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Classic Salsa Roja (Authentic Mexican Red Sauce) – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Classic Salsa Roja (Authentic Mexican Red Sauce)

Unlock the secret to incredible Mexican-inspired meals with this classic Salsa Roja recipe! This homemade cooked salsa delivers a deep, complex, and smoky flavor thanks to rich guajillo chiles. Serve it chunky as a dip or blend it smooth for the perfect red enchilada sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 2 cup
Calories: 40

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large guajillo chiles, toasted, soaked, and cleaned
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds (900 g / 31.7 oz) tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded, and chopped (about 3 cups / 720 ml; canned are fine)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup (960 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml / 1.5 fl oz) freshly squeezed lime juice
  • & Variations
  • For a perfect Red Enchilada Sauce, use an immersion blender to purée the finished salsa directly in the pan until it's completely smooth and velvety.
  • To create a charred, grill-kissed flavor, cut the tomatoes and onions into thick slices and grill or broil them until charred on both sides before proceeding with the recipe.
  • Make a Salsa Borracha (Drunk Salsa) by adding a bottle of Mexican beer with the tomatoes in step 2. Once cooked and blended, finish with a shot of tequila.
  • For a spicier, smokier salsa, add one dried chipotle chile (toasted and soaked with the guajillos) or a canned chipotle in adobo sauce along with the tomatoes.

Method
 

  1. Finely mince the prepared guajillo chiles.
  2. Put the oil in a medium saucepan or deep skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. When the oil is hot, add the minced chiles, chopped onions, and garlic.
  4. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the chopped tomatoes with their liquid, the sugar, a generous pinch of salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
  6. Stir everything to combine.
  7. Adjust the heat so the mixture bubbles gently.
  8. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the salsa has thickened and the flavors have melded together.
  9. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice.
  10. Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning as needed with more salt or pepper.
  11. Serve hot or at room temperature.
  12. Don't discard the chile soaking water! It's full of flavor and can be used to thin the salsa if it becomes too thick or as a base for other recipes like Tortilla Soup.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 2.5g

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