Chile de arbol salsa

This 3 ingredient salsa de Chile de Arbol is a traditional Mexican salsa made with chile de arbol peppers, garlic, and tomatillos. It is one of my favorite salsas for its smoky and spicy flavor, making it perfect for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes.
salsa de chile de arbol in a saucer with chips and tomatillos peel on the side

About this recipe

Salsa de Chile de Arbol is a classic Mexican salsa prepared using chile de Arbol peppers, garlic, and tomatillos. It has a smoky and spicy flavor that my family loves. We love to eat it with tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes to give them a fiery kick. This salsa is so perfect for everything! You can have it with tacos, drizzled over refried beans, or for dipping air-fried tortilla chips.

How do you make this chile de arbol salsa recipe?

Halved tomatillos, chile de arbol and garlic on a bowl.

To begin, peel the tomatillos and wash them. Once clean, dry them and slice them into quarters.

Do not peel the garlic.

Halved tomatillos, chile de arbol and garlic in a skillet.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the skillet is hot, add 1-2 tablespoons of oil.

Add the unpeeled garlic, tomatillos, and chiles to the skillet.

roasted tomatillos in a skillet

Cook for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatillos are completely roasted. The chiles should look toasted and have slightly changed in color.

Peel the garlic, and add to the blender with the rest of the ingredients—season with a large pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and serve in a small bowl.

Tips for making the best salsa

Use fresh ingredients. Salsa is all about the freshness of the ingredients.

Adjust the heat to your taste: Salsa can be as mild or as spicy as you like. Adjust the amount of chile de arbol; if unsure, start with a smaller amount and add more as needed. If you prefer a spicy kick, you can add more chile de arbol until you reach your desired level of heat. Keep in mind that Chile de Arbol is very potent, so it’s always a good idea to start with a small amount and adjust as needed.

Balance the flavors: This salsa should have a balance of flavors, with a mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.

chile de arbol salsa 18 2

How spicy is a chile de arbol

Chile de árbol is a type of chili pepper that is commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It is a small, thin chili pepper with a fiery, hot, spicy flavor.

Chile de árbol is a spicy chili pepper, much hotter than a jalapeño pepper. However, it is not as hot as some of the hottest chili peppers, such as the habanero or ghost peppers.





salsa de chile de arbol 13 2

Chile de arbol salsa

Alejandra Graf
This 3 ingredient salsa de Chile de Arbol is a traditional Mexican salsa made with chile de arbol peppers, garlic, and tomatillos. It is one of my favorite salsas for its smoky and spicy flavor, making it perfect for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes.
4.25 de 4 votos
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Basics
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2 cups
Calories 76 kcal

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Blender or food processor
  • Mason jar to store

Ingredients
  

  • 12 medium tomatillos, quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 5 chiles de arbol
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • salt

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Once the skillet is hot, add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the unpeeled garlic, tomatillos, and chiles to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatillos are completely roasted.
  • Peel the garlic, and add to the blender with the rest of the ingredients—season with a large pinch of salt. Blend until all is completely integrated.

Video

Notes

How to store the salsa de chile de arbol

  • This salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • To maintain the freshness of the salsa, it is best to use a clean and dry spoon while serving and cover the remaining salsa with a tight lid.
  • It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Ensure the salsa is cool before freezing. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours before using.
  • This salsa tastes great hot or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 588mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 564IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Keyword authentic mexican salsa

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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