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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa

    By Nancy Mock August 31, 2017 Updated July 4, 2022 Leave a Comment

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    Fresh Tomato Basil Salsa! The irresistible combo of basil, garlic and fresh tomatoes come together in this flavorful, summery salsa.
    Bowls of chips and tomato salsa

    Enjoy it spooned on pizza, served with grilled chicken, or with a bowl of salty chips. Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa is such a versatile condiment and it's ready in 30 minutes or less.

    white bowl of tomato salsa
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    This post may contain affiliate links.

    This easy, homemade Basil Tomato Salsa came into being a few years back when my daughter and I spent most of the summer eating Margherita pizza: a simple, summery combination of fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and loads of garlic (along with mozzarella cheese on a pizza crust.)

    We had a hankering for that fresh and irresistible combination all summer long—so much so that we decided to make a salsa out of those flavors.

    tomato salsa with basil leaves

    This tomato basil salsa recipe bears an obvious resemblance to bruschetta topping, but as my daughter wisely pointed out, bruschetta topping is a salsa. True, it doesn't have the typical salsa combination of onions, peppers, and cilantro, but in the most literal of definitions, it fits.

    Once we justified this thinking, we proceeded to consume it in a frenzied manner with tortilla chips. And it is so good!

    Here's another veggie dish that's dang good: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts With Garlic.

    bowls of tomato salsa and tortilla chips

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This tomato salsa with basil is the perfect way to showcase the freshest produce you can put your hands on, whether from your garden or from the farm stand. And with fresh, minced garlic it's one of the most refreshing salsas ever.

    The recipe needs only six ingredients and comes together pretty fast. The flavor is delicious when served immediately, and even better if you have time to let it sit a short time for the flavors to meld.

    Tortilla chip with salsa

    My tomato salsa recipe with basil in it is really versatile, too: serve it with tortilla chips or crackers as an appetizer, or spoon it over a pizza crust with melted mozzarella cheese. Serve the salsa with grilled veggies, fish dishes, or grilled chicken. Spoon it over toasted pieces of bread to make a quick bruschetta snack. It's also delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich.

    Tomatoes, basil leaves, and garlic

    🔪 How to make Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa

    Step 1: Dice the tomatoes

    Glass dish of diced tomatoes

    Remove the seeds and pulp and slice the tomatoes into small pieces.

    Step 2: Slice the basil

    Ribbons of sliced basil leaves

    Stack the basil leaves and roll them up from the long edge. Run a knife through the leaves to make thin slivers.

    Step 3: Mince the garlic

    Do this by hand or in a food processor. Just be sure to use fresh garlic, not the bottled stuff.

    Step 4: Mix it all together

    Olive oil pouring into bowl of diced tomatoes

    Stir these three ingredients together with oil, salt, and pepper. Let it sit awhile or if you cannot resist, begin eating it right away!

    What's the best tomato for this salsa?

    Any fresh tomato will work for salsa, but my favorite type is the Roma tomato. This medium-sized, oblong variety has thick walls, so you get less seeds and messy pulp and more diced tomato.

    Tortilla chips with bowl of red and green salsa

    Notes:

    • For the best flavor use the freshest ingredients you can find: tomatoes and basil from your garden, the farmer's market, or the best-looking specimens in the produce section. Use fresh cloves of garlic, too.

    In addition to tortilla chips, this salsa is also quite good with pita chips or spread over little slices of baguette.

    Better still, sprinkle mozzarella over the salsa-topped baguette slices, slip them under the broiler for a minute, and you'll have little mini Margherita pizza bites!

    white bowl of tomato salsa

    The recipe for Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa is below, and here are more salsa recipes you might wanna try!

    Spicy Pineapple Coconut Salsa
    A vibrant and spicy pineapple coconut salsa with both sweet and heat. It's such a refreshing and delicious snack, or topping for burgers and grilled meats.
    Take me there
    Bowl of salsa with pineapple
    Pico de Gallo Salsa
    The simplest, but one of the best: Pico de Gallo Salsa. Spicy, fresh flavor that begs for crisp tortilla chips, and ready in 30 minutes or less!
    Take me there
    Here is the simplest of salsas: Pico de Gallo. Seven ingredients chopped and tossed together.
    Cucumber Salsa with Chèvre on Toast
    This is a little snack or appetizer of fresh cucumber salsa, fresh chèvre and little toasts. A little fancy and very tasty!
    Take me there
    A refreshing salsa with cool cucumbers and habanero heat. It is served on sourdough slices with soft chevre cheese.

    💬 How do you like this salsa? Leave a comment below, and leave a star rating on this recipe.

    Salsa with basil leaves in bowl

    Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa

    Nancy Mock
    Enjoy it spooned on pizza, served with grilled chicken, or with a bowl of salty chips. Fresh Basil Tomato Salsa is such a versatile condiment and it's ready in 30 minutes or less.
    4.43 from 19 votes. Tap stars to vote
    Print This Recipe Pin This Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer, Salsas, Sauces, Snack
    Servings 8 servings

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 10 Roma tomatoes (Regular Romas in the grocery are about 3.5 ounces each. Once seeded and chopped you will have about 4 cups.)
    • ½ cup fresh basil leaves, removed from the stems, washed and dried
    • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Slice the tomatoes in half lengthwise. Remove and discard the seeds and pulp. Chop the tomatoes into small pieces and place them in a large bowl.
    • Stack 3-4 basil leaves on top of each other. Roll them up from one of the long sides, then slice through the roll horizontally with a knife. Run your knife once or twice through these ribbons of basil, then add them to the bowl. Repeat with the rest of the basil leaves.
    • Finely mince the garlic cloves by hand or in a food processor, and add them to the bowl. Add in the oil, salt, and pepper. Gently toss the ingredients together. 
    • The salsa can be served immediately or allowed to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour for the flavors to meld.
    • Serve the salsa with tortilla or pita chips. It can also be served on bite-sized pieces of artisan sourdough or white bread—if desired, sprinkle a little mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese over the tops and place them under the broiler for about a minute, then serve them immediately.
    • Makes about 4 cups of salsa

    Notes

    • For the best flavor use the freshest ingredients you can find: tomatoes and basil from your garden, the farmer's market, or the best looking specimens in the produce section. Use fresh garlic, too.
    • Any fresh tomato will work for salsa, but my favorite type is the Roma tomato. This medium-sized, oblong variety has thick walls, so you get fewer seeds and messy pulp and more diced tomato.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 295mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 698IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment, tell me what you think!
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