Roasted Serrano Salsa

If you love spice and bold, smoky flavors, then roasted serrano salsa is a must-try! This Mexican salsa is made with serrano peppers and roasted tomatoes to bring a rich, deep flavor to your meal. I love using it to top tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats, or just enjoying it with tortilla chips. It packs a punch and leaves you wanting more!

In this instance, my family and I enjoyed handmade Quesadillas de Masa topped with this serrano salsa for a match made in heaven. The cheesy tortillas balanced out the heat of the serrano peppers and we couldn’t get enough!

How Spicy Are Serrano Peppers?

Serrano peppers are considered to be medium to hot on the Scoville Heat Scale, typically ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This makes them spicier than jalapeños, which average around 3,500 SHU, but not as hot as habaneros or other super-spicy peppers. The heat level of serrano peppers can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions, so you can expect some variance in spiciness.

When making roasted serrano salsa, you get a nice balance of heat with the smokiness from roasting. If you’re sensitive to heat, you can reduce the spiciness by removing the seeds and membranes inside the peppers before roasting them.

I find that the spiciness varies greatly depending on where I buy the peppers. So if you’re new to serranos and sensitive to spice, try starting with less and then adding more once you’ve taste tested it.

How to Roast Tomatoes for Salsa

Roasting tomatoes is a key technique for adding depth and smokiness to salsa, and it’s super easy to do! If you’ve wondered why Mexican restaurant salsa tastes so good, it’s because they typically roast the tomatoes and peppers to perfection. This sweetens the tomatoes and softens the flavor of the peppers, so, combined with the right amount of garlic, salt and cilantro it’s salsa perfection!

Here’s how to roast tomatoes for salsa at home.

Instructions for Roasting Tomatoes:

1. Preheat a griddle (comal) or cast iron skillet: Place a clean, dry skillet over medium heat.
2. Prepare the tomatoes: Wash your tomatoes well under running water. Dry them and place them whole on the heated skillet.
3. Roast: Let the tomatoes roast for 20–25 minutes, or until the skin blisters, becomes black and the tomatoes are soft. Rotate the tomatoes about every 5 minutes to cook them evenly on all sides. When they are well charred and soft they are ready to be used in salsa or other Mexican sauces!

Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and adds a slightly smoky, caramelized taste, which is perfect for salsa.

Roasted Serrano Salsa Ingredients

Roasted serrano salsa is a hot and flavorful sauce that’s perfect for spicing up your dishes. Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious salsa:

• 10 serrano peppers: The star ingredient, serrano peppers, add heat and flavor to the salsa.
• 2 medium tomatoes: Roasted tomatoes add smokiness and sweetness to balance the heat from the serranos.
• 1 clove of garlic: Garlic adds an earthy, complex flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• 1/4 cup of cilantro: Fresh cilantro gives a bright, herbal note to the salsa.
• 3/4 teaspoon salt: To bring out the flavors of the salsa.

How to Make Roasted Serrano Salsa

Making roasted serrano salsa at home is super easy and only takes a few simple steps.

Instructions:

Roast the tomatoes and serrano peppers:

• Heat a clean, dry skillet over medium heat. Wash your tomatoes and serranos well under running water, dry them and place them whole on the hot skillet.
• Let the tomatoes and peppers roast for 15–25 minutes, or until the skin blisters, has black spots and they are soft. Rotate the tomatoes and peppers every few minutes to cook them evenly on all sides. The peppers will roast faster and will need to be removed 5-10 minutes before the tomatoes. When they are well charred and soft they are ready to be removed and placed in the blender.

Add the remaining ingredients:

• Add one clove of garlic, the chopped cilantro and salt to the blender.

Blend the salsa:

• Use the pulse function on your blender or processor until you reach the desired consistency. This salsa is typically left somewhat chunky so that it maintains the texture of the tomatoes and peppers.

Taste and serve:

• Taste the salsa and adjust the salt if needed.
• Transfer the salsa to a bowl and serve immediately with chips, tacos, grilled meats, or any of your favorite dishes.

Tips for Perfect Roasted Serrano Salsa:

• Adjust the heat: If you prefer a milder salsa, remove the seeds and membranes from the serrano peppers before roasting. You can also reduce the number of peppers and increase the quantity of tomatoes for a more mild and sweet salsa.
• Storage: Roasted serrano salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Why You’ll Love Roasted Serrano Salsa

Roasted serrano salsa is a great go-to salsa when you are looking for something with loads of flavor and plenty of spice. With its smoky roasted tomatoes, spicy serrano peppers, and fresh cilantro, this salsa brings heat, flavor, and vibrancy to any dish. Whether you’re dipping it or serving it as a condiment, roasted serrano salsa is sure to be a hit with your family.

Now that you know how to make your own homemade serrano salsa, it’s time to give this recipe a try! Add it to tacos, nachos or even scrambled eggs for a kick of flavor. We love this recipe in our home and I’m sure you will too.

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What to Serve with Serrano Salsa

• This salsa is a perfect topping for soft and cheesy Quesadillas Mexicanas.
• Try using it as a part of these delicious homemade Picaditas. Combining it with refried beans, cheese and crema is absolutely delicious!

Did you try making this recipe? Let me know how it went in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.

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Roasted Serrano Salsa

This roasted serrano salsa is made with serrano peppers, roasted tomatoes and garlic to bring a rich, deep flavor to your meal or tortilla chips!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword authentic mexican salsa, roasted salsa, roasted serrano salsa, salsa, serrano salsa

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 10 serrano peppers
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 cup of cilantro
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Heat a clean, dry skillet over medium heat. Wash your tomatoes and serranos well under running water, dry them and place them whole on the hot skillet.
• Let the tomatoes and peppers roast for 15–25 minutes, or until the skin blisters, has black spots and they are soft. Rotate the tomatoes and peppers every few minutes to cook them evenly on all sides. The peppers will roast faster and will need to be removed 5-10 minutes before the tomatoes. When they are well charred and soft they are ready to be removed and placed in the blender.
• Add one clove of garlic, the chopped cilantro and salt to the blender. Use the pulse function on your blender or processor until you reach the desired consistency. This salsa is typically left somewhat chunky so that it maintains the texture of the tomatoes and peppers.
• Taste the salsa and adjust the salt if needed. Transfer the salsa to a bowl and serve immediately with chips, tacos, grilled meats, or any of your favorite dishes.