Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa

Name: Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 8 tomatillos (paper removed); 3 cloves garlic (peeled (or more to taste)); 1 jalapeno (chopped, seeds and ribs removed (leave the ribs and seeds on if you want more heat)); 1/2 tsp Kosher salt (or to taste); 1/2 cup cilantro

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This Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa is a salsa verde like no other. Perfectly balanced ingredients give a punch of flavor to a simple tortilla chip. It is also a perfect condiment for many Mexican dishes and is so simple. I want to thank Shelley, our dear friend, for this amazing recipe.

Want more Mexican-inspired recipes? Then try our Pico de Gallo, Easy Guacamole Recipe, or our Mexican Casserole.

Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa on a board with tortilla chips and other ingredients surrounding it.

What is Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa?

Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa is a mildly spicy Mexican condiment that goes great with tortilla chips, enchiladas, tacos, and more. This salsa, in particular, uses tomatillos exclusively.

Helpful Items for This Recipe

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Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper for Slicing, Shredding, Mincing, and Puree – 10 Cups

Ceramics Spanish Terracotta 5-Piece Small Salsa Bowl Set

Chip and Dip Serving Set, 2 Tier Chip and Dip Bowls with Stand

Horizontal shot of salsa verde on a board with tortillas chips and surrounded by the other ingredients..

What is in Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa?

Only 5 ingredients, including salt, are needed for this simple green salsa or salsa verde. It is great to have on hand for everyday use, for a quick snack or as a wonderful condiment for Mexican meals.

Ingredients

Tomatillos – Remove the paper from the tomatillos. These look like a small green tomato but are not a tomato at all but from the same nightshade family. Substituting tomatoes is not recommended, as you will get a different salsa. Tomatillos are available now in a lot of grocery stores.

What do Tomatillos Taste Like? – They have a sweet taste to them, like between a green apple and an unripe cucumber. You can eat them raw or cooked. The yellow ones are slightly sweeter.

Garlic cloves peeled – Fresh garlic is the best!! You can, in a pinch, substitute granulated garlic or garlic powder, but I really recommend using fresh.

Jalapeno chopped, seeds and ribs removed – Leave the ribs and seeds on if you want more heat but removing them will give you a very mild salsa.

Kosher salt (or to taste) – I like to use Kosher salt, but a nice sea salt would also work.

Cilantro – This is as important in this salsa as the tomatillos, but if you don’t like cilantro, then parsley would work, but it will taste completely different.

How to Make Salsa Verde at Home

Remove the paper from the tomatillos. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the tomatillos to the pot. Allow the water to return to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes.

Drain the water off and place the tomatillos into a blender; be careful, they are very hot and may burn you.

Add the garlic cloves, chopped jalapeno, salt, and cilantro to the blender.

Overhead shot of salsa verde in a food processor.

Blend on high until desired consistency. (I like it just smooth with very few chunks.)

Taste for seasoning and add more salt, garlic, or cilantro if you like.

Three tortillas chips in green salsa, front view.

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or on your tacos, enchiladas, and more!

Enjoy!!

Overhead shot of Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa in a clear bowl with a spoon.

Recipe Pro Tips!

Overhead shot of Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa in a bowl with tortilla chips and tomatillos on the side.

Helpful Tips

Add more garlic or an additional jalapeno if you like.

You can add a ripe, peeled avocado to create a thicker dip.

You can purchase tomatillos in a tin. If you do, make sure to rinse them well before blending and add some additional cilantro to bump up the flavor.

You can also add a squirt of lime juice for more tang if you like.

For a slight change up and char, roast your tomatillos and garlic at 425F for 15 -20 minutes. Wrap the garlic in tinfoil to avoid it from burning. It may take a bit longer than the tomatillos to roast to a nice softness.

Square photo of salsa verde shot from overhead.

Want More Dips with a Mexican Flare?

What gets the party started more than a dip to munch on? We love serving dips as they are easy to make and great to make ahead!

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Pin it HERE!!

Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa

Tara Noland

This Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa is a simple appetizer or condiment for Mexican dishes like tacos or enchiladas. It is great to have on hand for dipping tortillas in for a nice snack, too.

5 from 8 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 7

Total Time 17

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Servings servings

Calories 29 kcal

Ingredients

8 tomatillos paper removed
3 cloves garlic peeled (or more to taste)
1 jalapeno chopped, seeds and ribs removed (leave the ribs and seeds on if you want more heat)
1/2 tsp Kosher salt or to taste
1/2 cup cilantro

Instructions

Remove the paper from the tomatillos. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the tomatillos to the pot. Allow the water to return to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes.
Drain the water off and place the tomatillos into a blender; careful, they are very hot and may burn you.
Add the garlic cloves, chopped jalapeno, salt and cilantro to the blender
Blend on high until desired consistency. (I like it just smooth with very few chunks)
Taste for seasoning and add more salt, garlic or cilantro if you like.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or on your tacos!
Enjoy!!