and dairy.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

Salsa verde is the perfect partner for vegan and vegetarian meals! It makes a brilliant seasoning for grilled vegetables or plant-based tacos. If you are serving the salsa alongside a vegan dish, just be sure to check that the accompaniments are plant-based too, so everything stays vegan. This fresh, lively sauce adds a special touch to any meat-free feast.

More tips and tricks

For a smokier flavour, roast the tomatillos and jalapeños before blending them. This gives the salsa an extra layer of aroma and a real kick of character. You can also dial the heat up or down simply by adding or holding back on the jalapeños. Taste as you blend, ideally more than once, so you can find the perfect balance for your palate.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

Salsa verde lends itself beautifully to personal tweaks and to whatever ingredients you happen to have locally. Like it really hot? Just add more jalapeños, or even a few extra chillies. You could also experiment with other herbs, such as parsley, to create brand-new flavour notes. With a little creativity, your salsa verde will always turn out uniquely your own.

Ingredient substitutions

If you cannot find fresh tomatillos, you can swap them for unripe, unpeeled green tomatoes. They are not quite identical in taste, but they still bring a similar freshness. If you are not keen on fresh coriander, parsley works as a replacement instead. This does change the flavour, but it keeps the salsa just as delicious — much like the fresh herbs that brighten a dish such as Esquites con Epazote.

Drink pairing ideas

Salsa verde is a fantastic companion to a refreshing margarita or a crystal-clear shot of tequila. Alcohol-free options work brilliantly too — a fresh lime soda or a glass of homemade lemonade both taste wonderful alongside it and really let the flavours of the salsa shine. Experiment with different drinks to discover your own perfect combination.

Serving and presentation ideas

Present your salsa verde in a decorative bowl and garnish it with fresh coriander or lime wedges. The dish looks especially inviting when served with a pile of crisp tortilla chips. You can also use an elegant glass dish or a tiered serving plate to show off your salsa and its accompaniments with a little flair. A touch of creativity makes the whole experience that bit more exciting.

A bit of history

Salsa verde has its origins in Mexican cuisine and has been made for centuries, particularly in the central and southern regions of the country. The salsa is woven into the fabric of Mexican food culture and is often served with traditional dishes such as tacos or enchiladas. Its green colour symbolises freshness and vitality, and it is considered one of the cornerstone sauces of the Mexican table. Like so many Mexican dishes, salsa verde has its roots in indigenous tradition, later enriched by European influences.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Salsa Verde

Making Salsa Verde is quick and easy. With fresh ingredients such as tomatillos and coriander, you can conjure up a versatile sauce that adds just the right seasoning to a whole host of dishes. Whether as a dip or as a partner to your main courses, salsa verde is an absolute highlight on any table. Play around with the variations and discover your very own favourite flavour.