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!
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. 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
After comparing other copycat Chili's salsa recipes and making a few tweaks, this copycat recipe is by far the closest to the original... and quite addictive.
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
- ¼ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 to 2 T chopped fresh cilantro, (optional)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon 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: 26Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 252mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g
If you like homemade guacamole and salsa, try these delicious appetizer recipes. They’re definitely crowd pleasers!
camila
love 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
It really is one of the best homemade salsas, especially for those who don’t like the chunkier salsa.
Roxana
I really like salsa and chips. I would definitely make this. Nice to have a made from scratch recipe.
Emily Hill
From-scratch salsa tastes soooo good!
EA The Spicy RD
I 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
We buy salsa too and especially love the Jack’s salsa from Costco. But it’s fun to make your own!
Caroline
Looks good. I never seem to get round to letting my salsa chill, but I can see how it would help the flavor.
Emily Hill
It definitely helps the flavor!
Leslie
It 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
A chips and salsa party sounds like an awesome idea!
Paige
I 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
I’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
Do you drain the rotel too?
Emily Hill
Nope! You don’t drain the Rotel or the canned tomatoes.
Michael Wurm Jr
Love Chili’s salsa! Can’t wait to try this recipe! Yum!!
Emily Hill
I love it to. It’s my fave! Hope you like it!
Katerina @ diethood .com
Homemade salsa is the BEST!! I can’t wait to give this a try, it looks incredible!
Emily Hill
Homemade salsa really is the best. I hope you like it!
Sabrina
I’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
I could make it my meal lunch and dinner most every day!
Carolyn
That is the perfect salsa!
Emily Hill
I like to think so!
Paige
I 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
That doesn’t sound stupid at all–it’s a great question! Yes, the T stands for tablespoon. Hope you like the recipe!
Lori
WOW! 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
That sounds delish! And yes, I’m a fan of making it the day before and chilling it overnight. :)
Ortac
Hi. What does T stand for?
Emily Hill
Sorry! It stands for tablespoon. :)
MrsIncredible
Thank you for this! This has become the base for my homemade salsa recipe now. Used it several times with some tweaks. I’m a minimalist with salsa and guacamole, so I cut out the cumin. I don’t measure the lime and just add 1 juiced lime (it’s probably closer to 1.5 Tablespoons). I add lots of cilantro and use green onion instead of yellow. Most onions can be too intense if you over-blend them so it’s safer to use green onions for me. I double this batch and my whole family of picky eaters loves it!
Sam G
Sorry 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
Not 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!
Toni
Or u could simply DOUBLE the rest of the recipe… just sayin. 😉
Chili fanatic
Made this salsa on Saturday for Sunday evening. It was horrible!! Nothing like Chili’s. Followed all instruction and amounts.
Emily Hill
Oh no! Every time we’ve made it–or my daughter’s made it–it’s been a hit. I’m so sorry!
Louise Jablonski
I made this..and had Chilis Salsa at home too…it tasted nothing like Chilis Salsa. It was way too tomato yyyyy.
Mel Meloche
Can this be made doubling the recipe ? Would it work if canning it for future use? Just thinking I could make a big batch and canning it then grab a jar when family is in mood for salsa.
Emily Hill
I’m no canning expert but I would think you could double it and can it. Maybe do a little research on canning homemade salsa just to be safe?
Wren
I don’t have a food processor. I only have VitaMix. Would that be okay to use?
Emily Hill
That should totally work!
Haley
Can u use a ninja blender
Emily Hill
I say give it a shot! I bet it would work!
Haley
How long and what setting on the ninja blender should I blend or pulse or crush ?
Emily Hill
I don’t own a Ninja blender so I can’t answer that. I would see if there’s another salsa recipe out there that uses the Ninja and compare. Hope that helps!
Sean Garcia
This is great salsa !! I made this and really enjoyed it..definitely will be making again. Thanks for sharing 😊😊
Emily Hill
Yay! So glad you liked it!
Steve M.
I make this in double batches, which makes 2 quarts. .I’ve been using Aldi’s fire roasted tomatoes and their version of RoTel. One change I have made is a punch up the heat by using Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead of jalapeno. In a double batch I use one full can of only the peppers. And then only add the sauce in as I need more heat. A double batch I used to use 1 medium sized onion instead of measuring it all out. Into the Vitamix it goes and pulse it until it is the consistency that I like. This is a winner every time!
Emily Hill
Oh my goodness! The tweak of using Chipotle peppers sounds amazing!
Sheri W.
I always can my made from scratch salsa. I doubled the recipe, but I used San Mariano tomatoes, fresh jalapeños, and fresh cilantro, plus some fresh lime juice and fresh grated garlic and it came out amazing. I had enough salsa for 3 quart jars of salsa. I want to make 5 more double batches to can so our family has enough salsa for the winter. I live in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, I’m Pennsylvania Dutch and we can everything and I’ve been looking for a good salsa recipe and I found it. Thank you for the recipe.
Emily Hill
Yay! That makes me so happy!
Allen
So I made a first batch of this a let it sit overnight in the fridge. It was good but it wasn’t Chilis as it was missing something.
I made a second batch and added 4 drops of Colgin Liquid Smoke Hickory. Initial taste from the food processor is very promising. Time will tell tomorrow after a night in the fridge.
Emily Hill
I love this idea! I’ll have to try that next time!
Jess
Hello! What size mason jar would this recipe fit in? Thanks!
Emily Hill
That’s a good question. I haven’t made it in a little while and I’ve never put it in a mason jar. It makes at least 28 oz of liquid if that helps!
Mary McCormick
I made this recipe and it is amazing! Everyone I’ve shared it with has loved it also. This is a winner…how long will this keep in the fridge.
Naomi
I use this recipe as a base for my reduced sodium version and it turns out great! We think most salsa is too salty. My whole family (including picky children) love my modified version of this! Here’s what I change. I cut out the salt and use “No Salt added” tomatoes. The Rotel adds plenty of salt. I don’t really measure the garlic, lime, or onion. I use 1 large glove of garlic, 1 lime, and instead of the white onion I use 1-2 bunches of green onion. I don’t add the jalapeños because we don’t like our salsa too spicy, but the Rotel adds just enough heat to make it mild. It’s delicious this way and you don’t get sodium overload.
Kimberlynne
I can’t wait to try this! I have a question though. From what I can find online, Rotel only comes in either a 10oz can or a 28oz can. I’m not finding a 14.5oz can like the recipe states. Should I just be using the 10oz can?
Annemary
Do you think I could freeze this?
Haylee Sparks
This salsa is my first attempt at homemade salsa! Not only was it super easy, but it’s absolutely delicious!
I saw someone ask about the 10oz can of rotel and that’s what I used. I doubled the garlic bc I love garlic, I didn’t measure my lime juice but I squeezed half a lime, I also used a lil more salt. Other than that I followed the recipe and instructions exact. It was a crowd pleaser. We about finished it off tonight with dinner!
Bryan Summers
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I REALLY love Chili’s salsa and this is SO good it just blows the store bought salsa away! I know that’s not a fair comparison because of all the preservatives they have to put in theirs. Homemade salsa is the way! I found the cumin a bit overpowering the first time so I halved that, and maybe went a little lighter on the cilantro. I am so pleased with the way it worked the second try. Thanks again!