They are firm, yet sweet tasting and are readily available at most grocery stores. That's really best anyway; grocery store tomatoes aren't very good (unless you manage to get some that have been grown locally). That's the only way to know that your recipe is safe to can. If it's been a particularly rainy year, you may even want to do this with paste tomatoes. Sure. Related: How to Make the Best Salsa of Your Life. So, part of choosing the right tomato involves picking a tomato that's well-suited to your recipe. many varieties of large heirloom tomatoes. If this is the route you take, opt for a can of the fire-roasted stuff and make sure to drain it really well before proceeding with your recipe. Looking for the best tomatoes for your next batch of salsa? Plus, our best recipe for restaurant-quality salsa. If you're making a juicier salsa, like a pico de gallo or salsa cruda, go with a juicier tomato. National Center for Food Preservation website. Just slice them and scoop out the juice and seeds with a spoon or your fingers, chop the rest, then drain in a colander. If you're making a thick salsa, go with one or more of the paste tomatoes recommended above. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Many regard paste tomatoes as the best tomatoes for homemade salsa because they contain few seeds, little juice, and have a nice meaty texture, but really, any tomato will make good salsa, as long as you master a few tricks. Different tomato varieties have different flavors, so consider using several types of tomatoes in your salsa to add depth to the flavor. Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. Homemade salsa can also be frozen for later use. Modern tomatoes aren't as acidic as they used to be, so if you plan to can your salsa, you'll need to add lemon juice or vinegar to bump up the acidity. Paste tomatoes are fleshy and have less juice and fewer seeds than other types of tomatoes, which makes them the ideal choice for this particular endeavor. Some types of tomatoes are better enjoyed sliced on a sandwich than in salsa. Because they’re not very juicy, they also cook down quickly—this obviously isn’t important for salsa making, but it can be handy knowledge for the next time you’re preparing a tomato sauce. There are dozens of different ways to make salsa. More information about safely canning tomato products can be found on the National Center for Food Preservation website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. fotolinchen/Getty Images, Credit: Ripe Tomatoes are best for making salsa. If the only tomatoes in your kitchen are watery and seedy, you can totally work with that. A large, slicing tomato, like Celebrity or Amelia, would work well in fresh salsa recipes. While those qualities certainly make for a tasty tomato, they’re not ideal for salsa-making. As salsa tends to be one of those recipes that people invent (or reinvent) as they go, tossing in a bit of this and that, it's important to note that if you're planning to can your salsa, you really need to stick to the recipe. Vine-ripened tomatoes are packed with flavor, so you really can't go wrong with them. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Many regard paste tomatoes as the best tomatoes for homemade salsa because they contain few seeds, little juice, and have a nice meaty texture, but really, any tomato will make good salsa, as long as you master a few tricks. You can find Romas just about anywhere, but if you want to try some of the other varieties on the list, you'll either need to grow them yourself or buy them from a farmer. Preheat oven to 400°. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/214893/the-best-fresh-tomato-salsa Best Tomatoes for Salsa. Salsas made with globe tomatoes tend to get watery when you freeze them. Best Tomatoes to Use for Salsa. Related: How to Make Canned Tomatoes Taste Fresh, Credit: Erin Huffstetler is a writer with experience writing about easy ways to save money at home. Very difficult to find ripe tomatoes in most supermarkets. That said, the actual best tomatoes for salsa are the ones you have on hand. makes them the ideal choice for this particular endeavor. And preferably that can be found in most supermarkets. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. While salsa made from canned tomatoes may not be quite impressive, nuanced, or healthy as tomatoes made from fresh tomatoes, it’s still salsa (and there’s something to be said for convenience). If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. Some recipes make thick salsa; some recipes make juicy salsa. If you have a ton of ripe tomatoes sitting on your counter, those are the tomatoes to use in your salsa, even if they didn't make the list of best salsa tomatoes. For instance, many varieties of large heirloom tomatoes are high in moisture and have lots of seeds. That said, the actual best tomatoes for salsa are the ones you have on hand. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. And third choice would be the ‘standard’ globe-shaped tomatoes… The best tomato for salsa is, for obvious reasons, going to be one that is freshly picked off the bush. Here are some of the most popular types of tomatoes for salsa: No matter which type you choose, always look for fruits that look ripe and healthy—pass on the ones with bruising or browning. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, Pick the Right Tomato for Your Salsa Recipe, Skip the Storebought and Make This Fresh Pico de Gallo, A Simple Guide to Tomato Varieties by Color, How to Make Tomato Sauce From Fresh Tomatoes, The Best Tomatoes for Making Tomato Sauce, Classic Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe (Pico de Gallo), The Virgin Mary: Spice Up Brunch With a Great Tomato Drink, 9 Sweet and Savory Mexican-Inspired After-School Snacks, 23 Recipes for a Festive Cinco de Mayo Menu.