I knew only jarred salsa until I was well into my teens. It never occurred to me that salsa could be made with fresh ingredients. What a revelation!
Still, while fresh salsa is great, it’s not what I have the energy to conjure up most of the time. That’s why a jar of salsa continues to be a staple in my fridge … until recently.
I discovered a salsa that’s neither in a jar or a refrigerated tub. It’s convenient, it’s cheap, and best of all, it’s the best salsa I’ve ever purchased.
Why I Love Canned Salsa Casera
My boyfriend grew up in Southern California and has a deeper knowledge of Mexican grocery products that I do. He always has a few little cans of Herdez Salsa Casera on hand to crack open for chips, bowls, and burritos. The first time I had it, I was shocked at how colorful and tasty it was. Unlike the sludge that passes for most jarred salsa, Herdez Salsa Casera has a surprising freshness, with identifiable chunks of white onion and tomato. It’s almost like pico de gallo.
These seven-ounce cans are tucked away in the Latin section of grocery stores and, at least in my store, not shelved with the other salsas. They’re totally cute and worth stocking up on, especially because they’re only about $1.25 a can. I get mine at Kroger, though they’re available nationally. That’s less per ounce than most decent jarred salsas for a superior product.
Canned Herdez Salsa Casera is slightly inconvenient if you have leftovers, but I just transfer it to a half-pint jar. Problem solved. Besides, I usually don’t have leftovers, which eliminates the tragic issue of salsa that’s gone sour and fizzy in the fridge.
Read More: My Simple 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Salsa
Be careful when shopping, because Herdez makes jarred Salsa Casera, which I don’t like as much. Also, cans of Salsa Casera look a lot like another canned Herdez product, salsa ranchera, which is like a cross between classic salsa and red enchilada sauce. Salsa ranchera is great, too, but it’s markedly different. (Simply Recipes editor Laurel Randolph is a fan).
Credit: Simply Recipes / Herdez
How I Serve Salsa Casera
Honestly, the way I use this salsa the most is with takeout burritos from Chipotle or Qdoba. Big fat burritos have become our default “too tired to care” dinners, and I really do prefer the Herdez Salsa Casera to any salsa that fast-casual burrito joints have on offer. It’s also excellent with chips or on top of a burrito bowl, something I do manage to make at home.
Canned Herdez Salsa Casera comes in hot, medium, and mild. Try making the switch. I bet no one will ever guess it came from a can!
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