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Home » recipes » Appetizers

South of the Border Salsa

Updated: Dec 2, 2025 · Published: Jul 8, 2024 by Kitchen Ready Betty · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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This easy to make, savory and delicious South of the Border Salsa features fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic, lime, creamy avocado, and more. Similar to Pico de Gallo, this fresh and chunky, flavorful dip will quickly become a family and party favorite. Bring on the chips!

south of the border salsa

Once you try this fresh salsa recipe, you will never buy the jarred stuff again.

That's because this chunky homemade salsa is bursting with garden fresh flavor and is so incredibly delicious. With avocados, tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, garlic and more, it has an incredibly fresh flavor that just can't be beat.

This is a dip you can feel good about. Because it's packed full of fresh ingredients and zero manufactured preservatives, it's much better for you, and is low in calories and vitamin rich.

on tray

This delicious, juicy salsa pairs so well with tacos and many other of our Mexican meal favs, including Baked Chicken Taquitos, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas and Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup!

And no party is complete without the chips and fresh salsa! The added avocado in this salsa recipe always gets raves. Serve with chips and Easy Cheesy Guacamole, and let the fiesta begin!

Jump to:
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 🥣Substitutions
  • 📖Variations
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🍶Storage
  • 💭Top Tip
  • 🗨️FAQ
  • 🥄Related
  • 🍴Pairing
  • 📋Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🥘Ingredients

ingredients
  • fresh tomatoes- Roma or Campari preferred
  • avocado- choose a firm one that's slightly soft to the touch for best results
  • jalapeño pepper- removing the membranes and seeds makes it much less spicy
  • red onion- to bring out the flavor
  • fresh cilantro- this is a very fragrant herb, so only a little is needed
  • fresh lime juice- used as a preservative
  • fresh garlic- fresh is more aromatic
  • dried oregano- added seasoning for extra flavor
  • dash of salt- to taste

🔪Instructions

chopped
  1. Step 1: Chop the fresh ingredients; add to mixing bowl and combine.
south of the border salsa
  1. Step 2: Drizzle on the lime juice and add salt to taste; stir.

Hint: South of the Border Salsa tastes best when it sits in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives a chance for the flavors to come together.

🥣Substitutions

For a sweeter taste, use a Vidalia onion instead of a red onion.

📖Variations

Feeling spicy? Add a habanero pepper to the salsa. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper.

For an extra chunky salsa, add corn and black beans.

🍽Equipment

  • vegetable chopper, food processor, or chef’s knife
  • cutting board
  • chef’s knife
  • medium mixing bowl
  • spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • plastic wrap
  • garlic mincer
  • avocado kitchen tool (optional)
  • citrus juicer (optional)

🍶Storage

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within 3 days.

💭Top Tip

You don't need a lot of salt to bring out the flavors in this salsa. Start with just a dash. You can always add a little more later to suit your taste.

🗨️FAQ

Do I need to peel tomatoes for salsa?

No. Keep the skins on for added flavor and texture.

Should I drain tomatoes for salsa?

This is optional, but one that's helpful to control the liquid (and longevity) of your salsa. After dicing the tomatoes, place them in a colander and generously sprinkle with salt. Allow them to drain for about 20 minutes before adding them to the salsa.

How do I thicken my homemade salsa?

Add more ingredients to create a chunkier salsa, along with some tomato paste. Start with 1 T. and add extra to suit your taste and preference.

🥄Related

Looking for other entertaining recipes? Try these:

  • Golden brown baked jalapeño popper dip topped with fresh jalapeño slices, served in a ceramic baking dish with pita chips on the side.
    Best Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe
  • Healthy guacamole recipe in a white bowl with lime garnish.
    Chunky Guacamole Recipe
  • tzatziki sauce in bowl
    Easy Tzatziki Sauce
  • in serving bowl
    Chili Lime Cashews

🍴Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with South of the Border Salsa:

  • chicken fajita quesadillas
    Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
  • easy cheesy guacamole
    Easy Cheesy Guacamole
  • cheesy chicken enchiladas
    Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
  • chicken bacon ranch quesadillas on plate
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas

📋Recipe

south of the border salsa

South of the Border Salsa

Kitchen Ready Betty
With fresh ingredients, this salsa is easy to make and is so much better for you! The only preservatives used are salt and lime juice, giving it a pure, natural taste.
The avocado and fresh garlic add a hearty creaminess to what was already a flavorful, robust base. Enjoy this as a dip with chips, or on top of your favorite Mexican dish!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Rest Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Appetizers, Snacks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16
Calories 24 kcal

Equipment

  • vegetable chopper, food processor, or chef’s knife
  • cutting board
  • medium mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • garlic mincer
  • avocado kitchen tool  (optional)
  • citrus juicer  (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 & ½ cups chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted and chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper, minced
  • ½ cup chopped, red onion
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice used as a preservative
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • dash of salt to taste
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Dice the tomatoes, avocado, pepper and onion using a chopper, processor or chef's knife. Add these ingredients to your mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • Next, add the chopped cilantro and minced garlic; stir.
  • Drizzle on the lime juice, add a dash of salt and stir.
  • South of the Border Salsa tastes best when it sits in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives a chance for the flavors to blend together!
  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within 3 days.

Notes

This recipe makes about 5 cups.
I always use vine ripe (Roma or Campari) tomatoes for this recipe. Avoid using overly ripe tomatoes--they'll be too watery and more acidic.
When picking out an avocado, choose one that's slightly soft. If it's too squishy, that means it's too ripe and will not hold up well in this recipe.
Please use freshly squeezed lime juice for this. It tastes so much better!

Nutrition

Calories: 24kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword appetizer, avocados, dip, entertaining, fresh salsa, fresh tomatoes, garlic, Mexican, salsa
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Sam D. says

    June 10, 2025 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    I never had avocado in my salsa before...this was delicious, but any advice on not having it brown so fast?

    Reply
    • Kitchen Ready Betty says

      June 10, 2025 at 1:56 pm

      To prevent the avocado from quickly browning, place plastic wrap directly on top of the salsa in the container. Then place another layer of plastic wrap just under the lid before sealing. This double layer method helps to keep air out that causes an enzyme in the avocado to react when it’s exposed to oxygen.

      Reply

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I'm on a mission to help you serve simple, fun, and healthy-ish meals that pass the ultimate test: the picky eaters in your house. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a special holiday treat, my recipes are all about big flavor with minimal fuss.

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