This salsa recipe is so easy & good you might never buy store-bought again. Using fresh ingredients, you’ll have restaurant-style salsa made right in your slow cooker or Instant Pot.
PIN FOR LATER
Updated 2019 with Instant Pot instructions
I make slow cooker salsa recipe all the time but it’s been a hard recipe for me to get to the blog. “A couple of tomatoes, little bit of salt, some cilantro, little bit of pepper” you get where I’m going here right? It’s one of those recipes I usually don’t use measurements for. After you make it once or twice, you probably won’t use any measurements either.
before (slow cooker)
This is a true slow cooker recipe in the sense that you throw everything, stir, and let it cook. Since it’s all going to be blended down, you don’t even need to chop the vegetables if you don’t have time.
after (slow cooker)
How do you like your salsa? Spicy or mild? Chunky or restaurant-style? This is an easy recipe to tweak to your liking. As-is, this salsa recipe is fairly mild. If you want to add more heat, you can add some sliced jalapeño with the seeds in. Personally, I like mine medium – not too chunky, not too watery. When the salsa is done cooking, let it cool and then blend it down to your desired consistency. To blend this down, you can use a blender, food processor, etc. I like to use a handheld immersion blender directly in the slow cooker or electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot). Like chunky salsa? Mash it with a fork rather than using a blender.
blend to desired consistency
Other condiment recipes you might enjoy:
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot BBQ Sauce (Paleo, Whole30)
Slow Cooker Ghee (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
Slow Cooker Coconut-Curry Sauce (Paleo, Whole30)
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Salsa (Paleo,Whole30)
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
- Yield: 2-4 cups 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 3 large tomatoes, chopped (approx 1.5 pounds)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup water (for IP)
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Cook HIGH 1-2 or LOW 2-4.
- Let salsa cool. Once cooled, blend to desired consistency.
Instant Pot
- Add all the ingredients to the pressure cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook 15 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure.
- Let salsa cool. Once cooled, blend to desired consistency.
How much salsa this makes will depend on how large your tomatoes are. My last batch made a little under 4 cups. Prefer salsa verde? Swap out the tomatoes for 1 lb. of tomatillos.
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PIN FOR LATER
I never thought of doing salsa in a slow cooker lol – thank you for this! I’ve always either grilled or put my ingredients on frying pan, then into blender – but this works perfectly and so fast/hands off. I too substitute juice of limes for vinegar, but have saved a couple of your recipes now so thanks again!
You’re very welcome! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe and found a new way to make salsa. I hope you enjoy some more of my recipes!
This recipe is great! I altered it a bit by using lime juice instead of vinegar and adding in 5 different types of hot peppers, a couple of baby carrots and the tiniest dash of cinnamon that I could and it tasted amazing. It wasn’t too spicy (for me at least, but I’ve been eaten ghost peppers for years) and the cinnamon flavor just barely came through enough to be noticeable but not overpower the other spices.
So the recipe calls for green bell pepper, what about the jalapeno?
The jalapeno is optional. Enjoy!
Can you use canned tomatoes?
Absolutely!
I have honestly never even thought about making my own salsa or how it’s made! I am so used to just buying a jar but yours looks so good!!
I never thought about making salsa with a slow cooker! Such a genius idea, and it looks delicious!
xo
Sami
http://www.theclassicbrunette.com
I use my slow cooker all the time but I’d never thought of using it for salsa! I definitely need to give this recipe a try
i’m never one to turn down salsa, this sounds terrific!
Yum! Looks good. Is there anything better than chips and salsa?
Wow it is so yummy! Would try it soon since it is so easy!
I have been looking for a salsa recipe. I like how this is made in the slow cooker with little prep work. Can’t wait to try it out.
Se ve sabroso!
This looks and sounds delicious.Great that I can make it in a slow cooker .I enjoy slow cooker meals.The taste is always better.
wow, this looks so simple and delicious. Shall love to try it out soon
It doesn’t even have any exotic ingredients in it. I ought to be able to figure this out! Looks like it would taste amazing…thanks for sharing the recipe with us!