Guide E-323
Reviewed by Nancy C. Flores and Cindy Schlenker Davies
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University

Authors: Respectively, Extension Food Technology Specialist, Department of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences; and County Program Director and Home Economist, Bernalillo County Extension Office, New Mexico State University. (Print friendly PDF)

CAUTION: Most salsa recipes contain a mixture of low-acid foods, such as onions and chiles. Acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, must be added to prevent the bacteria Clostridium botulinum from growing. This bacteria produces a deadly toxin (botulin) that can cause serious damage to the central nervous system or death (botulism) when eaten even in small amounts. These salsa recipes have been tested to ensure that they contain enough acid to be processed safely in a boiling-water canner.

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Ingredients

Tomatoes

The type of tomato you use often affects the quality of salsas. Paste tomatoes like Romas have firmer flesh and produce thicker salsas than large slicing tomatoes. Although both types make good salsas, slicing tomatoes usually yield a thinner, more watery salsa than paste tomatoes.

Do not use overripe or spoiling tomatoes. Use only high-quality tomatoes for canning salsa or other tomato products. Do not use tomatoes from dead or frost-killed vines. Poor-quality or overripe tomatoes will yield a very poor salsa and may spoil.

Where recipes call for peeled or skinned tomatoes, remove the skin by dipping tomatoes into boiling water for 30–60 seconds or until skins split. Dip in cold water, then slip off skins and remove cores and seeds. You may substitute green tomatoes or tomatillos for tomatoes in any of these recipes.

Chiles

Chiles range from mild to fiery in taste. Very hot chiles are usually small (1–3 inches long); mild chiles are usually bigger (4–10 inches long). Anaheim, Ancho, New Mexico 6-4, Big Jim, Chimayo, and Hungarian Yellow Wax are mild chile varieties. Choose a mild chile when the recipe calls for long green chiles.

Small, very hot chiles provide a distinct taste to salsas. Jalapeño is the most popular hot chile. Other varieties include Serrano, Cayenne, Habanero, Chile Piquin, and Tabasco. Use rubber gloves when you cut or dice these chiles because they cause extreme irritation to the skin. Do not touch your face, particularly the area around your eyes, when you are working with hot chiles.

You may substitute bell peppers for some or all of the long green chiles. Also, different chile varieties will have different flavors. Canned chiles may be used in place of fresh.

Use only high-quality chiles. Do not increase the total amount of chiles in any recipe. However, you may substitute one type of chile for another.

The skin of long green chiles may be tough and can be removed by heating the chiles. Usually when chiles are finely chopped, they do not need to be skinned.

Hot chiles, such as the jalapeño, do not need to be peeled, but seeds are often removed.

If you choose to heat and peel chiles, slit each one along the side to allow steam to escape. Peel using one of these two methods:

Oven or broiler method—Place chiles in a hot oven (400°F) or broiler for 6–8 minutes until skins blister.

Range-top method—Cover hot burner (either gas or electric) with heavy wire mesh. Place chiles on burner for several minutes until skins blister.

After heating, place chiles in a pan and cover with a damp cloth. This will make peeling the chiles easier. Cool for several minutes, then slip off skins. Discard seeds and chop.

Tomatillos

Tomatillos are also known as Mexican husk tomatoes. They do not need to be peeled or seeded, but the dry outer husk must be removed.

Acids

The acid ingredients used in salsa help preserve it and prevent botulism poisoning. You must add acid to canned salsas because the ingredients’ natural acidity may not be high enough. Commonly used acids in home canning are vinegar and lemon juice. Lemon juice is more acidic than vinegar, but has less effect on flavor. Use only vinegar that is at least 5% acid and use only bottled lemon juice.

If you wish, you may safely substitute an equal amount of lemon juice for vinegar in recipes using vinegar. Do not substitute vinegar for lemon juice. This substitution will result in a less acidic and potentially unsafe salsa.

Spices

Spices add flavoring to salsas, but of course are optional. Cilantro and cumin are often used in spicy salsas. You may leave them out if you prefer a salsa with a milder taste. For a stronger cilantro flavor, add fresh cilantro just before serving the salsa.

Filling the Jars

Follow manufacturer’s directions for pretreating lids. Fill hot, clean jars with the salsa that has been heated (see recipes), being careful not to leave any salsa on the rims. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp paper towel. Put on lids and screw on metal bands.

Processing

Processing In a Boiling-Water Canner

1. Use a rack to keep jars from touching canner bottom and to allow heat to reach all sides of the filled jars.

2. Put jars into a canner that contains simmering water.

3. Add boiling water if needed to bring water 1–2 inches above jar tops. Don’t pour water directly on the jars. Place a tight-fitting cover on canner. (If you use a pressure canner for water bath canning, leave the cover unfastened and the petcock open to prevent pressure buildup.)

4. Bring water back to a rolling boil. Set a timer for recommended processing time. Watch closely to keep water boiling gently and steadily. Add boiling water if necessary to keep jars covered.

5. Using a jar lifter, remove the jars from the canner straight up without tipping. Food can spoil if jars are left in hot water too long.

6. Do not touch lids or rings until jars are completely cooled.

Cooling Jars

Put jars on a rack or cloth so air can circulate freely around them. Do not use a fan, and avoid cold drafts. Do not retighten screw bands after processing.

Testing for Seal

Test each jar for a seal the day after canning. Jars with flat metal lids are sealed if:

1. Lid is curved down in the center.

2. Lid does not move when pressed down.

3. Tapping the center of the lid with a spoon gives a clear, ringing sound (this is the least-reliable test).

If a jar is not sealed, refrigerate the contents and use soon, or reprocess the jar within 24 hours. When reprocessing, the salsa must first be heated to a boil before packing into hot jars. Wipe jar rims clean. Use a new lid and process for the full time listed.

Storing

Wipe jars. Label with the date and the contents of the jar. Remove the screw bands to avoid rust.

Store jars in a cool, dark place. For best eating quality and nutritive value, use within one year. Heat, freezing temperatures, light, or dampness will decrease the quality and shelf life of canned food.

Before Using

Before opening each jar, look for bulging lids, leaks, or any unusual appearance of the food. After opening, check for off odors, mold, or foam. If there is any sign of spoilage, dispose of the food.

Recipes

Tomatillo Green Salsa

Yield: 5 pints

5 cups chopped tomatillos (or green tomatoes)
1 cup bottled lemon juice
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped long green chiles
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup seeded, finely chopped jalapeños
4 cups chopped onions
1 tablespoon ground cumin (optional)
3 tablespoons oregano leaves (optional)
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and stir frequently over high heat until mixture begins to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

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Tomato/Green Chile Salsa

Yield: 3 pints

3 cups peeled, cored, chopped tomatoes
3 cups seeded, chopped long green chiles
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3/4 cup chopped onions
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1 1/2 cups vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
2 teaspoons oregano leaves (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and heat, stirring frequently, until mixture boils. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

Tomato Salsa (using paste tomatoes)

Yield: 16–18 pints

7 quarts peeled, cored, chopped tomatoes
4 cups seeded, chopped long green chiles
5 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup seeded, finely chopped jalapeños
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups bottled lemon juice
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 tablespoons ground cumin (optional)
3 tablespoons oregano leaves (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional)

Combine all ingredients except cumin, oregano, and cilantro in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add spices and simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

This recipe works best with paste tomatoes. Slicing tomatoes require a much longer cooking time to achieve a desirable consistency.

Tomato Taco Sauce

Yield: 16–18 pints

8 quarts peeled, cored, finely chopped paste tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, crushed
5 cups chopped onions
4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
4 long green chiles, seeded and chopped
2 1/2 cups vinegar
2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons oregano leaves (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently until thick (about 1 hour). Ladle hot mixture into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

This recipe works best with paste tomatoes because slicing tomatoes will yield a thin, watery salsa. If you only have slicing tomatoes available, use the Tomato/Tomato Paste Salsa recipe.

Tomato/Tomato Paste Salsa

Yield: 7–9 pints

3 quarts peeled, cored, and chopped slicing tomatoes
3 cups chopped onions
6 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
4 long green chiles, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 12-ounce cans tomato paste
2 cups bottled lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon ground cumin (optional)
2 tablespoons oregano leaves (optional)
1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

Chile Salsa

Yield: 7–9 pints

10 cups peeled, cored, chopped tomatoes
6 cups seeded, chopped chiles*
4 cups chopped onions
1 cup vinegar
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan. Heat to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

*Use a mixture of mild and hot chiles.

Mango Salsa*

Yield: 3 pints

6 cups diced unripe mango (about 3 to 4 large, hard green mangoes)
1 1/2 cups diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/4 cups cider vinegar (5%)
1/2 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer 5 minutes. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–6,000 feet, and 25 minutes above 6,000 feet.

*Source: Elizabeth L. Andress, University of Georgia–Athens. https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_salsa/mango_salsa.html

For more on this topic, see the following publications:

E-319: Home Canning of Fruits
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_e/E-319/

E-326: Home Canned Sweet Spreads Made with Green Chile
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_e/E326/

E-324: Processing Fresh Chile Peppers
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_e/E-324/

All Food and Nutrition Publications:
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_e/

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Nancy Flores is the Extension Food Technology Specialist in the Department of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences at NMSU. She earned her B.S. at NMSU, M.S. at the University of Missouri, and Ph.D. at Kansas State. Her Extension activities focus on food safety, food processing, and food technology.

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Revised August 2015