Habanero Salsa

Habanero peppers are known for carrying some serious heat, but there’s a lot of flavor packed in there as well. To enjoy this pepper without being overwhelmed, I make habanero salsa.

The habanero has a much higher Scoville rating than the jalapeno, so only a single habanero pepper is needed to make this homemade habanero salsa recipe. Chopped fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and cider vinegar bring out the sweet, smoky, floral notes of the habanero.

It takes less than 10 minutes of prep work, and I promise that a homemade salsa will beat the store-bought stuff every time.

Habanero Salsa Ingredients

• Tomatoes: Fresh chopped tomatoes are the base of this habanero salsa recipe.
• Onion: The flavor of white onions is milder and a bit sweeter than yellow onions.
• Habanero pepper: You’ll need one habanero for this recipe; seed and mince the pepper so the heat is more tolerable.
• Garlic: Use one clove of fresh garlic.
• Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro brings an added layer of flavor.
• Vinegar: The cider vinegar adds some tartness and also helps preserve the salsa.
• Salt: I prefer to use Diamond kosher salt to keep everything evenly seasoned.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the ingredients together

TMB STUDIO

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, habanero, garlic, cilantro, cider vinegar and salt. If desired, cover the bowl and refrigerate the salsa for one to two hours before serving.

TMB STUDIO

Habanero Salsa Variations

• Use other peppers: There are lots of tasty peppers to use instead of or in addition to the habanero. I love salsa made from cherry bomb peppers, which are not as spicy as they might seem, and I also like a mild salsa using whatever seasonal peppers pop up at the farmers market, like corno di toro or even blistered padron peppers.
• Roast the ingredients: To add fire-roasted flavor to your salsa, char the ingredients before mixing them together. You can do this on the stovetop, in the oven or even on the grill.
• Blend the salsa: I love a blended salsa. The flavors in this recipe work so well together that you might as well blend them up to get a real flavor explosion! Blend it partway for a chunkier salsa or blend it until everything is smooth.

TMB STUDIO

How to Store Habanero Salsa

Keep habanero salsa covered in the fridge so it stays nice and fresh. I don’t recommend freezing salsa because the texture will change and it won’t be as appetizing.

How long does habanero salsa last?

When stored properly in the fridge, this salsa lasts for up to a week.

Habanero Salsa Tips

TMB STUDIO

Can you use canned tomatoes for a habanero salsa recipe?

I much prefer fresh tomatoes for salsa, but you can substitute canned tomatoes if needed.

How do you serve habanero salsa?

This spicy habanero salsa is the perfect condiment for lots of Mexican dishes, from tacos and tostadas to nachos and tamales. For a snack to share, use this habanero salsa in a 7-layer dip. Or, just grab a bag of chips and the bowl of salsa and go to town!

What if I get pepper on me while making habanero salsa?

We recommend using food-safe gloves when working with hot peppers. Otherwise, your hands will still be spicy after you’re done cutting, and it will burn if you rub your eyes or certain other body parts. If you do get habanero in your eye, try the old restaurant trick of pouring some milk in your eye to relieve the stinging.