When I came across this recipe on Pinterest, I knew I wanted to try it ASAP.
It’s really quick because it uses a combo of canned and fresh veggies, and there’s minimal chopping because it all goes right into the blender.
I love me some salsa made with garden-fresh tomatoes, but as you know, in the winter the tomatoes at the store are both expensive and horrible.
So this recipe is perfect for the blah days of winter when juicy tomatoes are but a faint memory.
Because everything goes into the blender, this is not so much like garden salsa, but more like the smooth-ish salsas you get when a restaurant brings out salsa and chips.
And I know it looks a bit like the salsa you get in a jar, but the cilantro and raw onion make it WAY more fresh-tasting than that. My kids seriously cannot get enough of this.
You should totally go mix up a batch.
Those of you that are Aldi shoppers will be pleased to know that you can buy all of the ingredients for this right at Aldi except for the optional jalapeno.
By the way, I made just a few modifications to the original recipe. I found mine to be a bit too watery, so the next time I made it, I drained the excess liquid from the diced tomatoes.
Also, I found that this salsa was more than sufficiently hot for my family without the jalapeno, so I leave that out. If you like more spice, though, do feel free to add it in!
Wintertime Blender Salsa
1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained of excess liquid
1- 10 oz can original Rotel (you can use a generic brand. I buy mine at Aldi.)
1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not (I leave this out)
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed
juice of 1 lime
Combine everything in a blender or food processor and blend until salsa reaches desired consistency. Taste to check seasoning and add more salt if necessary.
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{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
What is Rotel please?
xxx
Canned tomatoes with some kick to them, peppers, onion, etc. We use them all the time here in Texas
Love Rotel! Great in pinto beans.
Rotel is a brand name of canned diced tomatoes with jalapeno peppers.
I was wondering that too.
That’s interesting that a number of you have never heard of it. Do they not sell it on the west coast, maybe?
I’ve lived in the east nearly all my life and I’d never heard of it. I actually clicked through to the comments just to inquire about it!
They definitely sell Rotel out on the west coast. We consume a lot of Mexican and Tex Mex foods out here.
I know what it is, but I’ve never seen it for sale here (canada)
That looks great! I love salsa. And Aldi
Wyatt is Rotel?
This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!!
Our Aldi’s here in the Fort Worth, Texas area carrries fresh jalapenos, usually 49 cents a pound. Makes wonderful jalapeno soup.
I know Aldi stocks different items in different regions, and this must be one of those instances. I wonder if maybe you have more Tex-Mex type items at your stores than we have in other regions.
My Aldi actually has jalepenos; I’ve been buying them and pickling them for putting on pizza.
Also, blenders: we bent the blades on our very-much-loved immersion blender a while ago. Yesterday I placed a REPLACEMENT part order for my husband’s birthday! Don’t you love it when you can get just the broken part replaced instead of having to buy a whole new one?
Yay for repairing instead of replacing!
If anyone is concerned that salsa won’t be very good with canned tomatoes, several summers ago I didn’t have enough tomatoes in the garden to make my canned salsa for the winter. I switched to canned tomatoes, and no one even noticed the change.
I buy those large institutional-sized cans of tomatoes and make about 8 pints at a time, for under 50 cents a pint-sized jar.
This sounds tasty
And thanks Debbie for clearing up what Rotel is, I’ve never heard of it before.
I use canned tomatoes to make my homemade tomato relish, because I can always get cans much more cheaply than fresh tomatoes, but no one ever notices the difference:
http://www.economiesofkale.net/homemade-tomato-relish/
You may not have heard of Rotel, but I’ve never heard of tomato relish before!
Thanks for the recipe Kristen. I have a semi fresh/not salsa recipe which is good but quite expensive to make. My Aldi has the tomatoes with green chiles as a staple. They had some on clearance for like $.35 a can. I bought all they had and they have last me over a year! I spice up goulash, queso, spaghetti sauce…anything tomato base that I want to give a kick to.
I bet some fire-roasted tomatoes would be super delish! I now know how I am going to get rid of the remaining tortilla chips.
Rotel also make a mild version. I use it in a tortilla soup as the regular is a bit spicy for us. Winco carries it in the canned tomato section. Some stores put in in with salsas and enchilada sauces.
I’ve been wanting to make homemade salsa lately- we eat a ton of it and it gets kind of expensive buying it at the store – there’s no Aldi around here!
I’m totally going to try this!
This looks tasty!!
This looks good. I’m trying pressure-cooker shredded pork tacos tonight, I could make this to go with. I have everything but the cilantro onhand. Guess I have a spot of shopping to do.
Does Aldi sell canned jalapenos?
Aldi sells canned green chilis. I haven’t seen canned jalapenos though… but they do have fresh ones
Yeah, what Reese said, except that I seem to live in an area where fresh jalapenos aren’t stocked. They’re pretty darn cheap at all the other grocery stores, though, so I’m not too worried about it.
Embarrassingly I’ll admit I’ve never made fresh salsa! How bad is that? I have some tortilla chips open (Aldi’s ofcourse!) I’ll have to whip me up some!
Oh, you should! It’s so delicious.
I made this without jalepenos; it was pretty tasty, although thin. But the most important question is … what to do with the rest of the cilantro?!? FG, how could you post a recipe that uses cilantro without giving us ideas for the infamous remainder???
Here are my best eight ways to use it up! Did you drain the extra liquid from the canned tomatoes before you blended up the salsa? I thought mine was a lot better when I did that.
It is supposed to be a fairly thin salsa, though. Not much like pico de gallo.
I didn’t drain the tomatoes – next time I will. This is thin and even. Good to add to canned refries for bean dip, or to cook chicken in; not so good for chips as I prefer salsa fresca.
Thanks for the link, I’ll be needing that soon.
I’m drooling! The salsa looks and sounds delicious!
I wish Aldi would come to San Antonio or New Braunfels, Texas!
This looks fresh and delicious- I’ve tried homemade salsa before and found it too watery- draining the tomatoes first is a good idea. Thanks for sharing!
Kristen,
Would you mind telling us what the Rotel is called from Aldi’s please?
I’m Canadian as well (read never heard of Rotel) but do all my shopping in the US now and am a new convert to Aldis.
I always say, if you see the Amish there, you are getting good deals LOL.
It’s canned tomatoes with chilies…they’re in a smallish can right by the rest of the tomato products.
Since you used a blender here, I have been wondering about blenders…what do you think of high end blenders? Are they worth it? If so, which ones?
Cook’s Illustrated tested high end blenders and their favorite was the Vitamix.