Say hello to the most refreshing way to celebrate strawberry season—Strawberry Salsa! It’s a symphony of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, dotted with vibrant colors and lively textures. Whether you’re inviting friends for a summer barbecue or craving a quick snack, this salsa bursts with personality and is almost impossibly easy to whip up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Flavor Explosion: Each bite is a pop of juicy strawberries, zesty lime, and lively herbs that tastes like sunshine on your tongue.
- Incredibly Easy: You’ll have this showstopper ready in just minutes—no cooking or fancy techniques required!
- Beautiful & Versatile: This Strawberry Salsa doubles as a colorful appetizer or a creative topping for all sorts of dishes.
- Customizable to Taste: Easily adjust sweetness, spice, or herbiness to make it perfect for your palate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Strawberry Salsa comes from a handful of simple, super fresh ingredients—each contributing flavor, texture, or visual pop. Pick the best produce you can find, and you’ll taste the difference in every bite!
- Juice and zest from 1 medium lime: This brightens and balances the salsa, while the zest provides a citrusy burst you just can’t get from juice alone.
- 1 ½ teaspoons honey or maple syrup: A touch of natural sweetness that complements the berries and tames the jalapeño’s bite.
- Pinch of fine sea salt: Essential for coaxing out the juiciness of the strawberries and bringing all the flavors into harmony.
- 1 pint of strawberries, hulled and diced: The heart and soul of this recipe—use ripe, fragrant berries for the sweetest, juiciest results.
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped: Adds a playful heat! Adjust the seeds depending on how spicy you want things.
- ½ small red onion, chopped: For a pleasant, savory crunch and color contrast—plus, the mild bite pairs perfectly with the fruitiness.
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro: Lends earthy, citrusy flavor and a vibrant green pop. Don’t worry about some tender stems—those are tasty, too!
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste: Gives the salsa a subtle, peppery backbone that ties everything together.
- Chips for serving: Go classic with tortilla chips, or get creative—this salsa is happy atop grilled chicken or fish, too.
Variations
If you’re the kind of cook who loves to play, Strawberry Salsa is the ideal blank canvas—swap ingredients, adjust the flavors, and personalize to your heart’s content. It’s nearly impossible to go wrong!
- Go Vegan: Simply use maple syrup for a naturally sweet, completely plant-based salsa.
- Mix Up the Fruit: Try swapping in diced mango, pineapple, or kiwi alongside (or instead of) strawberries for a tropical twist.
- Herb Adventure: Switch the cilantro for fresh mint or basil if you’re not a cilantro fan, or add a sprinkle of chives for a gentle onion flavor.
- Turn Down (or Up!) the Heat: Use only half a jalapeño or replace with a mild pepper for less heat—or add extra seeds if you love it spicy.
- Red Onion Swap: Try chopped green onions or sweet onions for a milder flavor, or soak the red onion in cold water first to mellow the bite.
How to Make Strawberry Salsa
Step 1: Whisk the Dressing
Start by whisking together the lime juice, zest, honey or maple syrup, and a pinch of fine sea salt in a large bowl. This quick step creates a citrusy, slightly sweet foundation that will tie all the flavors together and encourage your strawberries to release their beautiful juices.
Step 2: Add the Fresh Ingredients
Stir in the diced strawberries, chopped jalapeño, red onion, and fresh cilantro right into your bowl with the dressing. Mix gently but thoroughly, making sure every piece gets a little love from that zesty marinade.
Step 3: Season and Taste
Add freshly ground black pepper to taste, then grab a spoon and sample your creation. Maybe you want more lime for brightness, a touch more honey for sweetness, or a pinch more salt—adjust until it’s just right for you.
Step 4: Let It Marinate (Optional)
If your strawberries are super juicy, you can serve the salsa immediately. Otherwise, let it rest for about 30 minutes—you’ll be amazed how the flavors blend and the salsa gets even juicier and more vibrant.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Salsa
- Strawberry Perfection: Choose strawberries that are deep red and fragrant for the juiciest, sweetest salsa—the flavor really shines through!
- Uniform Chopping: Dice all your ingredients into evenly sized pieces—this not only looks beautiful but ensures every scoop has a perfect balance of flavors.
- Cilantro Confidence: Don’t be shy—the tender cilantro stems pack just as much (if not more) flavor as the leaves. Just chop them right along with the tops for the freshest taste.
- Adjust for Juiciness: If your salsa isn’t juicy enough after mixing, let it rest for 20-30 minutes so the salt and lime can draw out those gorgeous strawberry juices.
How to Serve Strawberry Salsa
Garnishes
I love a shower of extra chopped cilantro or a sprinkle of finely sliced green onions right before serving—both add freshness and a pop of color. For a little extra zip, try a touch more lime zest on top as a finishing flourish.
Side Dishes
Strawberry Salsa is a superstar next to classic tortilla chips, but don’t stop there. Spoon it onto grilled chicken, fish tacos, or even a summer quinoa salad. It’s also heavenly as a topping for avocado toast or as a bright side for a cheese board.
Creative Ways to Present
Go beyond the bowl! Try serving this salsa in little lettuce cups for a party, atop crostini for a festive appetizer, or even stuffed inside mini bell peppers. You can also pile it up in a clear glass jar to show off those brilliant layers at a picnic or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Strawberry Salsa keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors mingle and deepen, turning leftovers into a truly crave-worthy snack the next day!
Freezing
While you can technically freeze Strawberry Salsa, the texture may suffer and become mushy once thawed, since fresh berries and herbs don’t love the freezer. Enjoy it fresh whenever possible for the best taste and appeal.
Reheating
No heating needed here! Just give your chilled Strawberry Salsa a little stir before serving. If any extra juice accumulates, pour it off or mix it in depending on your preferred consistency.
FAQs
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Can I make Strawberry Salsa ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, letting the salsa sit for 30 minutes (or even a few hours) allows the flavors to meld and the strawberries to get extra juicy. Just store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
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What can I serve with Strawberry Salsa besides chips?
This salsa is delicious with grilled chicken, fish tacos, pork tenderloin, or as a vibrant topping for burgers and salads. It also makes a creative addition to crostini, cheese boards, or lettuce wraps!
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What if I don’t like cilantro?
No problem! Swap the cilantro for fresh mint, basil, or even flat-leaf parsley—each adds its own unique twist that pairs well with strawberries.
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How can I make my Strawberry Salsa less spicy?
Simply remove all the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño, or use less of the pepper. You can also swap in a milder pepper, like sweet bell pepper, for an extra gentle kick.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try this Strawberry Salsa—it’s a burst of pure, fresh joy that brightens every table and brings smiles with every scoop. Roll up your sleeves, grab those ripe berries, and let’s make something unforgettable together!
Print
Strawberry Salsa Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer/Snack
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Salsa recipe that combines juicy strawberries with a kick of jalapeño, zesty lime, and aromatic cilantro. Perfect for snacking or as a topping for grilled meats.
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Salsa:
- 1 medium lime, juiced and zested
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chips for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, honey, and salt.
- If desired, allow the salsa to marinate for about 30 minutes for optimal flavor.
- Serve with chips and enjoy!
Stir in strawberries, jalapeño, onion, and cilantro. Season with black pepper and adjust to taste.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Dishing Up the Dirt by Andrea Bemis.
- For a vegan version, substitute maple syrup for honey.
- Tip: Chop herb stems like cilantro along with the leaves for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 44
- Sugar: 6.6g
- Sodium: 532.7mg
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11.2g
- Fiber: 2.6g
- Protein: 0.9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
