Green Chile Vegetable (vegan) Salsa Recipe

Preheat and prepare

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) or set a gas burner to medium-high for charring. Rinse tomatillos and remove husks; pat dry. Quarter the roma tomatoes. Peel and quarter the onion. Leave garlic cloves whole but smash slightly to expose flesh.

Roast or char chiles and vegetables

Toss tomatillos, tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a bowl with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Place on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 18–22 minutes, turning once, until tomatillos are blistered and tomatoes softened. Separately, char the poblano and hatch/anaheim chiles over a gas flame or under the broiler until blistered all over (about 6–10 minutes), turning with tongs. Transfer charred chiles to a bowl and cover with a plate or plastic wrap to steam for 10 minutes (this loosens skins).

Peel and seed chiles

Once cooled enough to handle, peel the charred chiles, remove seeds and stems (leave some seeds for heat if desired), and roughly chop the flesh. If you prefer more smokiness, retain a bit of charred skin.

Combine roasted vegetables

Place roasted tomatillos, tomatoes, onion, and garlic into a blender or food processor. Add the chopped roasted green chiles.

Pulse to desired texture

Pulse 6–10 times for a chunky salsa, or blend 20–30 seconds for a smoother purée. While blending, add 2 tablespoons water to reach desired consistency. Scrape down sides once and blend again if necessary.

Season and finish

Transfer salsa to a bowl. Stir in chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar or agave if using. Taste and adjust salt, lime, or heat. Let rest 10–15 minutes for flavors to meld.

Just before serving, stir in optional diced green onion for texture. If serving with tamales, offer diced avocado on the side to spoon over individual portions so it stays fresh and doesn’t brown.

Store leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Re-stir before serving; add a splash of lime or a tablespoon of water if it thickens.