Cherry tomatoes are a popular choice for salads and snacks, but have you ever considered using them to make fresh salsa? Increase the versatility of these tiny tomatoes, and use them in this fast, flavorful, and fresh cherry tomato salsa! Add to quesadillas, tacos, salads, or enjoy as a dip!
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for Cherry Tomato Salsa
Use ripe cherry tomatoes which should “give” slightly to the touch. Don’t push too hard or the tomatoes will bruise. They shouldn’t be too soft.
If your tomatoes aren’t quite ripe, you can help them along! To ripen tomatoes, do not store them in the refrigerator. Place them in a sunny window or paper bag on your counter.
Chop all of the ingredients finely to guarantee balanced flavor in every bite!
Sensitive to spice? When dicing the jalapeño, remove as much of the inner white pith as possible, then avoid adding the seeds.
While we think that fresh lime juice tastes best, you can also use bottled for added convenience.
Fresh cherry tomato salsa does not require any cooking, and it is delicious when prepared in advance. For best flavor, marinate the raw diced ingredients for at least 15 minutes before serving. You can also prepare the recipe the day before you plan on serving it for even more flavor development.
Allowing the tomato salsa recipe to sit helps to meld flavors, but during this time, the salt pulls moisture out of the tomatoes. Drain extra liquid before serving or storing in the refrigerator.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Onion: substitute diced yellow or red onion or shallot.
- Cilantro: substitute flat leaf parsley, but note that the flavor will vary.
- Jalapeño: substitute serrano chili for a similar look, but note that serrano peppers are spicier than jalapeños!. If you don’t want a spicy salsa, try substituting an Anaheim pepper.
- Lime Juice: substitute lemon juice or a vinegar such as white wine vinegar. If using vinegar, start off with ½ the amount, and then increase to taste! The flavor will be different.
Recipe Variations
Use ingredients you have on hand and your creativity to vary this recipe to your taste!
Fancy up your salsa with fresh fruit! Add diced mango or pineapple for balanced sweetness. Change the salsa’s colors by adding yellow tomatoes with the mango.
Add volume and texture to your salsa with diced cucumber or jicama. These veggies add an extra fresh taste and a refreshingly crisp texture.
Add sliced chives, parsley, or other fresh herbs in addition to the cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.
Add drained and rinsed black beans, diced avocado, diced bell pepper, and/or fresh corn kernels for a more robust fresh salsa recipe!
Equipment Recommendations
You just need a few pieces of kitchen equipment to put this recipe together!
Health Benefits of Fresh Salsa with Cherry Tomatoes, Onion, Herbs and Peppers
This healthy cherry tomato salsa will pile your plate with nutritious plants! Use it as a healthy topping or side dish for tacos, burritos, tostadas, bowls, and more! The featured ingredients in this healthy salsa recipe are cherry tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.
Cherry Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a phytochemical that helps protect against heart disease and prostate cancer. (1, 2) Canned and/or cooked tomatoes are higher in lycopene than their fresh counterparts. (3)
Onion
All vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Aim to eat a variety of colors – each color provides a different benefit for our bodies. Even white vegetables, such as onions, provide unique nutrients such as prebiotic fiber and a powerful polyphenol called quercetin. (4)
Cilantro and Other Herbs
Leafy green herbs are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that can promote health and help fight diseases.
Serving Suggestions for this Simple Salsa Recipe
Build a balanced meal by topping salsa on lean protein such as chicken, fish, or plain hummus. You can also serve salsa with fresh tortilla chips or tacos for extra flavor, texture, and nutrition.
You can even get in a serving of veggies at breakfast by topping your scrambled eggs with this colorful salsa!
Fresh Salsa Storage Tips
Place leftover salsa in an airtight container and hold in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Drain excess liquid before serving again.
Want more tasty recipes to go with this salsa?
Try out these tried and true recipes!
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Fresh Cherry Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and salt. Mix until combined.
- Serve as desired. Enjoy!
