Description
Chili de Arbol Salsa is a vibrant and spicy Mexican salsa made with dried arbol chilies, garlic, and tomatoes. It’s a simple yet flavorful addition to any dish, perfect for tacos, grilled meats, or even as a dip for tortilla chips. This homemade salsa adds a smoky heat and depth of flavor to your meals, making it a must-have in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 dried arbol chilies
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup onion
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/2 cup water (more if needed)
Instructions
- Toast the chilies: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the dried arbol chilies for about 1-2 minutes, flipping them to avoid burning, until they become aromatic.
- Prepare the ingredients: Remove the stems and seeds from the chilies. Roughly chop the tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Cook the tomatoes and aromatics: In a pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, cooking until the onion softens. Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly charred.
- Blend the salsa: In a blender, combine the toasted chilies, cooked tomatoes, garlic, onion, salt, sugar (if using), and 1/2 cup of water. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust the salt and sugar, adding more if needed for balance.
- Serve: Pour the salsa into a bowl and serve immediately, or store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- For a milder salsa, you can reduce the number of arbol chilies or remove some seeds before toasting.
- If you prefer a smokier flavor, try adding a small piece of dried chipotle pepper to the blend.
- This salsa can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salsa, Condiment
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0mg