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The Only Salsa You Need

This classic roasted tomato salsa is a versatile vegan staple that brings a smoky, charred depth of flavour to any table. By grilling the tomatoes, white onions and chillies until blackened, the natural sugars caramelise to create a rich base that far surpasses any shop-bought alternative. The combination of smooth purée and hand-chopped vegetables ensures a restaurant-style texture that balances heat with the bright acidity of fresh lime.

Perfect as a vibrant plant-based appetiser or a zesty topping for tacos, this homemade sauce is a healthy, low-fat addition to your repertoire. It is best enjoyed at room temperature to allow the coriander and garlic notes to fully develop. Serve a generous bowl alongside crunchy tortilla crisps for an effortless crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.

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Ingredients for The Only Salsa You Need

  • 900g tomatoes, cored, cut in half crosswise

  • 1 medium white onion, sliced into 1/4"-thick rounds

  • 3 serrano chillies

  • 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled

  • Kosher salt

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander

  • Tortilla crisps (for serving)

Heat grill. Place tomatoes cut side down on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Fit onion, chillies, and garlic around tomatoes so everything is snug but not overlapping. Grill, turning onion and chillies once, until lightly charred, about 6 minutes for chillies and garlic and 15–18 minutes for tomatoes and onion.

Peel garlic and place in a food processor along with half of the tomatoes. Pulse until very smooth. Add remaining tomatoes and pulse until tomatoes are mostly broken up but mixture still has some texture. Transfer to a medium bowl. Finely chop onion and chillies and mix into purée; season with salt. Let cool. Stir in lime juice and coriander. Season salsa with more salt if needed. Serve with chips.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

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UK recipe editors

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UK recipe editors

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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