Salsa Roja {Red Hot Sauce}

4.70 from 68 votes

An authentic Mexican Salsa made with dried chile de arbol and red tomatoes. This reminds me of the "Taco Shop" style red hot sauce you can use on all of your favorite Mexican dishes. Or, use it on any foods you'd like to add some flavorful spice to!

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: hot sauce, salsa, sauces

Servings: cup

Calories: 14kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

3-4 roma tomatoes rinsed (about 10-12 oz.)
4 garlic cloves skin on
½ oz. dried chile de árbol about 20 chiles, rinsed & stems removed
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon Mexican dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon reserved water from soaked chiles

Optional (for extra heat):

serrano peppers I usually add 2, we like ours spicy!

Instructions

Using a knife, score an “X” on the bottom of each tomato (this allows easy peeling).
Place the tomatoes and garlic cloves (skin-on) on a foil-lined baking sheet, and Broil on High (a few inches from the heat source) for about 5 minutes.
Remove the garlic cloves, flip the tomatoes and broil 5 more minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a skillet on medium-high. Toast the chiles de arbol for about 1-2 minutes, mixing constantly, until slightly browned. (Careful to not burn, they cook fast!)
Place the chile de arbol in a sauce pan with about 2 cups of boiled water. Cover and let soak for 20 minutes.
Peel the tomatoes and the garlic and add them to a High-Powered Blender (like this one: Vitamix). Add the rest of the ingredients: chiles de arbol, reserved water from pan (2 tablespoons to start), apple cider vinegar, oregano, salt, and serrano peppers (if using).
Blend until smooth (1-2 minutes). You can add in more water if you would like a thinner consistency, and more salt to taste.
Store in an air-tight jar, container, or these: Condiment Squeeze Bottles, and keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Video

Notes

Blending Tips:

When blending, I recommend using a High-Powered Blender like the one I have: Vitamix. But, you can also use a food processor, although you may have to blend it in batches.
If using a regular blender, it may not come out as smooth. You will have to blend it longer, and open and mix a few times during blending, until desired consistency is achieved.

(Nutritional Info is for 2 tablespoons of salsa.)

Nutrition