Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa – Copycat Chipotle Hot Salsa

I know you can buy salsa from the store, but where’s the fun in that! For the freshest flavour, make your own tomatillo red chili salsa and enjoy as a snack or appetizer with crackers, chips or anything else you want to dip. This copycat Chipotle hot salsa sauce is also great with steak, chicken or alongside any south of the border inspired meal. Make lots, because this red tomatillo salsa will disappear fast!

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

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This copycat Chipotle hot salsa sauce is fresh, tasty and has quite a kick to it. Tomatillos rather than tomatoes are used in this Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe while the heat comes from different kinds of chillies and Tabasco sauce.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa Ingredients

Tomatillos are the star of this red tomatillo salsa. For a spicy kick you will need a jalapeno, red chillies, ancho chilli powder, chipotle peppers in adobo, Tabasco sauce, and black pepper.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

The other ingredients are garlic, vinegar, lime juice, canned tomatoes, cumin, salt, and cilantro. For the best results use fresh ingredients where possible, such as fresh lime juice and chillies.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

Feel free to adjust the chilli ratio if you want to reduce the spiciness or increase it. You can also change the kind of chillies you’re using. Using more than one kind of chilli gives depth of flavour to the tomatillo red chili salsa. You can swap the Tabasco sauce for Sriracha or Cholula if you have that, or any other hot sauce you like.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

How to Make Copycat Chipotle Hot Salsa Sauce

It doesn’t take long to prepare this Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe. So if you’re looking for a spicy salsa to pair with a snack or appetizer, this homemade version takes mere minutes to put together.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

Cut the tomatillos in half and chop the chillies, discarding the seeds. Add a splash of oil to a hot skillet then add the tomatoes and jalapeno. Grind in some salt and pepper and cook for about 8 minutes or until golden.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa or copycat  Chilpotle hot salsa which is a great snack or appetizer.

Next add the juice of a lime to the skillet with the roasted tomatillos as well as the garlic, canned tomatoes and chillies, and chipotle chillies. Cook for a few more minutes.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

Pulse the mixture in a food processor or blender until the red tomatillo salsa reaches your preferred consistency. You can go for anything from super-smooth to rustic and chunky, depending what kind of snack of appetizer you’re serving the spicy salsa with.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.
Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

A Closer Look at Tomatillos

So, what exactly are tomatillos anyway and why are they so good in a Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe? Well, whether you’re planning to top a taco or add some spice to your breakfast eggs, this tomatillo red chili salsa is a perfect addition.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

Tomatillos, the main ingredient in this copycat Chipotle hot salsa sauce, are a type of fruit (like tomatoes). They aren’t, however, a type of tomato. Tomatillos are native to Mexico but are now popular with farmers in the US because they’re disease-resistant.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

Also known as Mexican husk tomatoes, this fruit isn’t as sweet-tasting as a tomato and it has a bit of a bright, acidic taste too. The sticky exterior of the fruit is covered with a papery husk that is called a lantern.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.
Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

As well as being delicious in this Chipotle hot salsa recipe, you can puree tomatillos for use in sauces or vinaigrettes. You can even slice them and layer them with ricotta on toast , perhaps drizzled with some Italian olive oil.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

Red Tomatillo Salsa FAQs

Can you make this spicy salsa ahead?

You can make it up to 5 days ahead. If you have leftovers after that, the spicy salsa will freeze for several months.

What are some more serving ideas for this Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe?

This versatile salsa is great as a condiment for any snack or appetizer. It’s also nice on chicken enchiladas or as a dipping sauce for chips.

How do you store fresh salsa?

Store homemade salsa in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 5 days. You can also freeze salsa for up to 3 months in a freezer safe airtight container.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.
Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for tomatillo red chili salsa. This red tomatillo salsa is a DIY Chipotle restaurant salsa recipe.

Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa Recipe

Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa – Copycat Chipotle Hot Salsa

5 from 79 votes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 54kcal
Author: Bella Bucchiotti
For the freshest flavour, make your own tomatillo red chili salsa and enjoy as a snack or appetizer. This copycat Chipotle hot salsa sauce is also great with steak or chicken. Make lots, because this red tomatillo salsa will disappear fast!
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Ingredients

  • 10 tomatillos
  • 8 Cloves garlic
  • 1 jalapeño
  • 3 chili peppers red
  • 2 Tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 2 Tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1 Tablespoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 1 Can Rotel 10oz, I used these tomatoes and green chiles
  • 2 Teaspoon cumin
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper fresh cracked
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Bunch cilantro

Instructions

  • Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat
  • Remove husks from tomatillos. Cut in half. Cut the jalapeño and red chili peppers in half and remove the seeds.
  • Add olive oil to the pan to coat the bottom and place the tomatillos and jalapeño slices cut side up. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for 8 to 9 minutes to lightly brown. Juice 1 lime over them and add the crushed garlic, tomatoes and green chiles, and chipotle peppers. Continue cooking for 4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and add to a food processor or blender with remaining ingredients. Pulse for 30 seconds to break apart. *per your desired consistency*
  • Serve with tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 232mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 857IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
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The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

This Chipotle tomatillo red chili salsa tastes fresh and spicy. It’s a mouth-watering copycat Chipotle hot salsa sauce which boasts fresh flavours and a spicy zip. Once you make this Chipotle red chili salsa recipe, you will consider it your go to dip!

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for recipes, dogs, sustainability, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.

Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance food, travel, and lifestyle writer for MSN and the Associated Press Wire.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Kerri Sutherland wrote:

    5 stars
    I love Chipotle salsa. I need to try this!

    Posted 4.30.22 Reply
  2. Deborah wrote:

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try this recipe! I wish I had a chip right now to reach into the screen and grab a big scoop!

    Posted 5.17.22 Reply
  3. Jeff Gauwitz wrote:

    What type of red pepper are you
    using?

    Posted 8.12.23 Reply
    • They are chili peppers. I think Fresno variety but whatever chili pepper you can find will work.

      Posted 8.13.23 Reply
  4. John Danford wrote:

    5 stars
    Great recipe. I used 2 fresh jalapenos, 2 rehydrated guajjilos and 2 rehydrated anchos (ommitted the chili powder).

    Also roasted the garlic with the tomatillos and fresh jalapenos in the oven at a broil. I hear you want a nice char on everything (but the garlic)

    Tip: all of these ingredients are fresh and cheap from your local Mexican grocery don’t go to walmart or target.

    Posted 8.17.23 Reply
  5. Abby wrote:

    How many cups of salsa does this recipe make?

    Posted 9.30.23 Reply
    • Bella Bucchiotti wrote:

      Hi Abby, you should get 6 cups but since you’re using fresh tomatillos the exact quantity depends on their size since they do vary.

      Posted 11.3.23 Reply