• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Sassy Foodie
  • Game Day
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Game Day
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Game Day
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×

The Sassy Foodie » Recipes » Appetizers

Roasted Tomato Salsa {Qdoba Copycat}

Published: Jul 20, 2022 by Sunena Anand · This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission from sales. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

  • Share
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This roasted tomato salsa is a copycat recipe for the infamous Qdoba salsa. All it takes are several simple ingredients to create the best restaurant-style salsa (and crispy tortilla chips on the side)! This salsa goes perfectly with Qdoba chipotle lime chicken, and spicy Mexican rice. Can’t get enough spicy salsa in your life? Check out this chile corn salsa recipe too!

Roasted Tomato Salsa in a bowl and on a silver spoon next to too tortilla chips and cut limes
Jump to:
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions
  • Variation
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Make Ahead & Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Salsa Recipes
  • Roasted Tomato Salsa {Qdoba Copycat}
  • 💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

  • Quick, Easy, Delicious: This homemade salsa couldn’t be more simple to make. Make this for your next party and it will be your friends and family’s favorite salsa in no time!
  • Sweet yet savory taste: The lime juice paired with the fresh cilantro and charred tomatoes go hand in hand to create a unique flavor you won't soon forget!
  • Vegetarian and vegan-friendly: Given this recipe contains no animal-derived ingredients, this is perfect for meat-free and planted-based individuals.

Ingredients

Photo of Roasted Tomato Salsa ingredients: roma tomatoes, fresh cilantro, fresh garlic, fresh lime, sweet onion, jalapeno pepper on a silver baking tray
  • Roma tomatoes - Choosing these tomatoes are best because they are not very seedy and they're great for roasting.
  • Sweet onion - The best thing about sweet onions are that they caramelize nicely and remain sweet when roasted.
  • Chipotle peppers - These peppers add a smoky flavor, a little bit of spice, and savory notes with adobo sauce.

A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.

Substitutions

  • Red onion: Instead of sweet onion, you can substitute for red onion and it will still maintain the same depth of flavor.
  • Hot house or vine ripe tomatoes: You can use other tomatoes but unlike roma, they may contain more seeds.

Variation

  • Cilantro-free: If you don't like cilantro (kind of like me) make a version of this salsa without it! It is just as good, and still full of flavor.
  • Extra spicy: Instead of jalapeño peppers, use habanero or a serrano pepper for an extra bit of spice in this salsa.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Work Before Cooking

Collecting all your ingredients - This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby. 

Preheat oven - Turn oven onto the highest broil setting.

Step by step photos to make Roasted Tomato Salsa

Arrange the tomatoes, onion and garlic on a sheet tray, cut-side down. Drizzle with some olive oil. Broil the vegetables until charred, for 15-20 minutes. [photo 1]

Once the vegetables are charred, remove from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes, or until room temperature. [photo 2]

Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor, with the remaining ingredients. [photo 3]

Pulse until you have the desired consistency, and serve. [photo 4]

Expert Tip

Do not be shy with charring the vegetables! The brown bits and charred skin add flavor to the salsa. You may feel nervous that you are burning the vegetables—don’t worry!


Adjust the spice to your liking! If the spice level is not your thing, feel free to omit the jalapeño from the salsa. I highly recommend keeping the chipotle in the salsa, for the smokey flavor.

Make Ahead & Storage

Make Ahead Instructions

  • You can make this salsa up to 1 day in advance.
  • Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated to maintain the freshness of the salsa.

Storing Leftovers

  • If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container
  • If kept stored in the fridge, it can last up to five days.
Close up photo of Roasted Tomato Salsa in a bowl and on a spoon

Recipe FAQs

How do you roast tomatoes for salsa?

As you can see in the instructions above or in the following recipe card, my personal preference for this tomato salsa is broil until charred. However, you can also char them whole on a cast iron skillet, or even on a gas grill.

More Salsa Recipes

  • Chile Corn Salsa {Qdoba Copycat}
  • Fresh Tomato Salsa {Chipotle Copycat}
  • Salsa Ranch Dressing & Dip

Looking for more meal inspiration? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly recipe roundups, straight to your inbox! Follow us on our socials, on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook! If you try one of our recipes, let us know how it was by rating and commenting!

Roasted Tomato Salsa {Qdoba Copycat}

This roasted tomato salsa is a copycat recipe for the infamous Qdoba salsa. All it takes are several simple ingredients to create the best restaurant-style salsa (and crispy tortilla chips on the side)!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Estimated Calories: 36kcal
Author: Sunena Anand

Ingredients

  • 4 Roma tomatoes halved
  • 1 Sweet onion quartered
  • 4 cloves Garlic whole
  • 1 Jalapeño pepper halved
  • 1 Chipotle pepper in adobo
  • 1 Lime juiced
  • ½ cup Cilantro
  • Salt to taste

Equipment

  • Sheet tray
  • Food processor

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven on the highest broil setting.
  • Arrange the tomatoes, onion and garlic on a sheet tray, cut-side down. Drizzle with some olive oil. Broil the vegetables until charred, for 15-20 minutes.
    4 Roma tomatoes, 1 Sweet onion, 4 cloves Garlic, 1 Jalapeño pepper
  • Once the vegetables are charred, remove from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes, or until room temperature.
  • Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor, with the remaining ingredients. Pulse until your desired consistency, and serve.
    4 Roma tomatoes, 1 Sweet onion, 4 cloves Garlic, 1 Jalapeño pepper, 1 Chipotle pepper, 1 Lime, ½ cup Cilantro, Salt to taste

Notes

  • Do not be shy with charring the vegetables! The brown bits and charred skin add flavor to the salsa. You may feel nervous that you are burning the vegetables—don’t worry!
  • Adjust the spice to your liking! If the spice level is not your thing, feel free to omit the jalapeño from the salsa. I highly recommend keeping the chipotle in the salsa, for the smokey flavor.

Estimated Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 466IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Have You Tried This Recipe?Don’t forget to leave a comment and rate the recipe! Take a picture and tag @the.sassy.foodie on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our socials!
« Homemade Baileys Irish Cream Pina Colada
California Cheesesteak Sandwiches »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Sunena! I am a law student by day, and a homecook with a passion for food, by night! Welcome to my online kitchen, where I make easy, quick recipes that are tried and true family favourites!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

More about me →

Game Day Recipes

  • Spicy Harissa Pepper Hummus {Cava Copycat}
  • Close-up shot of baked antojito pinwheels in a mini skillet.
    Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels {Montana's Antojito Copycat}
  • Buffalo Chicken Pretzel Bites stacked on top of each other on a wooden board lined with parchment paper
    Buffalo Chicken Pretzel Bites
  • Loaded Greek Feta Fries
  • Loaded Air Fryer Chaat Fries
  • Aloo Tikki Chaat

Popular Recipes

  • Greek Style Potatoes [Spicy Tomato Sauce!]
  • Easy Creamy Lemon Caper Pasta
  • Yellow Shawarma Rice {Halal Cart Copycat}
  • La Scala Copycat Salami Chopped Salad
  • Red Lobster Copycat Brussel Sprouts {Air Fryer}
  • Roasted Eggplant Dip (No Tahini!)

Footer

↑ back to top

Resources

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Connect

  • Subscribe
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Contact

  • Contact
  • Collaborate

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 The Sassy Foodie