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Home » Mexican Recipes

Published: Apr 29, 2020 · Updated: Mar 31, 2025 · May contain affiliate links

Salsa Roja (Baja Style)

Jump to Recipe·5 from 2 reviews
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I could eat this out of the world salsa roja with a spoon. Yes, this smoky, fresh salsa is truly my favorite.

Salsa Roja

Salsa roja is a cooked red salsa that is standard fare on Mexican tables. Of course, everyone has their own recipe and this one is my favorite.

How do you make salsa?

There are countless ways to make salsa but this is my favorite. If you prefer a green salsa than check out this tomatillo one! 

 
Salsa roja this …
 

Rather than cooking my tomatoes on the stove top, I choose to grill the tomatoes which gives this red salsa out of this world flavor. Not only are the tomatoes grilled, but the jalapenos are, too.

The best part of this salsa is that there is no need to have ripe tomatoes. Of course if you do, so much the better.  I use Romas and admit I often buy them even if they don't look ripe. Grilling them softens them up and helps amp up the flavor.

 
Salsa Roja
 

After everything is good and roasted, the blackened tomatoes and jalapenos are thrown in the blender which makes this salsa super easy to prepare. Throw in some fresh garlic, some water and lime juice. Then it's just about finished.

You do want to make sure that you don't over process this, but that choice is yours. I have some friends that do not like lumps in their food. If that is you, blend this until it is as smooth as you'd like. I prefer it with some texture.

After you get this the way you want stir in some fresh chopped white onion and some cilantro. If you feel like this needs some more tomatoes, then add some fresh diced tomato. The mixture of fresh and roasted tomatoes is really good. Now add some salt and if it needs more spicy, stir in some hot sauce or chile powder to create your own house salsa.

 

This salsa reminds me of what I've been slurping at  Baja Fresh (which is no longer in my neighborhood 🙁 ) Keep in mind salsa roja is not like a  pico de gallo, because pico de gallo contains only uncooked ingredients. Sometimes pico de gallo reminds me of really lean gazpacho. Just sayin'!

In my opinion salsa roja  is the perfect everything salsa.  I used to quiz the guys at Baja Fresh to tell me their secret and they always made me think it was some gourmet chile that made it so extraordinary. Man, did they have me fooled.

Nothing out of the ordinary in this salsa. But ordinary ingredients sure make extraordinary salsa!

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Salsa Roja

 

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Salsa Roja

Salsa Roja (Baja Style)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 30 Minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 - 3 Cups 1x
  • Category: Sauce/Appetizer
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: Mexican
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Description

This red salsa with grilled tomatoes and jalapenos is my favorite. Instead of chips, I often resort to a spoon!


Ingredients

Scale

14 cold tomatoes (I used Romas and mine weighed out to about 2 lbs) Dice 2 and reserve.

3 jalapenos – remove stem and also seeds if you don’t want this to spicy

3 cloves garlic

1 t salt

1 ½ c water

Juice of 1 lime

6 T finely chopped white onion

5 T chopped fresh cilantro


Instructions

Preheat grill to high heat. Place 12 of the tomatoes, stem side down, directly on the grill. Roast the tomatoes over the flame for 10 to 20 minutes or until they are very charred and blackened. Flip over and continue to grill until this side is also charred and blackened. Add jalapenos to grill after you flip the tomatoes for the first time. These will also blacken but make sure to turn them to get all sides charred.

Take the tomatoes and peppers off the grill and place in a large zip lock. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes. When cooled dump tomatoes, peppers, and any liquid into a blender.

Add garlic and salt and blend on high speed until pureed. Be careful not to over puree!

Add the water and lime juice and blend again until mixed. The salsa darkens as it is chopped finer!

Pour mixture into a container and add the remaining two tomatoes. I pureed my mixture a bit too fine, so I added about 4 diced tomatoes to get this to the consistency I wanted.

Add the onions and cilantro-do not be afraid to add more or less, depending on how you like your salsa. Cool in the fridge.

As it cools it will develop even more flavor and the water will absorb into the salsa.


Notes

Adapted from Todd Wilbur (Top Secret Recipes)

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @this_is_how_i_cook on Instagram and hashtag it #thisishowicook

 A Few More:

Nachos Al Pastor with Pineapple Salsa
Avocado Corn Soup
Red Chile, Chorizo and Cheese Breakfast Enchiladas
 

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    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Healthy World Cuisine says

    May 05, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    Fire roasted salsa sounds so fabulous. Way better than just fresh chopped tomatoes. Now, all we need is a cervesa!

    Reply
  2. David @ Spiced says

    May 01, 2020 at 7:56 am

    This sounds amazing, Abbe! We are totally in on the Mexican/Southwestern foods right now - perhaps its the return of warmer weather? Either way, a homemade salsa is calling my name. And to grill the tomatoes AND jalapenos!? *Mind blown*

    Reply
  3. Erin says

    June 30, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    Loving the idea of a fire flavored salsa!

    Reply
  4. HADIA ZEBIB says

    June 29, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Your salsa looks superbly delicious, Abbe. Have a good day.

    Reply
  5. mjskit says

    June 29, 2016 at 2:27 am

    I can never get enough salsa and this one I could make a meal out of. Can't wait to see what else y'all come up with this week.

    Reply
  6. Juliana says

    June 28, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Your salsa looks delicious Abbe...indeed packed with flavors...love it!
    Have a great week 🙂

    Reply
  7. Amy (Savory Moments) says

    June 28, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I love the looks of this salsa! I bet it's super delicious being fire grilled.

    Reply
  8. Vintage Kitty says

    June 28, 2016 at 3:49 am

    I make a salsa like this but I roast it in the oven and it makes the house stink. Never thought to do it on the grill!

    Reply
  9. Farrah says

    June 28, 2016 at 1:26 am

    That salsa looks amazing and packed with flavor! *-*

    Reply
  10. Kitchen Riffs says

    June 27, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    I've never done one of those group blogging things either. Always look like fun, but the timing is never right for me. And blogging every single day? Wowzer! Anyway, this looks terrific -- haven't met a salsa I didn't like. This looks like it has terrific flavor -- my kind of stuff. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. mimi rippee says

    June 27, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    Just beautiful!

    Reply
  12. Angie Schneider says

    June 27, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    It sounds and looks fantastic! Those chips look great too.

    Reply
  13. Liz Berg says

    June 27, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Mmmmm....I'd be happy to skip dinner and just eat your chips and salsa! I usually make a raw version, but this Baja style looks mighty fine!!

    Reply
  14. La Table De Nana says

    June 27, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    I bet the taste is phenomenal..Have fun with this!!

    Reply
  15. Wendy Klik says

    June 27, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    Sounds amazing. I love salsas of all sorts.

    Reply
Abbe Odenwalder - The Great American Recipe Season 2

Welcome!

You may have spotted me on Season 2 of the PBS series “The Great American Recipe.” Being part of a group labeled “the best home cooks in America” is a lot to live up to, but I’m up for the challenge! I'm glad you are here and hope I can set a place for you at my table!

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