Description
A vibrant, zesty, and spicy salsa made with just five ingredients. This easy recipe balances the intense heat of habaneros with fresh lime juice, making it perfect for grilling or dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 medium habanero peppers
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed and chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 3–4 limes)
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Wear disposable gloves and remove stems from habaneros. Slice in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds and membranes to control heat level.
- Finely dice the yellow onion and chop the cilantro leaves and tender stems.
- Finely chop the habanero peppers. For smoother salsa, pulse in a food processor; for chunkier texture, chop by hand.
- Roll limes on the counter, cut in half, and squeeze to extract about 1/2 cup of fresh juice.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the diced onion, chopped cilantro, minced habaneros, and lime juice.
- Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and toss gently. Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and onion to mellow.
- Stir before serving. Serve with grilled meats, fish tacos, or tortilla chips.
Notes
Wear gloves when handling habaneros to avoid skin irritation. For milder salsa, remove all seeds and membranes. For hotter salsa, leave them in. Letting the salsa rest in the fridge for 30 minutes significantly improves the flavor by mellowing the raw onion bite. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0.5
Keywords: spicy salsa, habanero salsa, lime salsa, easy salsa, gluten-free, vegan, summer recipes, grilling sides