• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Home-Cooked Roots

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Fall Recipes
  • 💛 Favorites
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Fall Recipes
    • 💛 Favorites
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Homemade Sauces and Dips

    5 Minute Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa (Chipotle Copycat)

    Published: Jul 21, 2021 · Modified: Mar 3, 2022 by Nicolette · This post may contain affiliate links. By browsing this website, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

    457 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa is a Chipotle Copycat recipe of their medium salsa. It uses canned tomatillos and chilies, meaning all the flavor without the hassle of cleaning and roasting fresh tomatillos and tomatoes. Realistic for busy weeknights and impromptu hosting! Have this salsa ready to pair with my other Chipotle copycat recipes: roasted chili-corn salsa, black Beans and cilantro lime rice!

    Salsa in white bowl with hand dipping chip in.

    Most of the flavor from salsas comes from roasting and charring the vegetables. Knowing this, I tested this recipe using fresh tomatillos, tomatoes and chilis and roasted, then broiled them for over 30 minutes.

    While this did yield a delicious salsa, I knew a salsa recipe that required so much prep work was not practical for my every day life and likely wasn’t practical for yours either. There is a reason store-bought salsas are so popular.

    With this in mind, I retested this recipe using canned tomatillos and canned tomatoes and chilies. To my pleasant surprise, not only was this 10 times faster to prepare, it tasted BETTER than my salsa made with fresh tomatillos and tomato.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS show
    1 Why This Recipe Works
    2 Ingredient Notes
    3 Step by Step Instructions
    4 Frequently Asked Questions
    5 Tips for Success
    6 What to Serve this Salsa With
    7 Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa (Chipotle Copyat)

    Why This Recipe Works

    • It’s fool proof! Canned tomatillos and tomatoes means no peeling, scrubbing, chopping or roasting. No need to worry about picking a good variety of tomatillos, either.
    • You won’t have to wait for the salsa to cool. By using room temperature ingredients, you can serve this salsa right away.
    • No oven required, meaning you won’t need to heat up your house to prepare a delicious at home salsa. Perfect for summer hosting!

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for salsa measured and labeled in individual bowls.
    • Whole Green Tomatillos – I used canned whole tomatillos that were thoroughly drained and rinsed. There are two popular brands to look for – El Mexicano (the brand I used) and La Costena. I have the best of luck finding these at very affordable prices at my local Mexican market, but they are also available in some larger chains and online.
    • Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chilies – I prefer to use a can of fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies as opposed to using regular diced tomatoes and a fresh jalapeño. Jalapeños vary so widely in terms of spice level and this canned variety is very consistent in spice.
    • Cilantro – Fresh cilantro makes this salsa taste so fresh! If you don’t like cilantro, simply omit.
    • Red Onion – Raw red onion finely diced also makes this salsa taste so fresh and gives it a nice bite! You can substitute with regular yellow onion in a pinch!
    • Lemon and Lime juice – A little goes a long way but these give the best zesty tang. Lemons and limes vary so widely in size, so I gave measurements of tablespoons to use. Adjust to your personal liking.
    • Fresh Jalapeño – As stated above, I prefer to skip the jalapeño because I find it makes the salsa too spicy. If you love spice, add ½ of a diced jalapeño or according to your spice preference.

    Step by Step Instructions

    1. Add the rinsed, whole green tomatillos, fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies, lemon juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, garlic cloves, and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until well combined.
    Salsa before and after pulsing in the food processor.
    1. Add in the diced red onion, diced cilantro and pulse a couple of times to combine with salsa.
    Diced Onion, cilantro and garlic added to food processor.
    1. Taste salsa and add additional salt to taste. I like to add about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, but adjust to your preference. You may find no additional salt is needed!
    Salsa after pulsing.
    1. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or on your homemade burrito bowl!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Chipotle’s Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa spicy?

    Chipotle’s tomatillo salsa is considered their medium spiced salsa. It is slightly spicy, but not overbearing. By making it at home, you can control the spice level even more!

    Can I freeze this salsa?

    Yes! To freeze, simply pour into a freezer safe jar or bag for up to 6 months. Then when ready to eat, place in the refrigerator until completely thawed.

    Can’t I just dice the red onion and cilantro in the food processor instead of dicing it separately?

    I find that by the time the food processor pulses the tomatillos enough, onion and cilantro is processed TOO much and turns it into a pulp. For a superior texture, I like to dice it separately and pulse it two or three times to combine it into the salsa.

    Salsa in white bowl on wood cutting board surrounded by chips and a lime wedge.

    Tips for Success

    • Make sure to thoroughly rinse the canned tomatillos. They are often preserved in a brine solution that is both salty and acidic. Rinsing them thoroughly removes those flavors and prevents the flavor of your salsa from being compromised.
    • Make sure not to overdo it with the lemon and lime juice. A little goes a very long way and it can easily overpower the salsa if too much is squeezed in.

    What to Serve this Salsa With

    • Beer Braised Jackfruit Enchiladas
    • Oven Fried Vegan Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)
    • Savory Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins
    • Easy Vegan Burrito Bowl
    Salsa in white bowl with hand dipping chip in.

    Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa (Chipotle Copyat)

    This Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa is a Chipotle Copycat recipe of their medium salsa. It uses canned tomatillos and chilies, meaning all the flavor without the hassle of cleaning and roasting fresh tomatillos and tomatoes.
    5 from 12 votes
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 20 servings
    Cost: $10.74 ($0.53 per serving)
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

    What You’ll Need

    • 14 Cup Food Processor
    • Chef's knife
    • Citrus juicer
    • Fine Mesh Sieve

    Ingredients

    • 2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatillos - thoroughly rinsed and drained
    • 1 (10 ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes with diced green chilies - Rotel is a good brand
    • ½ tablespoons lemon juice - freshly squeezed
    • 1 tablespoons lime juice - freshly squeezed
    • ¼ cup cilantro - finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ red onion - diced
    • 2 cloves garlic - minced
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt - to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 jalapeño - optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add the drained and rinsed tomatillos, fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies, lemon juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, minced garlic and pepper to a large cup food processor. Process until completely combined, about 10 seconds.
    • Add in the diced red onion, diced cilantro and pulse 2-3 times until just incorporated.
    • Taste and season with additional salt, if desired. I tend to add about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
    • Serve immediately.

    Storage:

    • Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or store in the freezer for up to 6 months. If frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator before serving.

    Recipe Notes

    • Disclaimer: This recipe is only inspired by Chipotle Mexican Grill’s salsa and is not the authentic restaurant version. 
    • Make sure to rinse the tomatillos thoroughly to remove the salty brine flavor. 
    • I recommend dicing the red onion and cilantro separately as opposed to processing in the food processor for optimal texture. 
    • More copycat Chipotle recipes to try:
      • Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice in Rice Cooker (or Instant Pot!)
      • Copycat Chipotle Black Beans
    Jump to Recipe
    👉 Send this recipe to your email inbox! 📨
    Enter your name and email and get this recipe sent straight to your inbox! Plus, you’ll get new recipes and resources from me every week.
    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    Nutrition

    Calories: 3kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

    Disclaimer: The Nutritional Information provided for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the facts listed is not and cannot be guaranteed.

    Course: Appetizer, Sauces and Dips
    Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
    Author: Nicolette Wax

    More Homemade Sauces, Dips and Dressings

    • How to Make Vegan Caramel Sauce
    • Sauce in a bowl on a spoon.
      5-Minute Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
    • Vegan BBQ Sauce brands.
      Top 15 Vegan BBQ Sauce Brands
    • Avocado Crema (vegan)
    457 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sue

      August 27, 2021 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      I think salsa is the perfect food, and i can’t wait to try this one!

      Reply
      • Nicolette

        August 28, 2021 at 9:33 am

        It’s one of my favorites. I hope you love it!

        Reply
    2. Mirlene

      August 27, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love making this salsa. It’s so easy, bold and delicious.

      Reply
      • Nicolette

        August 28, 2021 at 9:33 am

        So happy to hear this!

        Reply
    3. Sharon

      August 27, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      5 stars
      This tomatillo green chili salsa is a hit at our house! It’s so good on breakfast tacos or for dipping corn chips.

      Reply
      • Nicolette

        August 28, 2021 at 9:32 am

        I’m so glad! I love it on breakfast tacos also.

        Reply
    4. Beth

      August 27, 2021 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      This salsa became mine and my hubby’s absolutely favorite! We love how easy and simple this delicious recipe was. Definitely on our remake list!

      Reply
      • Nicolette

        August 28, 2021 at 9:32 am

        Yay! Thank you, Beth.

        Reply
    5. Serena

      August 27, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite salsas! I love how quick it is to make. Delish!

      Reply
      • Nicolette

        August 28, 2021 at 9:32 am

        I am so happy to hear that, Serena! Glad you love it.

        Reply

    Add a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nicolette in kitchen leaning on kitchen island.

    Hey, there! I'm Nicolette.

    I’m a law student turned grocery budgeting and meal planning expert.

    Here I'm sharing the recipes and savvy budgeting principles that helped me pay off 70k student loan debt in less than 27 months.

    More about me →

    Newest Posts

    • Collage of 4 vegan potato recipes with text that reads, 50+ best Vegan potato recipes.
      50+ Vegan Potato Recipes
    • Collage of 4 recipes to serve with white rice with text that reads, 40+ Meals to Serve with White Rice.
      What to Serve with White Rice (40+ Ideas!)
    • Vegan garlic bread close up pieces.
      Vegan Garlic Bread
    • Marshmallows on parchment paper surrounded by ornaments.
      Homemade Vegan Marshmallows
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Collage of 4 recipes to serve with potstickers.
      What to Serve with Potstickers (37 sides, mains, soups, and more!)

    Budget-Friendly Soups

    • Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup (meatless)
    • Vegan Leek and Potato Soup
    • Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup with Roasted Red Peppers
    • Large pot of pumpkin soup with ladle.
      Cauliflower and Pumpkin Soup Recipe (Easy!) 
    • Chowder in white bowls.
      The Best Vegan Corn Chowder
    • Pot of mushroom soup with ladle of soup in gray ladle.
      Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup (Gluten, Oil Free)

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • Bowl of refried black beans.
      Easy Refried Black Beans from Scratch (Instant Pot!)
    • Bowl of vegan beef stew with wine and crusty bread.
      Vegan Beef Stew
    • Collage of 4 Instant Pot recipes that use lentils with text graphic that says 30+ Instant Pot Lentil Recipes.
      30+ Vegan Instant Pot Lentil Recipes
    • Lentil tacos garnished with cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
      Instant Pot Lentil Tacos
    • Bowl of red beans and rice topped with rice and green onion.
      Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (Vegetarian)
    • Bowl of green lentils with spoon.
      How to Cook Lentils in Rice Cooker

    Quick and Easy Appetizers

    • Collage of 4 BBQ recipes for vegans.
      43 Vegan BBQ Recipes
    • Frozen Air Fryer Onion Rings
    • Bowl of crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts with a spoon.
      Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
    • Sweet potato wedges garnished with herbs.
      Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
    • Collage of 4 Silken Tofu recipes with text that says "39 Ways to Use Silken Tofu."
      39 Silken Tofu Recipes
    • Collage of vegetarian pigs in a blanket, vegan cheese ball, vegan spinach artichoke dip and stuffed mushrooms to showcase 31+ Vegan appetizers recipes.
      47+ Vegan Appetizers for the Holidays

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Read Our Terms

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Keep In Touch

    • Subscribe
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Pinterest

    About

    • Contact me
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate and ShopStyle Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Home-Cooked Roots, LLC

    ”Copyright© 2023 · homecookedroots.com ·