This fresh Salsa Verde (salsa verde cruda) comes together in minutes and is made with 100% raw ingredients (no cooking required!). The flavor is bright and zesty and so good served over tacos, on a burrito bowl, alongside enchiladas, or with a big bowl of chips for snacking!

Raw Salsa Verde vs Roasted Salsa Verde

Growing up in San Diego, I am no stranger to authentic Mexican food but it wasn’t until my visit to Mexico City in 2022 that I discovered salsa verde cruda and fell in love! Instead of roasting tomatillos for a more traditional salsa verde, fresh salsa verde is made with totally raw ingredients. This means absolutely no cooking! Just throw it all in the blender and go. The tomatillos, which are naturally tart, really get a chance to shine here!

The resulting salsa is bright, creamy, a little tart, a little spicy, and so, so good. You can really serve this salsa on anything, but I think it pairs best with fatty carnitas tacos. The acidity balances out the fat in the meat and it’s a heaven-sent combo.

Helpful Tools

• High Powered Blender
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Storage Jars

Fresh Salsa Verde Ingredients

You can find the full list of ingredients, quantities & method in the recipe card at the end of the page.

• Tomatillos. Tomatillos are NOT the game as green tomatoes! They’re actually part of the gooseberry family. Look for tomatillo with their husks mostly intact that are bright green and firm.
• Serrano. Every salsa needs a little heat! You can swap in jalapeno, or remove the seeds from the serrano for a less-spicy salsa.
• Avocado. The avocado adds creaminess and helps temper the spice from the serrano.
• Lime juice. Always use fresh lime juice for best results!
• White onion. Since white onion has a milder flavor, it’s best in this salsa. Any other onion may make the salsa too piquant, in a bad way.
• Cilantro. Be sure to use the leaves and tender stems. The stems have a lot of flavor!

How to Serve Fresh Salsa Verde

This raw salsa verde is super versatile! While I think it’s best served on carnitas, you can serve it as a condiment on any number of my taco recipes. It also goes great with carne asada and pollo asado.

Try it over burrito bowls or with my classic chicken enchiladas. It’s also delicious served up over eggs, or with a big bowl of chips!

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More Homemade Sauces to Try

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Classic Chimichurri Sauce
Blender Hollandaise Sauce
Romesco Sauce

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