The Best Healthy Salsa Recipes
Homemade salsa
Low in calories and packed with fresh produce, salsa is a super-healthy way to add flavor to dishes like salad, fish, grilled chicken, and the classic tortilla chip. If you typically reach for the jarred stuff, you may be surprised to learn that you can actually get more nutrients and richer flavor from homemade salsa. Since you're making it yourself, you can control ingredients like salt to know exactly what you're getting in every scoop.
RELATED: 26 Low-Fat Mexican Food Recipes
Plus, homemade salsa is incredibly easy to whip up, and you can incorporate unexpected add-ins to transform the recipe way beyond the basic tomatoes-and-onions version (when was the last time you had jicama or cranberries in a store-bought salsa, for example?). Here, our favorite healthy homemade salsa recipes, from classic Mango Salsa to protein-packed White Bean Salsa.
1 of 13
Mediterranean Salsa
Try this recipe: Mediterranean Salsa
This fresh salsa is packed with classic Mediterranean flavors such as Roma tomatoes, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. Serve on a slice of crusty Ciabatta bread for the perfect easy summer appetizer.
Ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil, shallots, garlic, small orange or yellow bell pepper, Roma tomatoes, fresh parsley, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper
2 of 13
Pineapple-Mint Salsa
Try this recipe: Pineapple-Mint Salsa
This salsa recipe tastes like summer on a chip: the combination of pineapple and mint together is unexpected, but totally delicious. Jalapeño adds extra kick.
Ingredients: Diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, chopped fresh mint, fresh lime juice, salt
3 of 13
Chipotle-Corn Salsa
Try this recipe: Chipotle-Corn Salsa
Have extra chipotles from this recipe? Freeze them in adobo individually in an ice cube tray.
Ingredients: Avocado oil, corn kernels, salt and pepper, red onion, poblano chile, tomatoes, chipotles in adobo, fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro
4 of 13
Cranberry Salsa
Try this recipe: Cranberry Salsa
Cranberry salsa is a great cold-weather alternative to varieties that call for summer produce. As a bonus, cranberries are packed with good-for-you antioxidants; in fact, they're second only to blueberries in their disease-fighting compounds.
Ingredients: Cranberries, maple syrup, water, sweet onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime zest, lime juice, salt, pepper.
Calories: 47
5 of 13
Peach-Tomato Salsa
Try this recipe: Peach-Tomato Salsa
Juicy peach adds tons of flavor to homemade salsa. This sweet and spicy version is perfect with chips, but you can also put it on your salad or eat it plain for a low-calorie snack.
Ingredients: Peach, tomato, mint, cilantro, sweet onion, lime, jalapeño, salt
Calories: 14
6 of 13
Crunchy Jicama Salsa With Blue Corn Chips
Try this recipe: Crunchy Jicama Salsa With Blue Corn Chips
Jicama and lime juice create super-fresh flavor that also is slightly sweet. And bell pepper, onion, and jicama add satisfying crunch for your chips.
Ingredients: Jicama, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, blue corn chips
Calories: 110
7 of 13
Spiced Tortillas With Tropical Fruit Salsa
Try this recipe: Spiced Tortillas With Tropical Fruit Salsa
This sweet, slightly spicy fruit salsa tastes like a tropical vacation. It's delicious alongside our spiced tortilla chips (you just need sugar, cinnamon, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and whole-weight tortillas to make them). Choose a pineapple that's plump for the salsa with a firm body and fresh, green leaves.
Ingredients: Unsweetened coconut, fresh pineapple, kiwis, chopped strawberries, fresh lime juice
Calories: 258 (including the spiced tortilla chips)
8 of 13
Mango Salsa
Five ingredients are all you need to whip up this delicious salsa recipe, which is packed with beta-carotene and fiber, plus plenty of flavor from the fresh cilantro and red onion. This homemade salsa is delicious served on top of grilled fish or chicken.
Ingredients: Mangoes, red onion, cucumber, cilantro, fresh lime juice, salt and pepper
Calories: 77
9 of 13
Fresh Corn Salsa
Try this recipe: Fresh Corn Salsa
This fresh summer salsa recipe is incredibly low in calories, just 29 per serving. It's delicious with chips or on top of grilled chicken, or crab cakes.
Ingredients: Corn kernels, tomato, jalapeno, fresh cilantro, garlic, salt
Calories: 29
10 of 13
Bean and Corn Salsa
Try this recipe: Bean and Corn Salsa
Fiber-rich black beans and corn kernels in this fresh salsa will keep you fuller for longer. The recipe is low in fat, calories (only 30 calories for 1/2 cup), and sodium. Serve with whole-grain tortilla chips or pita wedges, or on top of grilled chicken or baked potatoes.
Ingredients: Tomato, Vidalia or other sweet onion, tomatillos, black beans, fresh corn kernels, fresh parsley, fresh lime juice, salt, freshly ground black pepper, hot sauce
Calories: 15
11 of 13
White Bean Salsa
Try this recipe: White Bean Salsa
White beans might not be your first choice to put in a salsa recipe, but they add tons of flavor and nutrients. This recipe is packed with protein and fiber.
Ingredients: White kidney beans, lime juice, salt, plum tomato, scallions
Calories: 136
12 of 13
New West Salsa
Try this recipe: New West Salsa
Granny Smith apple and chopped cucumber add incredible crunch to this salsa recipe, which is hearty enough to be a side dish all on its own.
Ingredients: Plum tomato, Granny Smith apple, chopped cucumber, red bell pepper, green onions, red onion, fresh cilantro, chopped seeded jalapeno, balsamic vinegar, fresh lime juice, sugar, salt, freshly ground black pepper
Calories: 33