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overhead shot of charred tomatillo salsa and chips

Charred Tomatillo Salsa (GF) (V)

4 from 1 vote
Print Recipe
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Charred, Chiles, Grill, Grilled, Hatch Chile, Salsa, Serrano, Tomatillo
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Chef Tony Zentgraf
As with many salsa recipes, the ingredients are flexible. I like to use Hatch Chiles when I can get them.
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Recipe Multiplier

  • 1 lb Tomatillos (husks removed)
  • 1 ea Onion (peeled and sliced whole)
  • 1 ea Garlic Cloves
  • 2 ea Serrano Peppers or substitute Roasted Hatch Chiles! (depending on how hot you like it)
  • 2 ea Lime juiced
  • ½ cup Cilantro Leaves and stems
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Heat grill or broiler.
  • Remove husks from Tomatillos and rinse.
  • Peel and slice the onion into slices to be grilled.
  • Grill the tomatillos until they are charred and softened.
    grilling tomtillos for salsa
  • Grill the onions until charred and semi-tender.
    grilling sliced onion for salsa
  • Trim the end from the serranos, if you want it milder remove the seeds and membrane from the inside of the pepper.
  • In a food processor, place the garlic, serrano and onions in the bowl and pulse chop to break down them.
  • Add the charred tomatillos and pulse to break down and puree.
  • Add the cilantro and pulse to chop and incorporate.
  • Add juice of one lime. Adjust flavor with more lime if needed.
  • Adjust seasoning with Kosher Salt.

Notes

Roast some Hatch Chiles over the open fire to blister like you would do roasting a bell pepper, let steam in a bag or plastic wrap covered bowl and peel skin and seed them.
Add the pepper in place of the serrano peppers. Hatch chiles can range from mild to hot so ask your produce department what level they are.
Tomatillo salsa can be done also by simmering the tomatillos for 5-10 minutes until they are softened.
The onions can be raw and serrano peppers can be charred on the grill or fresh.
If you do the boil method with raw onions remember there may be more onion bite than grilling.
Both ways are good. I have done both ways, depending on what i have time for or am in the mood for.