Did you know salsa is loosely translated as "sauce?" Because of this broad definition, there are many types of salsa that go far beyond just being paired with tortilla chips as a snack or appetizer. 

Diversify your salsa skills by learning how to make new types of salsas that pair with endless dishes. You will be surprised how easy it is to make these new salsa recipes! 

Basics of Making a New Salsa Recipe

Simply chopping up tomatoes, peppers and onions give the basics of making your own salsa for a fresh, light topping for various entrees or simply served with chips. Adding in chopped cilantro, garlic, ground cumin, and/or lime juice are other common additions to salsa.

The ratios and amounts of these ingredients can be tailored to personal preferences. It could be fun to experiment with different types of tomatoes, peppers, and optional add-ins to find the exact measurements and flavors that you and your family like best.

A further separation of salsas is consistency. According to The Kitchn, pico de gallo (or called salsa fresco) is a type of fresh, uncooked salsa that is chunky with each ingredient clearly seen. Regular salsa can also be made in a blender and have a thinner consistency with ingredients somewhat more muddled together.

So, fresh, homemade salsa can be made as long as the ingredients can be chopped up no matter how chunky or thin you want the end result to be.

6 New Salsa Recipes For Every Occasion

Ready to take salsa-making skills to the next level? Here are new salsa recipes that can really be used as a "secret sauce" for many dishes. 

As you will see, these new salsa recipes are easy to put together making them even more likely to be on repeat throughout the year!

1. Mango Salsa for Chicken

The main staple of salsa is of course usually tomatoes, but not all of the time. A case in point - this mango salsa paired with jerk chicken! The sweet mango paired with peppers, cilantro, and lime juice pairs perfectly with the jerk seasoning on the chicken.

Mix the following ingredients in a bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to eat:

• 1 peeled, seeded, and diced medium ripe mango (with yellow skin)
• 2 Tbsp of cilantro chopped fine
• 1 finely diced jalapeno (add more if you like added spice and heat)
• 1/4 cup finely diced red bell peppers
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• Dash of white or black pepper

2. Tomato and Avocado Salsa for Chips

This tomato and avocado salsa will be a go-to crowd pleaser for pairing with chips for a unique combination between salsa and guacamole! Simply combine the following in a bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to eat:

• 8 plum tomatoes, diced
• 2 small, sweet onion, diced
• 3-4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
• ½ cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 hass avocados, cleaned and diced
• 2 limes
• A pinch of sea salt

3. Blender Tomato Salsa for Quick Meals

While any salsa recipe can have ingredients tossed in a blender for ease of making, blender tomato salsa is specifically designed to put all ingredients in the blender for a perfectly blended - but not pureed - salsa.

Any tomato can be used - even canned tomatoes if that is all you have on hand. Combine the below ingredients in a blender and store for at least 2 to 3 hours in the refrigerator before making:

• 5-6 fresh tomatoes
• 1/3 bunch fresh cilantro about 1/3 cup loosely packed
• 1/4 cup red onion and/or sweet onion
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 pinch granulated sugar (optional)

Keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a week to use whenever salsa is needed. This versatile salsa can go great with almost anything - from classic Mexican cuisine to black bean omelets, wraps, and more.

4. Pico de Gallo for Tacos or Nachos

Pico de gallo is also referred to as salsa fresca or salsa cruda. Pico is a type of salsa that uses equal parts of fresh diced tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Cilantro and lime juice round out the ingredients for a classic and delicious pico de gallo for nachos or tacos.

Natasha's Kitchen pico de gallo has the following ingredients that simply need to be mixed in a bowl:

• 1 lb tomatoes (3-4 medium), diced
• ½ medium onion (1 cup chopped)
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely minced (other milder pepper could also be used)
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
• ½ teaspoon of salt, or to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Let the pico sit a day before using for optimal flavor and another pro tip: Wear plastic gloves when seeding the jalapeno.

5. Salsa Verde for Burritos and Egg Dishes

Green salsa, or salsa verde, deserves as much fanfare as the more popular red salsa. Salsa verde gets the green color from using tomatillos in place of red tomatoes and can pair perfectly as a sauce for burritos and any egg dish.

Tomatillos can be found in most large or specialty grocery stores, and have a paper-like outer hull that needs to be peeled away to reveal the green fruit. If fresh tomatillos are not available, substitute canned tomatillos for this salsa verde recipe from Mexican Please. 

While there is some cooking time with using tomatillos, the end result is worth the extra effort to make this sauce. To start, peel 4 to 5 medium tomatillos. Roast the tomatillos in a 400F oven for 10 to 20 minutes or until they start to turn army green in color. 

Then combine roasted tomatillos in a blender with: 

• 1 serrano pepper (or sub a milder pepper)
• 1/2 white onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 10-12 sprigs cilantro
• Salt to taste

6. Peach Salsa for Fish or Pork

Mangos are not the only fruit to share the spotlight with tomatoes as a star ingredient for salsa. Peach salsa can be another sweet and spicy condiment that pairs especially well with fish and pork dishes.

Natasha's Kitchen peach salsa has the following ingredients mixed in a bowl:

• 1 lb tomatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1.5 lbs peaches, diced (recommended to keep the skin on)
• 1/2 bunch of chopped cilantro
• 1 lime, juiced (2 Tbsp)
• 1.5 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Unique Salsa Recipes Recap

Salsa has many variations and uses that are far beyond the "usual" commercially made red, jarred salsa paired with chips. Salsa can be made chunky, thin, and with various ingredients that can be used in countless ways.

While it may be debated what composes the best salsa, what is more widely agreed upon is homemade salsa far surpasses commercially made salsa. On top of the taste and freshness, different types of salsa are surprisingly easy to make. 

Salsa ingredients can be put in a blender or chopped up in a matter of minutes and kept in the refrigerator to be used with eggs, chips, tacos, burritos, wraps, and more!