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Salsa Verde o Roja Cruda

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Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou

“What’s the ideal way to use up a looooot of leftovers?” wonders Rick Martinez. “Tacos—which you can make out of just about anything as long as you have a highly versatile salsa to pull it all together (even when it means week-old fried rice or a few surplus meatballs).” And this standby recipe, using peak-season tomatoes in the summer or tomatillos the rest of the year, is it. Plus, it lasts five days in the fridge or up to a month if you freeze it.

Ingredients

12 oz. tomatillos (about 8 medium), husks removed, rinsed, quartered, or 12 oz. tomatoes, cored, quartered
½ medium avocado (optional; for making salsa verde)
¼ medium white onion, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove
1 serrano chile, coarsely chopped
¼ cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
1–2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (optional; for making salsa roja)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    If making salsa verde, blend tomatillos, avocado, onion, garlic, chile, cilantro, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a blender on medium-low speed until salsa is smooth. Taste and season with more salt if needed. (Do not blend on higher than medium speed or your salsa will be airy and taste like a smoothie.)

    Step 2

    If making salsa roja, blend tomatoes, onion, garlic, chile, cilantro, 1 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a blender on medium-low speed until salsa is smooth. Taste and season with more salt and lime juice if needed.

    Step 3

    Do ahead: Salsa can be made 2 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

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