A Hatch green chile salsa recipe is the perfect addition to your New Mexican dishes if you’re looking for a warm, spicy kick.
A Hatch Green Chile salsa recipe has the bold, smoky flavor of New Mexico. You can layer it over tacos, make a big batch to can and use all week, or enjoy it as a dip for your snacks. It can give you the spice you’ve been missing for a long time.
This great recipe has the perfect amount of heat and tang, bringing out the best flavor in roasted Hatch chiles. Using fresh ingredients and simple know-how, you can create a tasty salsa in just a few minutes.
Learn everything you should know about the Hatch Green Chile Salsa recipe in this article.
Key Takeaways:
- Using roasted Hatch green chiles brings a rich, smoky flavor to your salsa.
- The Hatch green chile salsa works well with tacos, eggs, burgers, and dips for tortilla chips.
- Making big batches of the salsa allows you to store it for future use from a week to a few months.
Get the Hatch chile you’ve been eyeing here!
Table of Contents
What Is Hatch Green Chile Salsa?
How to Make Hatch Green Chile Salsa
Pro Tips for Making the Best Hatch Green Chile Salsa
Flavor Variations To Try
Where to Buy Hatch Chile Peppers
What People Usually Ask
Bring the Spice From New Mexico to Your Kitchen
What Is Hatch Green Chile Salsa?
Hatch green chile salsa is a fresh salsa made from Hatch peppers, which in turn are special chile peppers grown in Hatch Valley, New Mexico. The medium heat and smoky, slightly sweet flavor of these peppers are perfect for creating salsa. Unlike the ordinary green chile salsa, the Hatch variants have a deep-roasted aroma that makes them unmistakable.
The Hatch green chile salsa is easy to prepare, adaptable, and versatile. When done, spoon it over your grilled chicken or fold it over your burritos for a tastier mealtime.
Here’s what makes Hatch green chile so special:
- The peppers have the right balance of heat, sweetness, and smokiness.
- The charred pepper skins emit a distinctive scent.
- The chiles are only harvested once a year.
Hatch Green Chile Salsa Ingredients
Use these simple ingredients for your homemade Hatch chile salsa recipe:
- 6 roasted Hatch green chiles (mild, medium, or hot, depending on your choice)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ white onion, diced
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ tsp salt to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 roasted tomatillos or one large tomato (optional, for variation)
- A pinch of ground cumin for a smokier taste (optional)
How Spicy Is the Hatch Chile Salsa?
The heat levels of your Hatch Chile Salsa really depend on the Hatch peppers. They can be mild, which is perfect for kids or those with light palates. The salsa can also have a medium heat, providing a more balanced and flavorful meal. But it can also be extra hot, ideal for spice lovers.
Controlling the Heat
Keep the salsa’s heat to your preferred level by removing seeds and membranes or by adding tomatoes or tomatillos. You can also add an extra jalapeño or more Hatch chiles to turn the heat up.
Best Ways to Use Hatch Green Chile Salsa
Try these creative uses of Hatch chile salsa to spice up your meals:
- A dip for veggie sticks and tortilla chips.
- Layer over quesadillas and burritos.
- Drizzle on breakfast burritos and eggs.
- Spread for burgers and sandwiches.
- Stirred into beans or rice.
- Marinade for pork, shrimp, or grilled chicken.
How to Make Hatch Green Chile Salsa
1. Roast and Peel Hatch Chiles
Preheat the oven to 230°C before anything else. Put fresh Hatch chiles on a baking sheet and roast them for 5-6 minutes on each side. Turn them halfway through until they’re charred and blistered.
Put the chiles in a bowl. Cover for a few minutes to let out steam. Peel off the pepper skins once they’re cool.
Pro Tip: Grill the chiles for a smokier flavor!
2. Mix the Aromatics
Combine the cilantro, garlic, and onion in a bowl. Add diced jalapeño for an extra zing.
3. Blend the Salsa
Combine the roasted, peeled, and seeded Hatch chiles, the aromatics, lime juice, olive oil, and tomatoes in a food processor or blender. Blend them to your desired consistency. Add salt, cumin, or white vinegar to taste and blend it again for a few seconds.
The mixture should be smooth for a dip and chunky for tacos.
4. Rest and Serve
Allow the salsa to rest for half an hour for the flavors to blend thoroughly before serving.
Additional Tips:
- Use gloves when handling hot chiles.
- Add water if the mixture is too thick.
- Let it chill in your fridge so the flavors settle well.
Ready to spice up your meals? Get a jar of our Hatch chile now!
Pro Tips for Making the Best Hatch Green Chile Salsa
Apply these to your salsa-making sessions:
1. Use freshly roasted chiles
The key to getting that authentic, spicy flavor in your salsa is using roasted Hatch chiles. These peppers contain a smoky depth that no canned version can match. The charred pepper skins carry the signature New Mexico taste.
2. Make extra
This recipe doubles fast. If you want to use it for a long time, make a large batch and can or freeze a huge bulk of it.
Store the salsa properly so you can use it for up to a week in the fridge or three months in the freezer. Label the jars by heat level so you won’t accidentally use the wrong salsa heat level.
3. Use yellow onions
Let’s say you want a sweet flavor along with the spice. You can use yellow onions for a sweeter and milder flavor.
4. Don’t over-blend
If you prefer your salsa’s texture, pulse your food processor to keep it slightly chunky, allowing you to appreciate the roasted bits of onion and Hatch chiles for a more flavorful and homemade feel.
Flavor Variations To Try
Give your green chile salsa a whole new twist with these upgrades:
- Roasted tomatillos: For a tangy green salsa verde.
- Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes add a classic red chile touch to your salsa.
- Shallots: Instead of garlic, use them for a milder and more sophisticated aroma.
- Orange juice: Adds sweetness and depth to the salsa.
- Avocado: Adding half an avocado to your chile salsa can make it creamy.
Mix these ingredients tailored to your taste and desired level of heat.
Where to Buy Hatch Chile Peppers
If you want to taste the Hatch chile flavor, you need to know where to buy them. These New Mexican peppers are seasonal and highly regarded for their smokiness and heat.
The good news is that you can buy them from these trusted suppliers:
- Fresh Chile Company (Highly Recommended)
The Fresh Chile Company, based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers authentic mild, medium, and hot Hatch chiles. Order them fresh during harvest season or buy them online in roasted, jarred, or frozen varieties.
- Local farmers’ markets
During late summer, specifically August to September, local markets sell Hatch chiles imported from New Mexico. Visit them and buy the amount you need.
- Specialty grocery stores
Some regional groceries can carry Hatch chile products during the harvest months. Try visiting one when you have time during harvest season.
For the best flavor and the most reliable quality, the Fresh Chile Company is a great place to shop for Hatch chiles.
What People Usually Ask
How does Hatch chile salsa differ from regular green salsa?
Hatch chile salsa uses Hatch chile peppers grown exclusively in Hatch Valley, New Mexico. These peppers are richer and smokier than the usual green chile varieties.
Is it okay to use canned Hatch chiles?
Yes! For the best flavor and texture, use fresh Hatch chiles or high-quality frozen-roasted chiles, such as those from Fresh Chile Company.
How long does my homemade green chile last?
It lasts up to one week in the fridge or three months frozen.
Is Hatch green chile salsa spicy?
It depends on your preference! You can choose from mild, medium heat, or extra hot Hatch chiles.
Can I use the salsa for canning?
Yes, but you should add enough white vinegar or lemon juice and follow proper USDA canning guidelines for everyone’s safety. Pressure canning is required for low-acid food.
Bring the Spice From New Mexico to Your Kitchen
The Hatch Green Chile Salsa recipe embodies all the elements that make New Mexico cuisine iconic—the bright lime juice, fresh cilantro, and, most especially, the smoky, roasted chiles. Use the salsa to spice up your meals or amaze your guests at your next cooking session.
Don’t miss out on the authentic Hatch green chile experience right at your fingertips. Get your Hatch chiles from Fresh Chile Company to taste the spicy, aromatic kick that leaves your taste buds wanting more!