Zesty Roasted Green Tomato Salsa Verde
A bright, acidic, and smoky salsa made by roasting firm green tomatoes with garlic, onions, and spices. This easy recipe rescues unripe tomatoes and creates a versatile condiment perfect for chips, tacos, or eggs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds firm, unripe green tomatoes, washed and stems removed
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 4–5 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed (optional for less heat)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
- Juice of 2 fresh limes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive/avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut green tomatoes in half horizontally. Roughly chop the yellow onion and garlic.
- Place tomato halves, onion chunks, and garlic on a rimmed sheet pan.
- Drizzle with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Toss to coat evenly, ensuring tomato cut sides face up.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes until tomatoes soften and develop brown, caramelized edges, and onions are tender.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Transfer roasted vegetables to a food processor. Add jalapeño and lime juice.
- Pulse until finely chopped but still chunky.
- Add fresh cilantro and pulse briefly just until incorporated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lime juice if needed.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper roasting instead of steaming. For a smoother salsa, blend longer; for chunkier, pulse briefly. The salsa keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months. If using a blender, you may need to add a splash of water to help it move.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/2 cu
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: green tomato salsa, salsa verde, roasted salsa, vegetarian recipe, vegan salsa, easy appetizer, meal prep, gluten-free