Is Salsa Gluten Free?

Ever wonder "is salsa gluten free"? If you're new to gluten free living after a recent celiac disease diagnosis, just following a gluten-free diet, or just curious, we are here to cover everything you need to know about salsa and provide you with a safe and delicious gluten free salsa recipe.

So, let's get down to business, in general, yes, salsa is a naturally gluten free. However, there can be a caveat to this. Most brands make salsa without gluten containing ingredients, however, there are occasions where cross-contamination can come into play.

If you're like me and you like a good Mexican food dinner with some of the best popular Mexican condiment around, you'll love this salsa verde recipe! Plus we have a few other Mexican themed food to enjoy alongside your salsa that I want to share with you later in this post.

If you're ever worried about having a gluten free salsa or just want to make your own Salsa Verde, try this easy recipe we have here for you!

Why You'll Love This Salsa Recipe

• This salsa verde is so versatile and can go on anything
• It's made with fresh ingredients
• Different than the traditional red salsa with fresh tomatoes
• It's a wonderful balance fo flavors and the texture is incredible- not too watery or too chunky
• This salsa recipe is fairly quick, it only takes a total of 30 minutes to whip it up from start to finish

Ingredients Needed

• Tomatillos- Paper husk removed and cleaned
• Large Anaheim Peppers
• Large Garlic Cloves- with skin still on
• Medium Yellow onion
• Lime Juice- Fresh lime juice is best
• Salt
• Pepper

How to Make Salsa Verde

1. Move the oven rack to the second to the top position and set the oven to broil.
2. Place the tomatillos on a baking sheet and broil until they are charred on the top, then shake the baking sheet or use a spatula to turn the tomatillos and char the other side. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
3. On another baking sheet place the Anaheim peppers and garlic cloves. The peppers take longer to char, so you'll char the garlic, on both sides and remove the garlic before the peppers are done being charred. Once the peppers are charred on all sides remove them from the oven and set aside to cool
4. While the charred ingredients are cooling bring out your food processor or blender and set it up.
5. When they are cool enough to handle. remove the skin from the peppers and garlic and discard. Cut the peppers open to remove the seeds (you may keep the seeds if you want a spicier Salsa Verde). 
6. In small batches blend the ingredients together until you get your desired consistency. Mix all blended batches together to ensure even distribution of ingredients. Salsa Verde is ready to be used or stored for future use.

Storage

The best option for storing homemade salsa is to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

What to Serve with Salsa

Of course, you can serve your favorite gluten free tortilla chips and a nice side of salsa. Plus, here are a few more dishes to enjoy with some salsa:

• Queso Fundido with Chorizo
• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• On some gluten free nachos with jalapeno peppers
• Tacos
• Enchiladas
• Scrambled eggs
• Gluten Free Eggs Benedict
• Omelettes
• Salad dressing or on top of a taco salad or other yummy side salad
• Serve some tomato salsa with this salsa verde so anybody can choose between the two

What Salsa Can I Buy?

If you are on the way to the grocery store and need a gluten free salsa to pickup when you don't have time to make any homemade salsa recipes, try any of these gluten free salsa brands and their various gluten free salsa flavors:

• Tostitos Salsa
• On the Border Salsa
• Pace Salsas
• Newman’s own salsa

Remember if buying salsa, always check the ingredient label. There can be some risk of cross contamination, specifically with white vinegar as some white vinegar can be derived from wheat or barley, leaving some salsa to have very trace, small amounts of gluten.

When in doubt, check for a certified gluten free emblem or wording on your product label. Or, just make your own homemade fresh salsa using this recipe!

Tips and Variations

• Getting the texture of your homemade salsa correct is extremely crucial. If your salsa is too watery, it can just taste like tomato juice or tomatillos juice, or if it's too chunky, you might as well just be eating diced fresh vegetables or something like a fresh diced pico de gallo.
• Want more flavor? Add some fresh cilantro.
• As always, check the labels of your items, especially if they are not specifically labeled as gluten free products.
• Always use a sharp knife when cutting any of your ingredients.

So, to sum it all up again and to answer your question, "Is salsa gluten free", generally, yes, salsa is made with gluten free ingredients. But, yes, there is always a need to check labels, just to be sure there is no cross contamination issues or that any small traces of gluten may be hiding in your favorite table dip.

And, if you want to avoid those issues and worries altogether, just make your own homemade salsa verde following this incredibly simple recipe that can be ready and on your dinner table in only 30 minutes!

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