Make a batch of zucchini salsa in 10 minutes or less. It's packed with fresh summer flavor and makes the perfect appetizer for your next party!
Why make zucchini salsa?
Flavor: Bright, fresh, summery, spicy.
Great way to use up seasonal produce. Zucchini, tomatoes, jalapenos, and onions are common summer produce that can be grown in your own home garden.
Ready in 10 minutes. All you need is a food processor and you can have a batch of salsa ready in 10 minutes or less.
Great for: A quick summer appetizer, taco topping, snacking.
You may also like: Zucchini Pesto and Vegetable Pasta Sauce
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Zucchini - You'll need about one medium zucchini for this recipe.
- Tomatoes - I used plum tomatoes, but just about any fresh, in-season tomato you have on hand will work.
- Onion - One small, sweet onion adds flavor to your salsa. I don't recommend omitting it.
- Jalapeno - Adds a hint of heat. Leave the membranes and seeds in for warmer flavor. Add an extra jalapeno for more heat.
- Cilantro - Adds flavor to your salsa. If you dislike cilantro, it can be substituted with parsley for a peppery flavor.
- Lime juice - Adds a bit of acidity and citrus flavor. Lime juice also helps to preserve your salsa.
- Seasoning - Chili powder, salt, cumin, and pepper add warm, savory flavor.
How to make zucchini salsa
- Add ingredients to the bowl of a large food processor.
- Secure the lid on top.
- Pulse in 1 second bursts until desired texture is achieved.
- Make a chunky or smooth salsa with this recipe.
Tips and tricks
Use a 9-cup or larger food processor - You'll need a food processor with at least a 9-cup capacity for this recipe. If you have a smaller food processor, make two smaller batches and mix them together after processing.
Pulse in 1 second bursts - To prevent overmixing, pulse carefully in 1 second bursts until desired consistency is achieved. Feel free to blend your salsa as much as you like for a chunky or smooth texture.
Don't have a food processor? - A blender can work as a substitute. You could also dice your ingredients by hand for a chunky salsa.
Storage
Leftover salsa will keep for 3 to 5 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Salsa can be frozen but the texture will be softer and a bit watery upon thawing. Salsa will keep in the freezer for 3 months or more when stored in optimal conditions. I recommend storing in freezer-safe bags and freezing flat to take up less space.
Frequently asked questions
Serve with tortilla chips for a quick and easy appetizer. I also like to use mine as a topping for tacos, fajitas, and burritos. Add a dollop to your next burger, add a few spoons to a pot of soup for extra flavor, or mix into your morning scrambled eggs.
Yes, it's perfectly safe to eat zucchini raw, just like other fruits and vegetables.
I haven't tried canning this recipe, so I can't say for sure how it would turn out. If you give it a try, let us know how it goes in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Zucchini Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini, ends trimmed and sliced into large chunks
- 4 plum tomatoes, quartered
- 1 small onion, quartered
- 1 jalapeno pepper, stem, seeds, and membranes removed
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In the bowl of a large food processor, add all ingredients.
- Pulse in 1 second bursts until desired consistency is achieved.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Recommended Equipment
Notes
- Yield: This recipe makes about 3.5 cups of salsa.
- Storage: Homemade salsa will keep for about 3 to 5 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Salsa can be frozen (texture will be soft and a little water upon thawing) for up to 3 months.
- Blend it: Don't have a food processor? Use a blender or dice ingredients and stir together for a chunky salsa.
I had so much fun creating this recipe! I hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do. If you have a question, check out the post above, which is packed with information about the recipe. Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts — leave a comment and a star rating to share your feedback!
can squash be used instead of zucchini
Yes, summer squash would work great as a substitute.