Carrageenan Free Smoky BBQ Salsa
Charred vegetables and bold spices come together in a salsa that tastes like it spent all afternoon at a backyard cookout. Roma tomatoes, red bell peppers, and jalapeño go straight onto a screaming-hot cast iron pan, building that deep, smoky char you just can't fake with a bottle of liquid smoke. Once they're blistered and tender, smoked paprika, cumin, and chipotle powder bloom in garlic-infused oil alongside softened scallion greens, layering heat and earthiness into every bite. A splash of apple cider vinegar and a touch of maple syrup round out the edges, giving the whole thing a sweet-tangy backbone that keeps you going back for more. Store-bought salsas often sneak in stabilizers and thickeners — carrageenan being one of the most common — so making your own from scratch means you know exactly what's in the bowl. This one is nothing but real, whole ingredients cooked with intention. Serve it warm straight from the skillet, let it cool to room temp, or chill it down and spoon it over tacos, eggs, or anything else that needs a serious flavor upgrade.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 4 medium roma tomatoes, halved
- 2 medium red bell peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused oil, divided
- 4 scallions, green tops only, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp chipotle powder
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over high heat until very hot, about 2 minutes. Brush the cut sides of the tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapeño with 1 tablespoon of the garlic-infused oil.
- 2
Place the tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapeño cut-side down in the dry hot pan. Cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes, until the cut surfaces are deeply charred and the skins begin to blister and loosen. Flip and cook for 2 minutes more, until the skins are softened and the vegetables are tender throughout.
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