This fresh tomatillo salsa recipe has a pleasant kick of heat. Try spooning it on Tequila Shrimp and Asadero Quesadillas, Carne Asada, or Chilaquiles—washed down with a big Tequila Sunrise.

Game plan: If you prefer a more mild salsa recipe, seed and devein the chiles first.

This salsa recipe was featured as part of our Tamales for the Holidays project.

  • Yield: About 2 cups
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Active: Under 5 mins

Ingredients (5)

  • 1 pound tomatillos, papery skins removed
  • 3 serrano chiles, stems removed and coarsely chopped
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Place tomatillos in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until tomatillos just give way when pierced with a knife but aren’t falling apart, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
  2. Place tomatillos and remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until almost smooth (do not overblend or the salsa will be thin and watery). You may need to stop the blender and smash down the tomatillos with a rubber spatula to get the blades moving.
  3. Place the salsa in a container with a tightfitting lid and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. The salsa will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.