BEST Salsa Taquera Recipe (Taqueria Style Salsa Roja)

Do you ever wish your favorite taco shops would give you their secret salsa taquera recipe? Wish no more because with my easy recipe you’ll always have a delicious and spicy taco salsa. 

What is Salsa Taquera? 

Salsa taquera translates to salsa for tacos. 

Other Spanish names this red salsa may be called are “salsa taquera roja” or “salsa de chile de arbol”.  They all refer to the same salsa. 

In English you may have heard it called “taqueria-style salsa”. 

This salsa roja is a staple of Mexican cuisine and also always served at taco stands and shops. Many sit down restaurants also serve it – specially with carne asada or other grilled meat dishes. 

There are a few variations for making salsa taquera, and all of the versions are incredibly flavorful and easy to make.

Traditionally taqueria salsa is made with tomatoes, chiles de arbol, onion, and garlic. Some people like to also add tomatillos to enhances the flavors. I love adding the tomatillos, but occasionally make it without them. 

Amigos, you all know that homemade salsas are a million times better than store-bought.

So keep readying to learn the simple secrets of scrumptious homemade salsa taquera and get ready to drizzle it over all your favorite Mexican dishes, not just tacos! 

Salsa Taquera Ingredients

My taqueria-style salsa recipe uses clean and simple ingredients that pack a punch.

You should be able to find these ingredients just about anywhere. For the chile peppers I will include a link to Amazon just in case. (I do earn a small commission from Amazon, just so you know.)

• Arbol Chili Peppers: These are small dried red chiles that are quite spicy, yet so flavorful. They are quite popular in the cuisine of Central Mexico. At the grocery store you will see them labeled as chile de árbol chile, or arbol chilis.

• Roma Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy tomatoes are a common ingredient in Mexican cooking and in salsas. They lend a touch of sweetness and umami flavor. Sometimes they are called plum tomatoes. 

• Tomatillos: You have already used these green tomatoes when making salsa verde. They are easily found at the grocery store alongside other fresh vegetables.

• White Onion: It adds a sharp flavor and combines perfectly with the other ingredients.

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic adds a nice pop of flavor.
• Salt: To help bring out all of the delicious taste.
• Oil: To lightly fry the salsa. I use olive oil but you can also use corn or favorite vegetable oil. 

Ingredient Substitutions

With a short list of ingredients in this chile de arbol salsa, there isn’t really a need for substitutions because it would change the texture and taste of this authentic Mexican taco sauce recipe. 

But here are a couple you could make when you find yourself in a very tough bind.

If you don’t have white onion then you can use yellow onion.

For the chiles de árbol if you absolutely can’t get them then you could try these different chiles: dried whole cayenne peppers or pequin chile. 

I wouldn’t recommend using canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. If you do, the flavor will not be like that salsa from your favorite taqueria that you love so much.

As previously mentioned, not everyone adds tomatillos so you can omit them. Just know that the salsa will have more of an orange color. 

How to Make Mexican Salsa Taquera

Amigos the cooking steps for this, and so many other authentic salsa recipes, couldn’t be easier!

The secret to the best taqueria-style salsa is to roast the vegetables and chile. This helps bring out amazing flavors.

Ok let’s take it step-by-step.

Step 1: Place the tomatoes, tomatillos, onion, and garlic cloves on a hot comal or griddle. Allow to char and roast evenly on all sides, making sure to flip now and then. 

Step 2: Carefully remove the garlic cloves as soon as they begin to char. Then remove the other vegetables as soon as they’re ready.

Step 3: Add the chile de arbol to the comal and toast just for a minute or two. Then remove. 

Step 4: Place the roasted ingredients into a high-powered blender cup and blend until you have a smooth thick consistency. Sprinkle in salt to your own taste and blend again. 

Is Salsa Taquera Spicy?

Yes it is!

Arbol chiles pack quite the heat. They are much spicier than a jalapeno pepper and as far as dried Mexican chiles go, they are nothing like a mild guajillo chili.

But don’t worry because this salsa isn’t just about the heat, there’s lots of flavors from the other ingredients. 

What It Tastes Like

Salsa taquera has a slight smokiness to it from roasting the arbol chiles and the veggies. 

While this is a very spicy salsa (specially if it’s your first time eating it) it’s not all heat. You can still taste the touches of sweetness both from the roasted tomato and onion. 

This flavorful and easy to make salsa will transform ordinary tacos into the best tacos! 

How to Serve Salsa Taquera

As the name suggests, this taqueria style salsa goes particularly delicious over tacos dorados. Before going meatless I loved to drizzle it over beef tacos and al pastor tacos with a squeeze of lime juice.

You can serve it with any of your meat-free favorite tacos and it’s amazing over grilled veggies and tofu tacos or fajitas.

Occasionally when I make my vegan birria tacos and have salsa taquera I will drizzle it over the cheesy birria tacos. It gives them a different touch that’s quite pleasant.

Of course let’s now forget that all salsas go perfectly with tortilla chips as an appetizer.  

How to Store

Store salsa leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for about 5 days – that’s if you don’t eat it all before then.

Yes you can freeze salsa taquera. Just pour into a freezer-safe container. It will keep fresh in the freezer for about 3 months. 

To defrost let it sit in the fridge overnight or on the counter until defrosted. Give it a quick stir and serve like normal.

Try These Other Salsa Recipes

Do check out these other authentic salsa recipes. They range from mild to spicy so there’s something for everyone.

• Milder Tomato Chile de Arbol Salsa
• Molcajete Salsa Recipe: This recipe uses serrano peppers or jalapeños.
• The EASIEST Salsa Verde: For this green salsa you can also use either serranos or jalapenos. 
• Pico de Gallo Salsa: A fresh and chunky salsa where you can use any chile pepper you’d like. 
• Fresh Tomato Salsa without cilantro.
• Red Enchiladas Salsa: Mild sauce made with guajillo peppers.