Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

What are tomatillos?

A tomatillo is a small, green fruit that belongs to the nightshade family. It's sometimes referred to as a Mexican tomato because they resemble green tomatoes, but they aren't actually tomatoes. They have bright green skin and are wrapped in loose papery husks that's easy to remove.

Ingredient notes

• Tomatillos: You can find fresh tomatillos at your grocery store in the produce department or at the local farmers market. Grab tomatillos that are small-medium sized and firm.
• Onion: White onion gives the salsa a mild, savory taste.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds extra flavor and a hint of nuttiness when roasted.
• Jalapeno: I like to balance my salsa out with a chili pepper, like jalapeno. For a spicier salsa, replace with a serrano pepper. For a mild salsa, leave the pepper out.
• Cilantro: A handful of cilantro adds a fresh flavor. If you're not a fan, like me, leave it out or only use a little bit.
• Lime: Fresh lime juice balances out the sweet and spicy flavors plus adds bright, citrus notes.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt really brings out all of the flavors of the different ingredients.

How to make tomatillo salsa

The full directions for this green salsa are below in the printable recipe card.

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Start by removing the tomatillo husks. They'll be pretty sticky so once the outer husks are removed, give the tomatillos a good rinse under cold water. Give the tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalapeno a rough chop.

Step 2: Roast the ingredients

Toss together in a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet with a couple tablespoons of avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven at 450F for 15-20 minutes.

Alternatively, make smoked salsa on the pellet grill by smoking at 250F for 60 minutes, or until soft and roasted. (This is Zack's preferred method!)

Step 3: Blend the ingredients

Transfer roasted ingredients to a blender or food processor. Add cilantro with stems and fresh lime juice. Blend until smooth and creamy, or until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or lime juice, if needed.

Serving suggestions

Fresh tomatillo salsa verde is delicious served with chips and your favorite dips like guacamole. It's also delicious topped on breakfast tacos, brisket tacos, burrito bowls, and more!

Related recipes

Want more homemade salsa recipes? Try my chipotle corn salsa for a better-than-takeout copycat recipe, mango habanero salsa for a juicy and chunky salsa, spicy peach salsa for a refreshing dip, or my texas caviar for a zesty salsa that's a family favorite and guaranteed crowd-pleaser.