Green Tomatillo Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Bright, tangy and packed with flavor, this easy green tomatillo sauce (salsa verde) comes together in under 30 minutes. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this Mexican green sauce is perfect for tacos, enchiladas and more.
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Deliciously Flavorful Tomatillo Sauce (Salsa Verde)
If you like your food with plenty of taste and flavor, then you’ll definitely want to keep this green tomatillo sauce handy.
Tomatillos are small, round fruits that come in a papery husk and originate in Mexico, where they are a staple in Mexican cooking, particularly in salsa verde (which literally translates to ‘green sauce’). While they may look like baby green tomatoes, tomatillos are not the same.
And this tomatillo salsa verde, which is bright and zesty and tangy, can be spread and eaten with your favorite Mexican dishes – alongside tortilla chips, as a topping in tacos, burritos and enchiladas, or drizzled over quesadillas or a burrito bowl.
You can also spread this Mexican green sauce over grilled meats, fish and literally anything that needs a little spicing up!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: The small handful of ingredients you’ll need for this green tomatillo salsa verde are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: This flavorful tomatillo salsa comes together in under 30 minutes – just roast, blend and enjoy!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this homemade salsa verde is 100% gluten-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a gluten-free or vegan diet can enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this roasted tomatillo sauce.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Tomatillos: Make sure to use green tomatillos, which are tart, zesty and best for savory recipes. In this case, the green tomatillos will ensure you get a green sauce (also known as ‘salsa verde‘).
- Serrano Pepper: I used a single serrano pepper to impart a bit of heat. If you like more heat, feel free to use a couple of serrano peppers. However, if you want to tone the heat down a little, you can swap it out with a jalapeño pepper instead.
- Garlic: Raw garlic adds a beautiful flavor to this tomatillo salsa verde, so definitely make sure to add it in.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is also another key ingredients in tomatillo salsa verde, so make sure to add it in.
- Onion: I used a white onion, but a yellow onion or red onion will work too.
- Lime Juice: Lime juice adds a nice tart flavor to this tomatillo green sauce, and balances out the heat from the pepper, so definitely make sure to add it in.
- Cumin: The ground cumin adds a subtle, earthy tone to this tomatillo salsa verde, but if you’re not a fan of cumin, feel free to leave it out.
How to Make Green Tomatillo Sauce:
Rinse Tomatillos & Place on Baking Sheet: Rinse and dry the tomatillos. Once the tomatillos are dry, distribute them evenly on a baking sheet with the serrano pepper.
Roast Until Ready: Roast the tomatillos and serrano pepper in the preheated oven at 425F for 17 minutes. Tomatillos are done when they start to brown on top.
Transfer to Blender: Remove the tomatillos from the oven, and transfer the tomatillos and serrano pepper into a high-speed blender or food processor.
Add Other Ingredients: Add the cilantro, onion, garlic, lime juice, cumin, and salt to the blender or food processor.
Blend Until Smooth: Blend the ingredients together until you get a homogeneous green sauce. Taste the salsa verde and add extra salt if needed.
Serve & Enjoy: Serve the tomatillo salsa verde with homemade tortilla chips.
Dish by Dish Tips:
- Storing: To store, place this green tomatillo sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Make it Creamier: If you want a creamier tomatillo sauce, feel free to add in a bit of fresh avocado before blending.
- Make it Thinner: For a thinner sauce, add 1 tablespoon of filtered water at a time until you get the desired consistency.
Other Gluten-Free Sauces You’ll Enjoy:
Other Mexican Recipes to Make:
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Green Tomatillo Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 oz 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
Bright, tangy and packed with flavor, this easy green tomatillo sauce (salsa verde) comes together in under 30 minutes. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this Mexican green sauce is perfect for tacos, enchiladas and more.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh tomatillos, husks removed
- 1 serrano pepper, stem removed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/3 cup diced white onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from 1 medium lime)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Preheat & Line: Preheat your oven to 425F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
- Rinse Tomatillos & Place on Baking Sheet: Rinse and dry the tomatillos. Once the tomatillos are dry, distribute them evenly on a baking sheet with the serrano pepper.
- Roast Until Ready: Roast the tomatillos and serrano pepper in the oven for 17 minutes. Tomatillos are done when they start to brown on top.
- Transfer to Blender: Remove the tomatillos from the oven, and transfer the tomatillos and serrano pepper into a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Add Other Ingredients: Add the cilantro, onion, garlic, lime juice, cumin, and salt to the blender or food processor and pulse them until it is well blended and the consistency you desire.
- Add Salt to Taste: Taste your salsa and add extra salt if needed.
Notes
Tomatillos: Make sure to use green tomatillos, which are tart, zesty and best for savory recipes. In this case, the green tomatillos will ensure you get a green sauce (also known as ‘salsa verde‘).
Serrano Pepper: I used a serrano pepper to impart a bit of heat. However, if you want to tone the heat down a little, you can swap it out with a jalapeño pepper instead.
Garlic: Raw garlic adds a beautiful flavor to this tomatillo salsa verde, so definitely make sure to add it in.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is also another key ingredients in tomatillo sauce, so make sure to add it in.
Onion: I used a white onion, but a yellow onion or red onion will work too.
Lime Juice: Lime juice adds a nice tart flavor to this tomatillo green sauce, and balances out the heat from the pepper, so definitely make sure to add it in.
Cumin: The ground cumin adds a subtle, earthy tone to this tomatillo salsa verde, but if you’re not a fan of cumin, feel free to leave it out.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Blender, Roasting
- Cuisine: Mexican
