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Hatch Chile Salsa Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Hatch Chile Salsa Recipe

I first fell in love with hatch chiles at a backyard cookout, and I honestly couldn't stop dipping chips into this salsa. I made a batch for a party not long ago, and it vanished before I even finished plating the pulled pork tacos I'd planned to serve it with.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 fresh hatch chile peppers – the star of the recipe; look for firm glossy skins with no soft spots
  • 4 medium heirloom tomatoes – bring natural sweetness and body to the salsa
  • 1 medium white onion – adds a mellow savory backbone once roasted
  • 4 cloves garlic unpeeled – roasting mellows the sharpness into something rich and nutty
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice – brightens the whole salsa; skip the bottled stuff if you can
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped – use fresh leaves only, dried cilantro won't give the same punch
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste – season gradually and taste as you go
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil – helps everything roast evenly without sticking

Method
 

  1. Slice your hatch chiles and tomatoes in half lengthwise, then scoop out the pepper seeds if you want a milder salsa. Cut the onion into large chunks so it roasts without turning mushy. Leave the garlic cloves in their skins for now, since roasting them whole keeps them from burning.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F and arrange the peppers, tomatoes, onion, and garlic cut-side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle everything lightly with olive oil so the skins char nicely instead of drying out. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until the pepper skins are blistered and blackened in spots.
  3. Once out of the oven, let everything rest for about 10 minutes until it's cool enough to handle safely. Peel the charred skins off the hatch chiles and tomatoes, then discard them, since this step is what gives the salsa its silky texture. Squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their papery skins directly into your food processor.
  4. Add the roasted peppers, tomatoes, onion, and garlic into the food processor along with the lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Pulse a few times for a chunkier texture, or blend longer if you prefer a smoother, restaurant-style salsa. Taste and adjust the salt or lime as needed before moving on.
  5. Transfer the salsa into a covered bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This resting time lets the smoky, roasted flavors fully develop and meld together. Serve it cold or at room temperature alongside your favorite dish.

Notes

  • I always roast my peppers a little longer than the recipe says if I want extra smoky depth, since a deeper char means better flavor.
  • I like to use a mix of medium and hot hatch chiles when I want more of a kick without overpowering the tomatoes.
  • I never skip the resting time in the fridge, because the salsa genuinely tastes better once the flavors have had a chance to sit.
  • I taste as I go and add lime juice in small splashes, since it's much easier to add more than to fix an overly tart batch.
  • I keep a few extra roasted chiles on hand in the freezer so I can whip up a second batch without starting from scratch.