Smoked Salsa
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If making fresh salsa is on your to do list and you’re looking for a smoky, delicious salsa recipe, look no further! This amazing Smoked Salsa prepared on your pellet grill has tons of flavor from tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, garlic and seasonings. It’s perfect for summer days, football season, taco night or just to snack on anytime.
Homemade salsa already tastes better than anything you can get at the store – but this smoked salsa is next level! There are a lot of recipes for salsa out there, but smoking the fresh vegetables brings out a rich and unique flavor, making this salsa so addictive.
Add this to your game day menu with beer brats and hamburgers! You can make it the day before the game, allow it to chill overnight, and then serve it with your favorite chips. Or maybe you want to switch up your family’s Taco Tuesday with a Taco Burger? This smoked salsa is a GREAT topping! This simple salsa recipe is easy to follow and will give you some of the best salsa out there!
Why You’ll Love Smoked Salsa
- Smoked salsa is the perfect make ahead appetizer or side dish! Make it one day, or a few days before you need it to save yourself some prep time.
- This recipe is easily adaptable. Whether you like a mild salsa, a classic salsa or an extra hot salsa, you’ll love this recipe!
- If you have leftover smoked tomato salsa that you can’t eat with chips before it goes bad, you can use it as a marinade or topping in many different recipes.
Ingredients for this Smoked salsa Recipe
- Roma Tomatoes – Fresh roma tomatoes have the best flavor! They’re perfect for this smoked salsa recipe.
- Jalapeño Peppers – The heat level of jalapeños is great in this smoked salsa, but if you like your salsa extra spicy then you could use Serrano peppers.
- Red Onion – A red onion will have the better flavor for salsa than a white or yellow onion.
- Fresh Cilantro – Cilantro adds the perfect herby goodness to the flavor palate of the smoked tomato salsa.
- Lime – Lime juice is a great finishing touch to any great salsa recipe.
- Garlic – Smoking whole garlic cloves brings out a wonderful flavor and takes the salsa to the next level.
- Salt – Be sure to measure out your salt so that your salsa isn’t overpowered with a salty flavor.
How to make smoked Salsa
While your pellet grill is preheating, slice open your tomatoes, onions (remove outer layer), and peppers. Add them to a disposable aluminum pan, along with your whole cloves of garlic, and toss them with salt. If you don’t have a disposable pan handy, you can also use a large sheet pan.
Place the foil pan in the smoker, uncovered, and let it smoke for about an hour and a half. Be sure you stop and toss it a few times during the smoking process.
Remove your smoked vegetables from the smoker and allow them to cool.
Add the smoked vegetables, fresh cilantro, lime juice and zest to a food processor. Use the pulse setting on the food processor and blend until it is the desired consistency.
Grab one of your favorite tortilla chips and give that salsa a taste test! Add additional salt if needed.
Serve immediately or refrigerate in a lidded glass jar for 24 hours to allow all the flavors to meld together well.
How to Serve Smoked Salsa
Eat this delicious smoked tomato salsa with your favorite corn tortilla chips. Or, use it as a topping on tasty meals like smoked pork tacos, flank steak tacos or pulled pork nachos.
Storage Tips for Smoked Salsa
Store your salsa in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for about a week. Pro-tip, your salsa will actually taste extra good if you leave it in the fridge for 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to really combine!
You can also freeze smoked salsa if you make a really big batch. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and serve. It might be a little more watery after freezing – if you find this is true, stir in some tomato paste to thicken it!
Which Wood Chips Should I use?
Something mild like hickory will add a great smoke flavor but whatever you already have in your smoker will work just as well. A smokier taste will come from heavier woods such as mesquite or oak.
Do I cover the Pan while the veggies are in the smoker?
No! Leave the pan uncovered to allow the vegetables to really get that great smoky flavor.
Do I have to use Roma Tomatoes?
Nope! We prefer Roma tomatoes in this smoked salsa recipe, but you could use beefsteak tomatoes or any other variety you prefer. Roma tomatoes aren’t as watery as a tomato like a beefsteak so your salsa might have a bit more juice, that’s all.
Why is my Salsa so watery?
If you end up with really runny salsa, that means you probably blended it too long in the food processor. When you process the ingredients, use the pulse button so that you can stop it when it is the right consistency.
Pro Tips for the Best Smoked Salsa
- To make your salsa experience even better, consider making your own homemade tortilla chips.
- Leave your salsa in the fridge for 24 hours before serving so the flavors have time to really sink in.
- If you like your salsa really spicy, experiment by using different hot peppers to change the spice level.
- Use garden fresh tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and onions for an extra fresh and inviting flavor!
- Be sure to pulse the veggies in the food processor so you don’t end up with salsa that is too runny!
This smoked salsa recipe is just what you need to satisfy the snackers at your next party! Put it out with your favorite corn tortilla chips and you’ll be refilling the bowl in no time. A great topping or dip for tacos, nachos and quesadillas too!
More Recipes You’ll Love
- This Grilled Corn Salad is crazy good and a great addition to any cookout menu!
- Need a super simple and tasty side dish for dinner? Try making Grilled Zucchini.
- Making BBQ Baked Beans on the Grill is a game changer for summer bbq’s!
- If you’ve never tried Smoked Deviled Eggs, you’re missing out.
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Smoked Salsa
Ingredients
- 6 – 8 Roma tomatoes halved
- 1 medium red onion quartered
- 1 Jalapeno pepper halved
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime Juiced and zested
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat pellet grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add your tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper, and garlic to a disposable aluminum pan. Toss together with salt.
- Place the pan into the preheated smoker and smoke for 90 minutes. Tossing a couple of times during smoking.
- Remove from the smoker and allow to cool.
- Add the cooked vegetables to a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients (cilantro, lime juice, and zest).
- Pulse in blender until reduced to desired consistency. Add additional salt to taste.
- Serve fresh or transfer to a resealable jar and chill for 24 hours to allow the flavors to combine.
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