Ingredients

1 small onion, diced finely

1 medium serrano or jalapeno pepper, ribs and stem, seeds removed

4 large tomatoes, chopped small

¼ cup lime juice

¾ tsp fine sea salt

½ cup finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

Wash all vegetables.

Remove the stems, seeds and ribs, as needed

Chop the vegetables into a small dice

Stir in the cilantro, salt and lime juice

Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to chill and marinate together.

Enjoy!

Notes:

Pepper Heat Level: Serrano peppers are hotter than jalapeños. Adjust the amount or type of pepper based on your heat preference. Removing the seeds and ribs from the peppers can also reduce their spiciness.

Tomato Choices: Use ripe, firm tomatoes for the best texture and flavor. Roma or plum tomatoes are good options because they have fewer seeds and a denser flesh.

Cilantro Freshness: Fresh cilantro is key to vibrant flavor. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute with finely chopped fresh parsley, but the flavor will be different.

Salt and Lime Adjustments: Taste the salsa before serving and adjust the salt and lime juice if necessary. Depending on your taste preferences and the size of your tomatoes, you might need a bit more or less of either.

Chilling Time: Allowing the salsa to chill for at least 15 minutes helps the flavors meld together, but it can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Consistency: For a chunkier salsa, dice the ingredients into larger pieces. For a smoother salsa, you can blend some or all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender.

Acidity Balance: If the salsa tastes too acidic, you can balance it with a pinch of sugar or a splash of water. This can help mellow out the lime juice’s tartness.

Storage: Store salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen, though the texture may change slightly upon thawing.

Serving Ideas: This salsa is great with tortilla chips, but it can also be used as a topping for tacos, grilled meats, or mixed into dishes for added flavor.

Additional Flavors: Feel free to experiment by adding ingredients like minced garlic, diced bell peppers, or a splash of hot sauce to customize the flavor profile to your liking.