If you’ve been to Chili’s before, you probably know just how amazing their chips and salsa are. We are obsessed so we decided to come up with our own copycat Chili’s Salsa recipe. We are so glad we did because it takes JUST like the real deal!!
Not only is this salsa recipe so delicious, but it only uses 4 main ingredients (plus seasonings), and it literally blends up in THREE minutes! Tons of flavor for the easiest and yummiest appetizer.
If you love Chili’s too, check out our Chili’s Skillet Queso and Chili’s Enchilada Soup!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- For more than chips. Spoon it over tacos or use it to make Salsa Chicken. Use it for all of your Mexican food needs!
- Just THREE minutes! It literally blends and is ready to eat in no time at all making it perfect for a last-minute easy appetizer.
- 4 main ingredients. Just add spices! This uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand.
Chili’s Salsa Recipe Ingredients
- Tomatoes and green chilies (14.5-ounce can): This brings tangy tomato base with a gentle kick. We use ROTEL brand in mild, but you can choose “original” for a hotter salsa.
- Whole tomatoes, plus the juice (14.5-ounce can): Adds body and balanced tomato flavor that blends smooth.
- Diced canned jalapenos, NOT pickled (4 teaspoons): Provides controlled heat without vinegar sharpness. For a hotter salsa add extra jalapenos.
- Onion powder (½ teaspoon): Adds all over onion flavor without chunks.
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes (½ teaspoon): Seasons quickly with salt and mild garlic notes.
- Minced garlic (½ teaspoon): Boosts savory aroma and depth. See How to Mince Garlic for tips.
- Cumin (½ teaspoon): Lends warm, earthy backdrop that tastes restaurant style.
- Sugar (1 teaspoon): Rounds the acidity so the salsa tastes smooth.
- Roma tomatoes chopped (2 whole): Freshens the blend with bright, slightly sweet tomato bites.
How to Make Chili’s Salsa
BLEND. Pour the whole can of tomatoes and green chilies, the entire can of whole tomatoes, canned diced jalapeños, onion powder, garlic salt (with parsley flakes), minced garlic, cumin, sugar, and chopped Roma tomatoes into a blender or food processor.
Blend until the desired consistency is reached. Keep it chunky or blend further for a smooth texture, but do not overblend.
ENJOY. Serve this copycat Chili’s salsa recipe with store-bought or Homemade Tortilla Chips.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Do not run the blender on high for too long. Over-blending can make it foamy.
- You can serve right away, but chilling for 30 minutes enhances the flavors even more.
- Serve with Homemade Tortilla Chips for that restaurant feel.
- We like ROTEL brand tomatoes with green chilies in mild, but you can choose “original” for a hotter salsa. You can also add extra jalapenos to increase the heat.
Copycat Chili’s Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can whole tomatoes, plus the juice
- 4 teaspoons jalapenos, canned, diced, not pickled
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 whole roma tomatoes
Instructions
- Pour the can of tomatoes and green chilies, a can of whole tomatoes (with the juice), the canned jalapenos, onion powder, garlic salt, minced garlic, cumin, sugar, and chopped Roma tomatoes in a blender or food processor and blend until all combined.
Notes
- Do not run the blender on high for too long; overblending can make it foamy.
- You can serve right away, but chilling for 30 minutes lets the flavors meld.
- Serve with Homemade Tortilla Chips for that restaurant feel.
- We like ROTEL brand tomatoes with green chilies in mild, but you can choose “original” for a hotter salsa. You can also add extra jalapenos to increase the heat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
This salsa can be bottled for longer storage. We have a post on How to Can Salsa that you can follow.
The flavor of salsa is always best for the first couple of days, but it will keep in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Store in an airtight container or mason jar.
We love to gift this easy salsa to neighbors and friends. If you use a mason jar, be sure they know that it needs to be refrigerated and cannot be placed on a shelf.
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This post was originally published December 2013.
This is very similar to all of the other copycat recipes and makes a good salsa. Like all of the other copycat recipes, this does not come anywhere close to the taste of chili’s salsa. I wish someone would be able to post what’s really in the chili’s salsa instead of copying someone else’s copycat.
Thanks for the review and feedback.
In the picture there’s cilantro shown but it’s not mentioned in the ingredient list
You can add cilantro if you like the flavor of it, but the recipe doesn’t specifically call for it.
Fantastic recipe!! Easy to make .. will continue to make this . Thanks for putting this out there.
Thanks
Can this recipe be canned? I have so many tomatoes and was wanting to try to put some up for the winter??
No, the flavor is best within the first few days, but it will last for a couple of weeks stored in the refrigerator. This recipe is not meant to be canned on the shelf.
Tasts nothing like Chili’s salsa.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try.
This is really good!! Thanks so much! Quickly became a favorite for my family!
I have to disagree, this is WAY better than Chili’s!! I love this so much!
Super amazing chili salsa recipe! Thanks a bunch for sharing amazing recipes! Highly recommended!
Best recipe! Is this recipe good to be canned?
So glad you enjoy the salsa! No, the flavor is best within the first few days, but it will last for a couple of weeks stored in the refrigerator. This recipe is not meant to be canned on the shelf.
love their salsa so I will have to try your recipe.
Yes! Chili’s salsa is so tasty, which is why we wanted to make a copycat recipe. You’ll have to give it a try!
Recipe has nutrition facts, which is great. It doesn’t say the serving size. How much salsa is 102 calories?
The nutrition facts are for about 1 cup of salsa.
I prefer a more smooth salsa and so I really love this recipe as do my kids! My husband likes his hotter so I make a mild version. Divide it in half and add some extra jalapeño seeds to his half.
This is one of my family’s favorites every time! It’s fool proof.
I prefer Homemade Salsa over store bought any day! I think this recipe taste way better that the chilis salsa recipe! They should be copycating you…lol!
Haha! That is so sweet of you to say! I agree… homemade salsa any day!
Chili’s has the best salsa!! Sometimes, all I crave is their chips & salsa! Super easy to make!
Yes, their salsa is so yummy! Glad to hear you enjoyed making this recipe too.
this chili salsa is very tasty and easy! Thanks a lot for sharing this!
You’re welcome! Glad to hear you enjoyed the salsa!
Every single time we go to Chilis, we have to get their chips & salsa. This tastes exactly like it!! I am so excited to be able to make it at home & eat it whenever that craving hits!
Taste like the real stuff. My favorite chips and salsa!
Not much flavor. Very bland.
I’m sorry it wasn’t quite to your liking. You could try and see if adding a bit more jalapeno would give it a little more “kick” for you.
You bet, I’ll ne making this salsa
Thanks for shareing
Thanks for stopping by and trying it! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Are you sure about a tsp of sugar? I don’t taste any sweetness in their salsa at all. I will try it like this. But lm very leary. I’m surprised..no onion?
Yes & you can totally add onion. I personally don’t like onions, but like to add onion powder to recipes.
This was so accurate to the chilis salsa!! My family downs it every time we go, and we were craving it tonight so i decided to make it!! It was fairly Difficult to find the dIced jalapeños at county maRket, but they were in the mexican food lane. So good guys! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing that! I crave it all the time! Glad you liked it!
Can i double this, cook and can some? Do i need to adjust the recipe if so?
For sure! Just double the ingredients & follow recipe. I am not sure how long it would last on a shelf, though. I usually make & keep in the fridge.
This is a great salsa to gift as well because everyone loves it
love Chilis salsa and will make this all the time
Me too!! Hope you like this recipe 🙂
Hi Kristyn (lil luna), This looks delicious and can not wait to try it. I do have a question though. Do you know about how much this makes? Thanks for any help you can give me. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Oh! I have to try this! Their chips and salsa is my favorite!!
I want to try this recipe! I have a question, are the jalapenos in a cann, the same as green chilies like the Hatch brand? I am a bit confused sorry. 🙂
Mmm I LOVE salsa! This looks amazing!
This looks amazing! I used to crave Chili’s salsa when I was pregnant with Ella. I made my husband go over and buy it by the pint. I can’t wait to make this!!
xoxo
I crave it all the time… prego or not prego!! You will love this recipe. It’s delish AND easy. 🙂
Yum yum yum! Can’t wait to try it.
You will LOVE it! It helps that it only takes 2 minutes to make too. 🙂
We love Chili’s salsa and always get it when we go there. This will be a must-try for hubby man!
You will love this, Wendy! Thx for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
I love love love their salsa! What a great copycat!
Thanks, girl! XO
Looks yummy! I love their salsa so I will have to try your recipe. I am pinning this so I can make it for New Year’s Eve.
You will love how easy and delicious this recipe is, Jen!! Have a Merry Christmas!
homemada salsa is the best! looks wonderful & like I need a big bowl!