Home » Appetizer Recipes » Copycat Chili’s Salsa (+Video)

Copycat Chili’s Salsa (+Video)

This Super Simple Copycat Chili’s Salsa whips up in five minutes. Tomatoes, onions, a special blend of seasonings and a touch of jalapeño.

A RESTAURANT FAVORITE APPETIZER

This salsa is so easy to make and whips up quickly. Chili’s Salsa has a nice, smooth flavor and consistency that doesn’t drown out the flavor of whatever other food you eat it with. I think this salsa tastes a lot, if not better, than the salsa they serve at Chili’s restaurants.

small, clear bowl of salsa in a basket with tortilla chips.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Should homemade salsa be cooked?

No. It does not need to be. If you are using fresh tomatoes, you will want to par-boil the tomatoes to remove the skins. Then you will want to gently cook them until they turn soft to make for a nice, smooth salsa.

Why do some people add vinegar to salsa?

If you are going to can salsa or you purchased jarred salsa, you will notice there is some sort of additional acid added like vinegar. This is to prevent any type of dangerous bacteria from growing. But for fresh salsa that you will be eating right away, it is not necessary.

How is traditional salsa made?

The basic traditional salsa is simply made with tomatoes, onion, chili peppers and spices. That is the salsa base recipe and other ingredients can be added from there to suit your tastes.

How do you make salsa spicier?

If you like it really hot, add more jalapeño and include the seeds. The heat from a jalapeño comes from the seeds and the veins/pith.

Why do you add sugar?

It is a really small amount of sugar and you don’t taste it. It is just there to cut the strong acidity from the tomatoes.

How do you store leftover salsa?

Leftover salsa should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will last up to a week. If you are going to can this salsa, you will need to add about a tablespoon of lime juice or vinegar before following proper canning procedures.

Copycat Chili's Salsa in a clear bowl with a hand dipping a tortilla chip into the salsa.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles)
  • can of whole peeled tomatoes
  • jalapeno
  • yellow onion
  • garlic
  • garlic salt
  • kosher salt
  • ground cumin
  • sugar
Rotel, Peeled Whole Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic Salt, Kosher Salt, Cumin, jalapeno.

HOW TO MAKE CHILI’S SALSA:

This is easiest in a food processor but you can use a blender too. Place jalapeño and onion in the food processor.

diced onion and jalapeno in a food processor.

Process it for a few seconds.

fully blended onion and jalapeños in a food processor.

Add in the rest of the ingredients.

the rest of the salsa ingredients added into the food processor.

Process all ingredients for just a few more seconds, keeping it slightly chunky (not a puree.)

fully processed salsa in a food processor.

Put into a bowl with a lid (I like to put mine in mason jars). Chill for several hours (overnight is best). This step is really important because this is a salsa that just gets so much better over time. After a few hours, the flavors really blend and the flavor is enhanced. Trust me, it makes a big difference in the taste.

overhead view of salsa in a small bowl surrounded by tortilla chips.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Copycat Chili's Salsa

Copycat Chili’s Salsa

This Super Simple Copycat Chili's Salsa whips up in five minutes. Whole tomatoes, special blend of seasonings, onion and jalapeño. The best!
4.96 from 24 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • ½ jalapeño, cut into chunks (you can remove veins and seeds for less spice)
  • ½ yellow onion, cut into chunks
  • 15 ounce can tomatoes and green chiles (like Rotel)
  • 15 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, do not drain
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  • Place 1/2 jalapeño, cut into chunks and 1/2 yellow onion, cut into chunks into food processor. Process it for a few seconds.
  • Add 15 ounce can tomatoes and green chiles, 15 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, do not drain, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/4 teaspoon sugar and process all ingredients for just a few more seconds, keeping it slightly chunky (not a puree).
  • Put into a bowl with a lid (I like to use a large mason jar) and chill in the fridge for AT LEAST SEVERAL HOURS (overnight is even better).
  • Then serve with tortilla chips.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Please do not eat right away. YOU MUST let this marinate for several hours (overnight is best.) Trust me, this makes a HUGE difference.
  • Add fresh cilantro if you enjoy the taste.
  • A blender can be used in place of a food processor.
  • For less heat, remove the veins/pith and seeds from the jalapeño after slicing.
  • You don’t taste the sugar, it just helps cut some of the strong acidity from the tomatoes. 
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 442mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Originally published: April 2011
Updated & republished: December 2021

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Recipe Rating




64 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    SO. GOOD. I love Chili’s salsa and this is PERFECT!! Easy ingredients and easy process!
    One question because I used a mini processor size and it was too small. I ended up having to split and blend it a few times to mix. What size food processor did you use?

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is my own personal crack. After making this, I have had to let my family know if they want me to make some, it has to go home with them. I don’t even need chips, just a spoon will do, lol. Totally love this recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    I eliminated the jalapeno, drained the rotel, used a can of diced tomatoes, put half the cumin. It’s awesome for my palate and had just amount of kick. Yummo. My go to recipe from now on will never purchase again.

  4. 5 stars
    I make this salsa to have along with your chicken enchiladas 🙂 My fiance loves both recipes and says that the salsa is some of the best. We will not be buying jars of salsa anymore because this is so easy to make and delicious. Can't thank you enough!

  5. 5 stars
    Gah! So good Brandie. Thank you! I sent everyone to your site for the recipe! I took your advice and added a little bit of cilantro. So yummy!

  6. I can't wait to try this. I have to watch my salt so I can adjust for me. I love how simple it sounds. I love salsa. I think I will leave mine a little chunky. Thanks so much.

  7. There is really no reason to worry about how long it can be stored in my house. It never lasts more than a couple of days. It is delicious and addictive and whenever I make it I wander why I ever buy salsa premade. I like to add chopped cilantro to it. Just a little though. This is very good and the taste is much fresher than store bought salsa.

  8. It seems I missed a comment or two on here – so sorry! First of all – this is a thinner type salsa. I don't drain any of the cans. This salsa was inspired by the one at Chili's restaurant. If you want a thicker salsa, then by all means, please drain the cans or just one of the cans.
    This can be canned and stored up for later. It has about a 6 month shelf life if canned properly. I haven't actually tried freezing it but I don't see why it wouldn't hold up well in the freezer. If anyone has tried freezing it – please let me know!
    Snowmanlover – thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you. So happy you enjoyed it!

  9. Just wondering–Can you process this in jars to can, or could you freeze it to keep for later? I am wanting a recipe to use for making a large quantity to put for winter.

  10. Hi there! Was just making this and see you noted not to drain the tomatoes, but what about the Rotel chilis? I questioned it beforehand, but dumped it all in anyway. Now, this seems really thin. Lynn

  11. YUM-O!!! Will make your recipe and serve it on our "Salsa" bowl. lol – Thank you, sweet Brandie. ♥♥♥

  12. Super simple and super fresh…we love it! Thanks so much for sharing another winner in today's Round-Up. Be sure and enter it on our website too, if you feel like sharing. :)Here's a handy link: You may just find yourself in a Gooseberry Patch cookbook someday soon! Thanks again. 🙂

  13. Hi Jeanne! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know how much you enjoyed it!! So glad you liked it 🙂
    You can keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. To be honest, I've probably stretched it up to a week and a half before without problems.

  14. I made this on Saturday and couldn't wait two hours to try it…it was so good! We had some last night after it was sitting for over 24 hours and it was even better. I've been looking for a good salsa recipe and I've found it! Thanks 🙂

    Question, how long do you think it stays good?