My garden fresh salsa recipe is simple; there’s no measuring involved. Memorize these five ingredients: tomato, hot pepper, onion, garlic, and lime. You’ll never need a salsa recipe again.

The most important ingredient for killer fresh salsa is—bar none—garden fresh tomatoes. Those barely-pink orbs you’ll find at the grocery store? Don’t even bother. Seriously. You will be disappointed. But if you’ve got a garden that’s brimming with juicy ripe tomatoes, or if they’re available at your local farmers market, get chopping.

Garden Fresh Salsa Recipe

This recipe makes about 4 cups.

• 5 medium-sized vine ripe tomatoes
• 1 medium-sized onion
• 1-2 hot peppers, finely chopped (jalapeño or serrano are good)
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• juice from 1/2 of a lime

Chop tomato and onion into a quarter-inch dice. Stir all ingredients together in a bowl. See how easy that was?

If you’d like, you can add salt and pepper to taste (I usually add about 1/2 teaspoon of each). And if you’re a cilantro lover like I am, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro. Note that I did not add cilantro as a mandatory ingredient. It’s not for everybody!

This salsa should be eaten fresh. Serve it up with your favorite organic, non-GMO tortilla chips. Or use it to top tacos, tostadas, or black beans.

If you’re looking for a great recipe to preserve your bounty, I suggest you try this salsa recipe for canning. It’s one of our favorites.

Want to learn to make more of your own pantry staples? 

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