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Chipotle Copycat Hot Salsa Recipe (Red Chili Salsa)– This simple recipe features charred tomatillos, smoky fire-roasted tomatoes, and a perfect blend of spices. Enjoy its bold flavor and customizable heat, which are ideal for dipping or enhancing tacos, grilled meats, and more.
You’ll also love Pollo Asado burrito bowls, Carnitas, and Tacos al Pastor.
Best Chipotle Hot Salsa (copycat)
Known as the spiciest salsa from Chipotle restaurant, this is our homemade version, and I know it will be a hot hit!
- Smoky Flavor: Broiling the tomatillos and using fire-roasted tomatoes infuses the salsa with a deliciously smoky depth and complex flavor that elevates the taste.
- Perfect Heat: The blend of dried chiles provides the ideal amount of spice, balanced with the freshness of lime for a vibrant kick.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: It’s a spot-on recreation of the Chipotle version but with the added joy of making it fresh and adjusting to your exact taste preferences.
This spicy salsa is always a hit, whether served at parties, barbecues, or family dinners!
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
Made with real, fresh ingredients, it’s a healthier option (than the grocery stores!) and doesn’t rely on preservatives or additives, giving you the best salsa from your own kitchen!
- Tomatillos: The main ingredient of this fresh salsa provides a tangy, fresh base. When broiled, they develop a charred, smoky flavor.
- Garlic: Adds pungent depth and a hint of sweetness when sautéed.
- Dried New Mexico or Árbol Chiles: Contribute heat and complexity. New Mexico chiles offer a deeper, earthy taste, while árbol chiles bring a brighter, spicier kick. Adjust the heat level based on your personal preference.
- Ground Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy undertone that pairs well with the chiles.
- Lime Zest: Gives a vibrant citrus note that brightens the salsa.
- Lime Juice: Adds acidity to balance the rich, smoky flavors.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Enhance the smoky taste and add body to the salsa.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Adjust seasoning to taste, highlighting the salsa’s bold flavors.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the garlic and chiles, enriching the overall flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
- Tortilla Chips: Ideal for dipping, letting you savor the salsa’s flavors in each bite.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chipotle Hot Salsa (Step-by-Step Instructions)
This homemade salsa is easy to make! This salsa is straightforward to prepare with just a few simple steps and a blender or food processor. See the recipe card for full recipe instrcutions.
Set the tomatillos on a baking sheet.
Roast the tomatillos until charred.
Add oil, garlic, and spices to a pan.
Warm until fragrant and garlic is cooked.
Add all ingredients to a blender.
Blend until desired consistency.
This fantastic salsa is delcious on carne asada, huevos rancheros,
Substitutions
- Tomatillos: If unavailable, use green tomatoes or a blend of tomatillo salsa and fresh tomatoes for a tangy base.
- New Mexico/Árbol Chiles: Swap with ancho chiles (milder), guajillo chiles (medium heat), or chipotle chiles for a smoky depth. For more intense heat, consider habanero or serrano chiles.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Replace with regular canned tomatoes and add a dash of smoked paprika or roasted red bell pepper for a smoky note.
- Olive Oil: Vegetable oil or avocado oil can work as an alternative for sautéing.
Variations
- Milder Version: Substitute New Mexico or árbol chiles with milder dried chiles like ancho or guajillo. These will deliver a more subtle heat while maintaining a rich, earthy flavor.
- Extra Smoky: Add a bit of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the blend for a deep, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor.
Storage
Store the salsa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 3-4 months.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Blending Texture: For a chunkier salsa, pulse the blender rather than blending continuously. Blend longer for a smoother texture.
- Resting Time: Let the salsa chill for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serving Suggestion: Besides tortilla chips, serve this salsa with grilled meats, over rice bowls, or as a topping for tacos and quesadillas.
FAQs
It depends on the chiles used and your heat tolerance. New Mexico chiles are generally mild, while árbol chiles are hotter. Adjust the quantity based on your spice tolerance.
Yes, but consider roasting them first to develop a richer flavor. Use ripe tomatoes such as Roma tomatoes or plum tomatoes for a similar consistency.
How do we love our tomatillo red-chili salsa? Let us count the ways. Its primary ingredient is the dried red chili pepper – earthy and floral, fruity and hot, smoky and sweet, it gives our beloved hot salsa its delightfully spicy depth and complexity. (from chipotle.com)
More Copycat Recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Serving Suggestions
This delicious salsa pairs well with these recipes.
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Chipotle Hot Salsa Recipe (Copycat)
- Total Time: 30 minutes + chill time
Description
Chipotle Copycat Hot Salsa Recipe (Red Chili Salsa)– This simple recipe features charred tomatillos, smoky fire-roasted tomatoes, and a perfect blend of spices. Enjoy its bold flavor and customizable heat, ideal for dipping or enhancing tacos, grilled meats, and more.
Ingredients
- 12 medium tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
- 5 cloves of garlic, unpeeled and lightly crushed
- 1/2 cup packed dried New Mexico chiles stemmed (OR, 2-3 tablespoons ground New Mexico chile powder)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons lime zest (from about 1 lime)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 (14.5 oz) can of fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your broiler to high.
- Arrange the rinsed tomatillos on a baking sheet. Broil them around 4 inches from the heating element for 10-15 minutes, or until the skins begin to char.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the lightly crushed garlic cloves and dried whole chiles (if using chile powder this will form more of a paste- toasting in the pan will bring out the flavors), sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the garlic turns a light golden color.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the broiled tomatillos, sautéed garlic and chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes (with their juice), lime zest, lime juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Taste the salsa, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired. Refrigerate the salsa for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Serve the salsa chilled with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled meats.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Mexican
- Cuisine: American
Best recipe! It was A fun recipe to try with fresh tomatillos and tomatoes and garlic from my garden.
I’m thrilled you loved it!
This is our favorite hot salsa recipe!