Search for:
Salsa

How do you thicken salsa? I love the taste just wish it wasnt as “watery”


How do you thicken salsa? I love the taste just wish it wasnt as “watery”

by Krd167

38 Comments

  1. Homemade

    Diced tomatos
    Cumin
    Habaneros
    Jalapenos
    Onion
    Salt
    Sugar
    Lime

  2. fkdkshufidsgdsk

    What kind of tomatoes did you use? I find plum (Roma) tonatoes are the best for salsa because of their lower water content

  3. Dogz-Nine

    Cook it down? It may affect the flavour though so you could just try with a small amount at first.
    If you do cook it down you could do 1 teaspoon corn flour and a dash of water in a cup make a sludge with it and add it to the pot/pan for quicker results.

  4. [deleted]

    I used a pasta strainer to separate the vegetables from the liquid then added back the liquid slowly until you get desired thickness

  5. DoritoOnRepeatTho

    Try cooking your tomatoes longer so that the water evaporates before combining ingredients. My salsa is always too watery when I’m in a rush and don’t let them cook long enough.

  6. nemo300blk

    Pasta strainer. I do this to my favorite store bought salsa as well.

  7. jibaro1953

    As mentioned, desired the tomatoes by cutting them on the equator, squeeze gently with one hand while scooping seeds out with your finger.

    Dice to desired size, put them in a bowl, and stir in some salt.

    Let them sit for 20 minutes, then plop them in a strainer for a while.

    Them make your salsa.

  8. [deleted]

    Deseed tomatoes as other say – I also find that used smoked or dried peppers solo or in addition too seem to make salsa’s more creamy

  9. CrispyBeefTaco

    Try letting it simmer in the pot. Mix here and there until you have the consistency wanted.

  10. I would suggest making sure you deseed and drain the tomatoes, thats where most of your wateryness is coming from.

  11. CKtheFourth

    Put cheese cloth in a bowl, and put the salsa on the cloth. You might have to suspend it or *gently* press on it a little but you should get the consistency you want. Might take a little bit, but it should work. And if it’s too dry, you can always stir the salsa brine back in after it’s strained out, so don’t discard it right away.

    For the future, when you’re prepping tomatoes, use the rind only. Treat them like a bell pepper & discard the seeds—that’s where a lot of excess water in tomatoes comes from. Also make sure any herb you use is dried thoroughly, since water on cilantro or parsley can make its way into the final product.

  12. Ok, thanks everyone for their responses! Seems like deseeding the tomatoes and straining it are the keys, along with potentially changing tomato type and maybe cooking down longer (already do that for an hour or two).

  13. Perviking

    Tomato paste can help. But straining will also do the trick.

  14. wildriverpig

    I never add water to my salsa because I hate this too!!

  15. FishSn0rt

    If you only want to thicken it a little bit I have used xantham gum before and it worked well. Did this a while back when I was doing keto diet so I had lots of that laying around. Just be careful, if you add too much it will get a ‘booger-y’ consistency to it. Good luck!

  16. HaydenScramble

    Salsa is best after it sits in the fridge for me. Usually overnight, that way it gives everything time to marry and settle down. I find it usually results in a thicker consistency.

  17. [deleted]

    Cut your tomatoes in half and give ‘em a squeeze like a lemon before you dice them. Easiest way to remove excess water and seeds! It feels so wrong, but it’s the way.

  18. Warbird1775

    Halving my onion made a huge difference for me

  19. phone_of_pork

    You could add a tiny bit of pectin. It’s natural in tomatoes anyway, just not enough for what you’re looking for. When I make roasted salsas using cherry toms which naturally are higher in pectin the salsa comes together super thick.

  20. justacpa

    You could add some roasted tomatillos. They have natural pectin in them that acts as a natural thickener.

  21. Toss the salsa on the stove and simmer to reduce

    I usually wait til it cools before adding cilantro and lime

  22. Use more tomato (whole). On a few occasions I’ve just used a ton of paper towels to soak up more liquid, (laid on top.) Or you could just put down a strainer and pour out the amount you wish making it less watery.

  23. BigPastaToni

    Why does no one on here ever recommend tomato paste?

  24. Straight_Focus2476

    Cheese clothe, let the salsa settle then lay the clothe down over the salsa and push a ladle down till it fills with liquid and transfer to a jar. Use the liquid as a tomatoe drink or bloody mary mix

  25. troublesomefaux

    I’d drain it over a cup and use the liquid to make a cocktail.

  26. Cygnus__A

    Mine always comes out TOO thick. Maybe we need to trade recipes?

  27. LOUDPACK_MASTERCHEF

    your salsa looks super thick already tbh. Is it underseasoned? Try adding salt? Alternatively, and this will affect the taste, but if you really want it thicker you can cook it for a while so some water boils out

  28. zerostar_

    Heat oil in a pan and toss that bad boy in. Reduce until you love it. Reseason w/salt and acid (and any fresh herbs you used) (I like a bit of raw onion in mine) chill overnight. Taste. Live well. live mas.

  29. oldmanartie

    Deseed, salt, and strain for fresh salsas. If you’re canning it use a food mill to remove skins and seeds and then cook it down to desired consistency.

  30. Majestic_Disk5993

    Let it reduce tomato has a lot of water so if you let it evaporate you will be good

  31. 5byz5grls

    Someone probably already said this but…. I just leave mine in the fridge overnight and the tomatoes naturally “thicken” up the salsa-ime

  32. JakobWit_AK

    I made my first salsa today and was afraid it would be too watery. Did you bake your veggies before chopping/blending? Did you possibly blend too long?

Write A Comment