Fire roasted cherry tomato salsa is a vibrant and smoky twist on the classic salsa. The charred cherry tomatoes bring a depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice. This salsa is perfect for topping tacos, dipping with chips, or adding a burst of flavor to any dish.
If you don't usually have jalapeño or cilantro in your kitchen, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Jalapeño adds a spicy kick, while cilantro brings a fresh, herbaceous note to the salsa. Both are essential for achieving the authentic flavor of this recipe.
Ingredients For Fire Roasted Cherry Tomato Salsa
Cherry tomatoes: Small, sweet tomatoes that will be charred on the grill to add a smoky flavor.
Onion: Adds a sharp, savory taste to balance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic depth to the salsa.
Jalapeño: Adds heat and a slight smokiness; can be adjusted to taste.
Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
Lime: The juice adds acidity and freshness, balancing the flavors.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the salsa.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the smoky flavor of your salsa, try using a cast iron skillet on the grill instead of a grill pan. The cast iron will retain heat better and provide a more even char to the cherry tomatoes. Additionally, for a deeper flavor, you can lightly char the onion and garlic on the grill as well before mixing them into the salsa.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar size and sweetness, making them a good alternative.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with regular tomatoes: Chop them into smaller pieces to mimic the size and texture of cherry tomatoes.
small chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor and can add a subtle sweetness.
small chopped onion - Substitute with red onion: Red onions provide a sharper taste and a bit of color contrast.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic to maintain the flavor.
minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a milder, more nuanced garlic flavor.
seeded and chopped jalapeño - Substitute with serrano pepper: Serrano peppers are slightly hotter but offer a similar flavor profile.
seeded and chopped jalapeño - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblanos are milder and add a smoky flavor.
chopped fresh cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley offers a fresh, slightly peppery taste without the strong cilantro flavor.
chopped fresh cilantro - Substitute with basil: Basil provides a sweet, aromatic flavor that can complement the other ingredients.
juiced lime - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and brightness.
juiced lime - Substitute with vinegar: A splash of white wine or apple cider vinegar can provide the necessary acidity.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more nuanced flavor compared to table salt.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Salsa
How to Store or Freeze Your Salsa
Allow the salsa to cool completely before storing. This helps maintain its vibrant flavors and prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container.
Transfer the fire roasted cherry tomato salsa to an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids or BPA-free plastic containers work best to preserve the freshness.
Label the container with the date of preparation. This ensures you keep track of its shelf life and consume it while it's at its peak.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The salsa will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days when kept chilled.
For longer storage, consider freezing the salsa. Portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion.
Label the freezer bags or containers with the date. This helps you monitor how long the salsa has been stored.
Freeze the salsa for up to 3 months. Beyond this period, the texture and flavor may start to degrade.
When ready to use, thaw the salsa in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent any risk of bacterial growth.
Once thawed, give the salsa a good stir to reincorporate any separated liquids. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Enjoy the fire roasted cherry tomato salsa with your favorite tortilla chips, as a topping for grilled meats, or mixed into soups and stews for an extra burst of flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Gently warm the salsa in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating without overcooking the cherry tomatoes.
- Place the salsa in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the salsa evenly in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature.
- For a quick reheat, use a double boiler method: place the salsa in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally until heated through.
- If you have a toaster oven, set it to a low temperature (around 250°F or 120°C), place the salsa in an oven-safe dish, and heat for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to fire roast the cherry tomatoes, giving them a smoky and charred flavor.
Grill pan: Holds the cherry tomatoes on the grill, preventing them from falling through the grates.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the grilled tomatoes with the other ingredients.
Knife: Essential for chopping the onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, as well as mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a safe and clean surface for chopping and mincing ingredients.
Tongs: Handy for turning and removing the cherry tomatoes from the grill.
Juicer: Helps extract juice from the lime efficiently.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the cherry tomatoes and cilantro accurately.
Mixing spoon: Used to mix all the ingredients together thoroughly.
Serving bowl: Ideal for presenting the finished salsa.
How to Save Time on Making This Salsa
Preheat the grill in advance: Start preheating the grill while you prepare the other ingredients to save time.
Use a grill pan: A grill pan keeps the cherry tomatoes from falling through the grates, making the process quicker and easier.
Chop ingredients ahead: Chop the onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro while the tomatoes are grilling.
Use a food processor: For a quicker mix, pulse the grilled tomatoes and other ingredients in a food processor.
Prepare in bulk: Double the recipe and store extra salsa in the fridge for future use.
Fire Roasted Cherry Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 lime juiced
- to taste Salt
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Place cherry tomatoes on a grill pan.
- Grill for 10-15 minutes until charred.
- In a bowl, combine grilled tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Season with salt to taste.
- Mix well and serve.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Salsa
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