What do you think of when you think of salsa? If you are like most Americans, the first thing, which comes to mind, is probably the very mild sauces which are available in a jar at any grocery store or convenience store. This tomato-based, mild flavored salsa is indeed a type which you may see in Mexico, but there is a lot more to Mexican salsas than the Americanized variety you can find just about anywhere.

Salsa is actually the best-selling condiment in the United States; while the type discussed above is the one you will tend to see the most often, salsa is something in which there is nearly endless variety available. If you have a low tolerance for spice and heat, do not worry Mexican salsa recipes run the gamut from the mild and flavorful to the fiery, so there is at least one out there, which is certain to become a new favorite.

As it happens, salsa refers to a great number of different condiments and sauces. In fact, the word salsa is simply the Spanish word for sauce. However, when most of use the word, we are thinking of a specific type of condiment used largely in Mexican, southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisines. The world of Mexican salsas is a lot bigger than many of us think, with salsa recipes including a lot of different ingredients and some being quite a bit different than what we usually think of as salsa.

There are the familiar red-colored tomato based sauces with jalapenos and other chili peppers and herbs, green salsas made from tomatillos; and for those who want something with a little more kick, even green salsas made mostly from hot peppers rather than tomatoes! Some salsas are based on other ingredients such as ground pumpkin seeds or ground dried peppers like pasilla and guajillo peppers.

For those looking for Mexican recipes like a milder Mexican salsa recipe, which offer something, a little bit different, a fruit salsa may be in order. Peach salsas are especially popular, with the sweetness and tartness of the peaches and tomatoes complimenting each other perfectly.

You can also make your own fruit salsas at home. While mangoes and peaches are both great choices, do not be afraid to experiment and find your own combinations. Pineapple, avocado, and other fruits can all be used in salsa with delicious results.

One of the easiest salsas to make is pico de gallo. The name means “rooster’s beak” in Spanish and can be made in almost no time at all. You may have tried this salsa yourself in a restaurant; but it is easy and quick to make at home and it is an ideal complement for many Mexican dishes as well as being a great dip for tortilla chips. The recipe is very simple, calling for diced tomato, onion and jalapeno along with cilantro and a little limejuice. It is simplicity itself, but incredibly good.

Since the space we have here is not enough to cover all of the different delicious Mexican salsas and salsa recipes, which there are to try, we hope that this introduction has sparked your interest in exploring these condiments further. It’s easy to make your own salsas at home and with some experimentation and a little of your own creative touch, you’re certain to come up with some new salsa recipes which can bring an entirely new dimension to your Mexican recipes and any other dishes you choose to serve them with.

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