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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Salsa Recipes

    Cilantro Salsa Recipe with Lime and Jalapeño

    Published: May 9, 2023 · Updated: May 24, 2023 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cilantro Salsa Recipe
    Cilantro Salsa Recipe
    Cilantro Salsa Recipe

    This cilantro salsa is a fantastic taco bar topping, and a fresh green salsa for any Southwest, or Mexican meal. Bright herbs, green onions, spicy jalapeño, and lime make this recipe versatile and tasty.


    This green salsa with cilantro and onions is one of the best taco toppings, with all the fresh flavors you want in one spoonful. Spicy jalapeño, green onions, lime, and cilantro make this fresh green salsa great for tacos, my Chipotle Chicken Meatballs, nachos or a Mexican taco salad.

    Cilantro salsa in bowl with spoon on black surface
    Jump to:
    • This cilantro salsa recipe is one of the best taco toppings for a taco bar
    • What are traditional taco toppings?
    • Salsa not just for tacos!
    • A fresh salsa recipe starring cilantro and green onions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Cilantro Salsa Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    This cilantro salsa recipe is one of the best taco toppings for a taco bar

    Salsas and fresh green toppings are always on the list when I'm figuring out what to put on a taco bar.

    The filling for tacos is easy. You choose your protein or veggie, season it perfectly and boom! You have a great taco filling.

    I have some great taco recipes you can try:

    • Blackened Salmon Tacos are delicious fish tacos!
    • Green Chili Beef Tacos are a great one-skillet meal.
    • Corn and Chorizo Tacos are spicy and delicious.
    • Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa would be great with extra cilantro!
    • Veggie Loaded Carnitas Tacos are made in the slow cooker.

    For the toppings I always have fresh cilantro on hand. Many of my tomato or fruit salsa recipes include cilantro, but sometimes I want a real pop of green freshness.

    This cilantro and onion-heavy salsa with spicy jalapeño and lime is the most ideal combo. It's not a saucy salsa. Rather, a fresh topping that goes on tacos and so many other things.

    What are traditional taco toppings?

    On my trips to Mexico, and of course to the taco stands in NYC and Queens, I see a slew of similar taco topping options.

    The most traditional taco toppings include chopped white onions, cilantro, and hot sauce. Beyond that you'll find different salsas, avocado, and cheeses.

    I'm sharing a taco toppings list that you'll want to keep handy at all times! Use any or all of these on a taco bar, with your weeknight taco dinner, or on top of nachos!

    Toppings for tacos:

    • Cilantro
    • Cotija or Queso Blanco cheese
    • Hot sauce like Chalula
    • Tomato salsa or pico de gallo
    • Tomatillo or Green Salsa
    • Diced avocado
    • Chopped white onion
    • Pickled red onions
    • Pickled jalapeños
    • Roasted corn or corn salsa
    • Sliced scallions
    • Jalapeños or diced chilis
    • Grated cheese (cheddar or Pepper Jack)
    • Sliced fresh or pickled radishes
    • Sliced lettuce
    • Black olives
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Cabbage slaw
    • Fruit salsa
    • Guacamole
    • Sour cream or Crema
    • Lime wedges
    green cilantro salsa recipe with scallions close up in bowl

    Salsa not just for tacos!

    This refreshing onion cilantro salsa is not just for taco topping.

    I serve loads of this cilantro onion salsa on my Mexican Meatballs. Here are a few other ways to enjoy this great topping.

    • In a burrito
    • With Lime Rice like Chipotle restaurant
    • On top of enchiladas
    • Tossed into a Southwest salad
    • Sprinkled over grilled steak
    • On grilled chicken
    • Over nachos for a crowd
    Ingredients for cilantro salsa on a wood cutting board

    A fresh salsa recipe starring cilantro and green onions

    It's easy to make this great salsa for tacos. Cilantro is the star of this salsa and you can begin with that.

    Cilantro adds a fresh herb boost and the leaves add bulk to the salsa. This salsa isn't saucy or wet. The lime adds a little juice, but it's almost like pico de gallo as far as being a nice fresh topping without the sauce.

    Here are some helpful tips and instructions.

    • Wash and dry the cilantro. I use a salad spinner.

    Gather the cilantro together by the stems and start chopping from the leaves toward the stems. When you get to just the stems you can discard them. A few tender stems in the chopped mix will be great. There is a lot of flavor in tender cilantro stems.

    •Use the light green and dark green parts of the green onion or scallion, it's great to use everything in this cilantro onion salsa.

    • Seed the jalapeño and cut it with the skin side down on the cutting board.

    Get the seeds and white pith from the inside of the pepper out. The white pith isn't super tasty and the seeds add too much heat.

    Set the pieces of pepper on the cutting board with the skin side down. As you slice and dice, your knife will cut right through the pepper without sliding off the skin. No cut fingers here!

    Do you Remove the Stems when Using Cilantro?

    For this cilantro and onion salsa recipe, you do not need to remove the stems. The stems add a light and more delicate cilantro flavor and additional texture to the salsa or recipe when you add them. Other recipes just use the more robustly flavored leaves for a punch of flavor or to garnish a recipe.

    Can I Skip the Cilantro in Salsa?

    Cilantro can be overpowering and not everyone's favorite herb. If you want to change the cilantro in your salsa, try using parsley, Mexican oregano, or even fresh basil.

    📖 Recipe

    Cilantro and jalapeno salsa recipe close up in bowl

    Cilantro Salsa Recipe

    Tara Teaspoon
    The best onion and cilantro salsa with all the fresh flavors you want in one spoonful. Spicy jalapeño, green onions, lime, and cilantro make this fresh green salsa great for tacos, Mexican meatballs, nachos, or a Southwestern salad. Makes 2 cups
    5 from 23 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Side Dish
    Servings 2 cups

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ cups chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
    • ¾ cup finely sliced scallions, white and green parts
    • ⅓ cup finely diced, seeded jalapeño
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl combine all ingredients and stir to combine. Use immediately.

    Notes

    Nutrition is for the full recipe amount.
    Reduce the amount of jalapeño if you want a mild salsa. 
    This salsa can be prepped ahead. Keep all the ingredients separate until ready to assemble and serve. 
    Try my other salsa recipes:
    • Colorful Mango Salsa
    • Caper and Herb Salsa (great with fish or steak)
    • 15 Mind-Blowing Fruit Salsa Recipes

    Nutrition

    Calories: 23kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1175mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1345IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Recipe and food styling Tara Teaspoon. Photography Darianne Edwards.

    Comments

      5 from 23 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    1. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      May 04, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      This salsa sounds absolutely PERFECT for tacos! We will definitely be enjoying this on taco nights.

      Reply
    2. Jersey Girl Cooks says

      May 04, 2021 at 1:18 pm

      Great flavors in this salsa recipe! I can put it on everything!

      Reply
    3. Patrice says

      July 03, 2023 at 5:18 pm

      Excited to have a great salsa recipe without oil or tomatoes! I cant eat tomatoes. I am going to try mixed in hummus as well as with avocado!! Thank you

      Reply
      • Tara Teaspoon says

        July 14, 2023 at 9:35 am

        Keep me posted on how it goes with the hummus, I'd love to hear back from you.

        Tara

        Reply
    4. Emma Tee says

      January 21, 2025 at 4:25 pm

      Came out perfect!

      Reply
      • Tara Teaspoon says

        January 24, 2025 at 1:02 pm

        So glad to hear it!!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

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