This copycat Chili’s salsa recipe is the closest to the original and highly addictive. It’s super easy to make and has the perfect consistency and flavor!
Post may include affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, you won’t pay anything extra but it will help support this blog.
Nathan would live on chips and salsa if he could, and my kids would live on nachos with a side of salsa mixed with ranch. (Don’t knock it until you try it.) I enjoy the chips and salsa thing as well, though I prefer to mix in other foods now and then.
Twix is a food, right?
While we love Jack’s salsa from Costco, sometimes I spoil the family and make a batch of homemade salsa. Our favorite is this fire roasted salsa, but I’d already made that homemade salsa recipe for a previous progressive dinner.
I talked about our annual Relief Society progressive dinner in last week’s coconut poke cake post.
That’s when I went on a hunt for the perfect copycat Chili’s salsa recipe.
I found a lot of copycat Chili’s salsa recipes on the Interweb, so I did a bit of comparing and tweaking and came up with what my entire family feels is the absolute most delicious copycat recipe ever made. It was the perfect consistency and the perfect flavor.
Most important, it paired well with our favorite tortilla chips!
And yes, I’m tempted to buy that pack of 12 from Amazon…
Make sure you make this copycat Chili’s salsa early enough so it has plenty of time to refrigerate. I suggest preparing it a day ahead, allowing hours and hours for those yummy salsa flavors to marinate together.
Believe me when I say it gets even better a day or two later.
Also, do NOT puree the salsa. You don’t want large chunks—one reason I love Chili’s salsa—but you don’t want soup.
This is when a food processor comes in handy. I also love my food processor for this yummy fire roasted salsa recipe. Mmm…
If you don’t have one, treat yourself to a New Year’s Eve gift and pick one up. This Hamilton Beach food processor is a bestseller and less than $25!
Not a fan of super tomato-y salsa? Try this super easy mango salsa. Bet you didn’t know canned diced mangoes were a thing!
You can also whip up a batch of this cowboy caviar—it’s awesome when serving a crowd.
Printable copycat chili’s salsa recipe below. Enjoy!
Copycat Chili's Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 can Rotel Original Diced Tomtaoes & Green Chilies, (14.5-oz)
- 1 can whole tomatoes plus juice, (14.5-oz)
- 1 T canned diced jalapenos
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 to 2 T chopped fresh cilantro, (optional)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1 T fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Place jalapenos and onions in a food processor and pulse for a few seconds.
- Add both cans of tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, salt, cumin, sugar and lime juice and process until well blended. Do NOT puree.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
Notes
FOLLOW HALF-SCRATCHED ON INSTAGRAM (@half_scratched) and share the recipes you're whipping up in the kitchen. Don't forget the #HALFSCRATCHED hashtag so we can see what you've made!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 26 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 252mg Carbohydrates: 5g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 3g Protein: 1g
If you like homemade guacamole and salsa, try these delicious appetizer recipes. They’re definitely crowd pleasers!
--this%20salsa%20is%20super%20easy%20and%20is%20like%20crack.%20You'll%20want%20to%20eat%20the%20entire%20bowl!%20%7C%20isthisREALLYmylife.com)
camila
May 26, 2018 at 4:56 pmlove this recipe! Looks so full of flavor! I’ve never been to Chili’s as far as I remember, but if their salsa looks like this then they must be good!
Emily Hill
May 29, 2018 at 2:19 pmIt really is one of the best homemade salsas, especially for those who don’t like the chunkier salsa.
Roxana
May 26, 2018 at 5:10 pmI really like salsa and chips. I would definitely make this. Nice to have a made from scratch recipe.
Emily Hill
May 29, 2018 at 2:20 pmFrom-scratch salsa tastes soooo good!
EA The Spicy RD
May 26, 2018 at 5:26 pmI will confess that I although I usually make guacamole, I tend to buy my salsa. This looks so easy and delicious though, that I definitely want to give it a try! Your fire roasted salsa looks fabulous as well!
Emily Hill
May 29, 2018 at 2:19 pmWe buy salsa too and especially love the Jack’s salsa from Costco. But it’s fun to make your own!
Caroline
May 26, 2018 at 7:11 pmLooks good. I never seem to get round to letting my salsa chill, but I can see how it would help the flavor.
Emily Hill
May 29, 2018 at 2:17 pmIt definitely helps the flavor!
Leslie
May 26, 2018 at 7:58 pmIt certainly looks like it came from Chili’s! I want to have a salsa and chip party with all of your salsa recipes. I love the variety.
Emily Hill
May 29, 2018 at 2:20 pmA chips and salsa party sounds like an awesome idea!
Paige
June 26, 2018 at 6:14 pmI made this last night and it was perfect! Chili’s is my favorite salsa and this was definitely on point. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Emily Hill
June 26, 2018 at 8:51 pmI’m SO glad you liked it! Thank you so much for leaving such a nice comment and rating the recipe. You’re the best!
Nicole
August 3, 2018 at 12:26 pmDo you drain the rotel too?
Emily Hill
August 3, 2018 at 12:48 pmNope! You don’t drain the Rotel or the canned tomatoes.
Michael Wurm Jr
September 7, 2018 at 8:24 pmLove Chili’s salsa! Can’t wait to try this recipe! Yum!!
Emily Hill
September 7, 2018 at 9:43 pmI love it to. It’s my fave! Hope you like it!
Katerina @ diethood .com
September 8, 2018 at 2:50 amHomemade salsa is the BEST!! I can’t wait to give this a try, it looks incredible!
Emily Hill
September 8, 2018 at 8:56 amHomemade salsa really is the best. I hope you like it!
Sabrina
September 8, 2018 at 10:10 amI’m with Nathan, I could easily make chips and salsa my meal most nights of the week! I love a good copycat so I can’t wait to try this one, thanks!
Emily Hill
September 8, 2018 at 10:11 amI could make it my meal lunch and dinner most every day!
Carolyn
September 10, 2018 at 11:10 amThat is the perfect salsa!
Emily Hill
September 10, 2018 at 5:23 pmI like to think so!
Paige
April 28, 2019 at 12:43 amI know this might sound stupid but does the T for the lime juice and jalapeno mean tablespoon? I really want to make this but want to do it right!
Emily Hill
April 28, 2019 at 8:47 amThat doesn’t sound stupid at all–it’s a great question! Yes, the T stands for tablespoon. Hope you like the recipe!
Lori
May 1, 2019 at 9:42 pmWOW! I made it and it was a hit! Had to make two more batches and although it was good,chilling it for awhile is a taste difference. I browned some ground beef and grated some mild cheddar and Munster cheese…. instant nacho bar!
Emily Hill
May 6, 2019 at 9:15 amThat sounds delish! And yes, I’m a fan of making it the day before and chilling it overnight. :)
Sam G
May 7, 2019 at 12:00 pmSorry if this is a stupid question, but I can only find whole canned tomatoes in 28oz cans. Is the 14.5 oz you have listed correct? If so any idea how much of the 28 pz can’s juice to use?
Emily Hill
May 7, 2019 at 7:54 pmNot a stupid question! It is correct so I’d say go with about half the can and juice. You may have to pour the juice into a measuring cup to see about how much is in there. Sorry!
Chili fanatic
June 17, 2019 at 9:16 amMade this salsa on Saturday for Sunday evening. It was horrible!! Nothing like Chili’s. Followed all instruction and amounts.
Emily Hill
June 17, 2019 at 5:28 pmOh no! Every time we’ve made it–or my daughter’s made it–it’s been a hit. I’m so sorry!