There is nothing like a hot bowl of salsa verde to spice up your meal.
However, the problem with this delicious sauce is that it’s hard to find the right kind of salsa verde for you and there are so many options.
I’ve done some research and found 5 great salsa verde substitutes for you, including a homemade recipe, in case you want to make it at home.
They’re all sure to please your palate and give your dish just the right kick.
5 Best Salsa Verde Substitutes
The best substitutes for salsa verde are Mexican sour cream dip and red salsa. You can also use Chipotle hot sauce, green enchilada sauce, and homemade salsa verde sauce as salsa verde substitute in most recipes.
It’s best to prepare salsa verde fresh at home and not from a jar (recipe shared below), but if you’re in a hurry then here are some great salsa verde substitute for your convenience:
1. Mexican Sour Cream Dip
If you love sour cream with your tacos then this dip is perfect for you as a salsa verde substitute. You can also use it to spread on your burritos or even eat it with chips!
Mexican sour cream dip is made with sour cream, mayonnaise, tomatoes, jalapeños, and other ingredients that give it a tangy but spicy taste.
This dip is thicker than sour cream, and since it’s a spicy red sauce, it is really good on tacos or burritos.
It’s a wonderful substitute for salsa verde because it has the same fresh flavor without the hassle of chopping up the ingredients to make this sauce yourself.
It comes in an easy-to-use squeeze bottle so you don’t even have to chop anything.
2. Red Salsa
Red salsa is a Mexican salsa made with tomatoes and jalapenos. It’s a spicy sauce that’s perfect for chips but you can also use it to make burritos or other Mexican dishes.
You can use the red salsa to top your tacos, as a dip for quesadillas, or even in Mexican-style spaghetti. It’s easily available in any supermarket near the taco section so it’s convenient and a great substitute for salsa verde.
3. Chipotle Hot Sauce
One of the best substitutes for salsa verde is Chipotle hot sauce.
Chipotle hot sauce is a jalapeño-based sauce that’s made with onion and garlic. It has the perfect amount of spice so it’s not too overpowering or too mild.
Use the chipotle hot sauce as you would use salsa verde: mix it with mayonnaise to make an excellent taco spread, whip up some dressing for salads, or use it as a dip for your quesadillas.
4. Green Enchilada Sauce
Enchiladas are great because they can be eaten with your hands and you don’t need a plate to enjoy them.
If you aren’t fond of salsa verde but still want that Mexican kick, then try green enchilada sauce. Green enchilada sauce comes from a specific Mexican dish called, you guessed it, green enchiladas.
It sounds similar to salsa verde but is usually made with tomatillos, bell peppers, and spices like garlic or onions.
The green enchilada sauce gives an authentic Mexican flavor to any dish that it is added. You can use it as a dip or put it over burritos, Mexican pasta, and even quesadillas.
5. Homemade Salsa Verde Sauce
The last substitute on our list of salsa verde alternative has the best taste because you get to make it yourself. Who says you have to buy your salsa verde from the store?
All you need is some jalapeños, tomatillos, cilantro, garlic, onion, and salt. These ingredients give it a wonderful flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.
Tomatillos are relatives of tomatoes and look like green cherry tomatoes. They have a mild tangy flavor, but they’re not very popular in the US. You can usually find them canned with Mexican food or fresh at Latin markets.
Read on to find out how you can make tomatillo sauce at home in 3 easy steps:
1. Broil tomatillos, garlic, and pepper for a few minutes. It will soften tomatillos so they blend better, tame their bite, and adds a unique yet delicious char-roasted flavor.
2. Rinse onions. Rinse the onion under cold water to tame the bite of raw onions.
3. Blend together. When everything’s ready, let the blender take over from here. Add all the broiled veggies, rinsed onions, salt, and some water to maintain the consistency of the sauce.
This homemade salsa verde can be served immediately. But if you want that flavor to meld, keep it in the refrigerator overnight.
What is Salsa Verde?
Salsa verde is a green sauce made from tomatillos, jalapeños, and other ingredients like cilantro or onions.
It’s usually served with tacos, but you can use it as well with any Mexican dish that needs a little bit of spice. Salsa verde is so versatile that it won’t be hard to find a way to put it to good use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does salsa verde taste like?
Salsa verde has many different flavors from tomatoes, onions, and herbs giving it a fresh taste. It also has a little tangy kick to it. The exact flavor profile is tart and slightly spicy.
What is the difference between salsa and salsa verde?
Salsa refers to any sauce that’s made from tomatoes, peppers, or both. Salsa verde is a type of salsa that’s made with tomatillos or green tomatoes.
Salsa has various degrees of spiciness and thickness depending on what ingredients are added. On the other hand, salsa verde has a unique, tart flavor and is slightly spicy, unlike other salsas.
Can you prepare salsa verde without tomatillos?
Yes, you can prepare salsa verde without tomatillos but it will not have that authentic Mexican flavor. It will be a basic tomato-based salsa instead of the Mexican variety.
Now that you know some salsa verde substitutes, what are you waiting for? Try them out in your next Mexican recipe.
