How To Unlock The Ultimate Homemade Salsa Without Adding Extra Ingredients

Whether you're looking for a quick game day snack or something to enjoy while watching a movie, chips and salsa are about as easy as it gets, as both can be conveniently picked up from the grocery store. Yet, even the best store-bought salsa won't be quite as satisfying as a fresh version made at home — as long as you understand how to make the most out of your ingredients for optimal flavor. You won't even have to reach for your spice rack with some clever flavoring techniques.

Kimberly Lock, the chef and founder of Fifth Fork, said one of the keys to unlocking a salsa's full potential is roasting some of the ingredients before mixing them all together. "Roasting will transform the flavor of any salsa because it caramelizes the natural sugars in many vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and peppers," Lock said. "This will add a smoky flavor, especially if roasted over an open flame, and it can accentuate the sweetness while helping to mellow some of the harsher, raw flavors in foods like onions and garlic."

Roasting some of the ingredients beforehand not only helps amplify the taste but also helps the salsa get its silky smooth consistency, according to Lock. "[It's] especially helpful if you blend your salsa," she said. "The final result will be richer and have a more complex flavor profile than a raw version."

Although it's the ideal way to impart a smoky depth of flavor for your salsa, the veggies don't necessarily need to be roasted on a grill to expose their hidden potential. Kimberly Lock mentioned that she cooks some components in her oven at 425 F for 20 to 30 minutes, as they might not benefit as much from time over an open flame. " ... Oven roasting is best for wetter ingredients like tomatoes," she stated.

One drawback to using the oven is that it can be challenging to achieve a satisfying char. However, if you are confident you won't get distracted, there is a simple way to mimic the effect of roasting them over fire. Lock said, "If you can, broiling will add a nice char, but don't walk away; keep a close eye on it." The difference between charred and burnt can be mere seconds with a broiler, so a watchful eye is paramount.

It's worth noting that roasting certain ingredients will have a bigger effect on their flavor than others. "You will get the most benefit from roasting tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, garlic, and chili peppers, like jalapeños," Lock said. The garlic in particular becomes sweeter and nuttier after some time in the oven, but it burns easily if you're not careful. To prevent that, keep the skin on and cut the bulbs in half to roast. Once they're done roasting, cool them before directly squeezing the garlic out into the salsa.