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As I raise my salt-cured fingertips to my lips, all I can ask myself is: Was it worth it? After three short days and 15 jars once filled with salsa, all I could think was: Yes. A thousand times, yes.
With my little black notebook, an emotional-support water bottle, and an arsenal of chips, I powered through 15 jars of grocery store salsa to get both myself and my readers outside our comfort zones with some less frequently chosen flavors and brands to discover the salsas that spoke to me.
Best Smooth Salsa Not everyone is a chunky salsa fan. For those that prefer a jar full of salsa with a smoother texture, our Test Kitchen recommends Late July Organic Salsa. This vibrant red salsa is incredibly appealing with a very tomato-forward flavor.
Special Thanks to These Chips:
- Mi Nina Pico de Gallo Tortilla Chips
- Late July Sea Salt Chips
- Xochitl Blue Corn Chips
- Tostitos Scoops! Tortilla Chips
- On the Border Cafe Style Tortilla Chips
- Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips
Dip chips in salsa, eat, take notes, repeat.
Not to sound like a snob, but I do not typically buy brand name, store bought salsa. How could they ever compare to the pints of fresh salsa I can buy at my local Mexican restaurant? Or something I can whip up at home with vegetables from the farmers market?
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But my snobbery was unwarranted and I should’ve realized that sooner. If you can have good jarred marinara sauce or tomato chutney, why can’t you have good salsa from the store? I’m now a store bought salsa convert and I’m here to impart the knowledge I gained during the taste tests we conducted for this ranking. Hopefully I can heal you of your store bought salsa snobbery, too. These are the best store bought salsa brands (including salsa verde, fruit salsa, and avocado salsa, along with the classic red!) that felt fresh, flavorful, and authentic.
The best store bought salsa can be so many different things. It can be smoky or fresh. It can be spicy or mild. It can come in a can or a jar.
Other Products We Tried: Sprouts Hot Salsa, Lucky Habanero Hot, Desert Pepper Hot, Casa Sanchez Hot, Patricia Quintana Authentic Mexican Roasted Tomato & Jalapeño Salsa, Green Mountain Gringo, O Organics, 365, La Mexicana Hot, Casa Martinez Habanero, Sprouts Medium, Sprouts Mild, Sprouts Hot, Private Reserve, Desert Pepper, Target Restaurant Style, Pace Hot, Target Medium, Target Mild, Walmart Medium, Mateo’s Medium, On the Border Mild, On the Border Cantina, Casa Sanchez Mild, Casa Sanchez Medium, Del Real
The BEST Mexican Restaurant SALSA ROJA Recipe (+ the secret ingredient)
FAQ
What brand of salsa is the mildest?
What is Mexico’s number one salsa brand?
What is the difference between cantina salsa and regular salsa?
What is the best classic salsa?
All the brands in the running for best classic salsa were, honestly, pretty abysmal. But among the sea of marinara-esque mush, Green Mountain Gringo was a beacon of light. The combination of fresh pasilla, jalapeño, and serrano peppers provide a base layer of vegetable-forward heat.
What is the best store-bought salsa?
The type of store-bought salsa you choose depends on your tastes. Green Mountain Gringo is sure to be a winner at any spice level. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, Nature’s Promise Organic Mild Salsa is tasty and affordable.
What is the most recognizable salsa?
We’d say this, along with Tostitos, is the most recognizable salsa. Ironically, the On the Border, in this case, Medium Chunky Salsa, seems to have a little identity crisis. What does it want to be, really? Spicy or sweet? Chunky or restaurant-style? Tomato-forward or a diverse blend of ingredients?
Is all salsa mild?
Let’s pretend that all salsa is mild for a minute. This is a sad scenario for sure, but if it were true, you’d have to really get into the weeds about each ingredient. Tomatoes, onions, and additional mix-ins like black beans or bell peppers: They would all have to be at their best. These are not.