Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (2024)

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by Mike Hultquist · · 11 Comments · Jump to Recipe

Salsa Criolla (Argentinian Salsa) is a bright, vibrant South American salsa that features chopped bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic tossed with red wine vinegar and olive oil. It's deliciously fresh and SO easy to make!

Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (1)

Salsa Criolla Recipe (Argentinian Salsa)

Some version of "salsa" can be found in every country around the world. At its root, salsa is simply a combination of fresh local vegetables (and sometimes fruit) with other local seasonings.

It can be served fresh and raw, or cooked in some form and processed, but from place to place it is essentially the same thing. The biggest difference between them is the selection of local ingredients.

Salsa Criolla is no different. Note that this recipe is the Argentinian version of the salsa, not the Peruvian Salsa Criolla that is much different, one that I hope to include on the website here soon. The Argentinian version of criolla sauce is much more vibrant in color and much closer to salsa you may already be used to eating.

Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (2)

What is Salsa Criolla?

The base of Argentinian Salsa Criolla is red bell pepper, onion, tomato, vinegar and oil. From there you are free to add in other ingredients, which I have done, of course, but as you can see, it is quite similar to what you might find anywhere in the U.S.

Salsa Criolla isn't meant to be enjoyed as a typical salsa, however. Instead, it is meant to accompany meat, particularly steak, as a condiment along with chimichurri. It is also popular with street food, such aschoripán, basically chorizo served on a bun, along with chimichurri.

Because of the combination of vinegar and oil, it is reminscent of a mild giardiniera (check out our local Chicago Style Giardiniera Recipe as a comparison), though Salsa Criolla is meant to be served fresh, immediately after you make it.

Ingredients in Salsa Criolla

  • Red bell pepper (I used a green one too)
  • White onion
  • Tomato
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Crushed red pepper
  • Fresh oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (3)

How to Make Salsa Criolla

Mix the fresh ingredients. Add the prepared bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic to a big bowl.

Make the simple dressing. In another bowl, whisk together the oil and vinegar. Pour it into the bowl with the vegetables and toss to fully coat everything.

Make it flavorful, and enjoy! Add the crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper to your salsa. Give it a good stir and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • Serve it however you'd like. I don't see any reason why you can't serve this as-is or dig in with a bag of tortilla chips, but honestly, the salsa shines when served over the top of a grilled steak or chicken breast, or spooned over a sizzling sausage in a bun.
  • Adjust the spice levels. It's no secret that I love some red pepper flakes! However, you can omit them or halve the amount if you're looking for a less spicy option. With that being said, you could always heat things up by measuring with your heart.

Storage

You can always save it for later. While this salsa is meant to be enjoyed immediately, you can definitely store it for later. Just pop it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (4)

Try this with my Bake Flounder with Salsa Criolla recipe. Delish!

Check Out Some My Other Popular Salsa Recipes

  • Mexican Green Table Sauce
  • Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce with Roasted Tomatillos
  • Salsa Roja
  • Salsa Criolla – Argentinian Salsa
  • Fiery Mango Salsa
  • Habanero Salsa
  • Xni-Pec – Chunky Habanero Salsa
  • Homemade Picante Sauce
  • Fresh Cranberry Salsa
  • Guasacaca (Venezuelan Avocado Dip)

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (5)

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Salsa Criolla Recipe (Argentinian Salsa)

Salsa criolla is a vibrant South American salsa recipe with chopped bell peppers, onion, tomato and garlic tossed with red wine vinegar and olive oil. This is the Argentinian version.

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Calories: 58kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 10

Tap or hover to scale

5 from 4 votes

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Ingredients

  • 1 small red bell pepper finely chopped (I used both red and green)
  • ½ small white onion finely chopped
  • 1 small tomato chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add the bell pepper, onion, tomato and garlic to a large bowl.

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil and vinegar. Pour it into the first bowl and toss to coat everything.

  • Add the crushed red pepper, oregano and salt and pepper to your preference.

  • Give it a good stir and serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 2gFat: 5gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 66mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 535IUVitamin C: 17.4mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.3mg

Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (6)

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. pharady sananikone says

    Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (7)
    love your receipes

    Reply

    • Mike H. says

      Thank you, Pharady. Enjoy!

      Reply

  2. July says

    How long does this keep in the refrigerator jared?

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      July, salsa will keep 5-7 days covered in the refrigerator. I have not tried to process it in a water bath, however.

      Reply

  3. Rocio says

    Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (8)
    I’m Argentinian, I loved it. I use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine, I like it better and find it more sweet.

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Thanks, Rocio! Super happy you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  4. Beth says

    Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (9)
    Hi, I found your blog while searching for info on an amazing steak sandwich I had in La Boca in Buenos Aires. It was served plain with 3 condiments, I believe one was salsa criolla. The other seemed like a mayo-like condiment with chives or something in it, and the third looked like a red and green chimichurri but did not taste like chimichurri. Any idea what those might have been? Anyway I'm going to try your recipe, it looks great, thanks!

    REPLY: Hi, Beth! I'm thinking it could have been a different version of a chimichurri, as there are a few ways to make them, though not positive. Very curious! I hope you like the salsa. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.

    Reply

    • Jime says

      Very likely your third sauce is provenzal: garlic and parsley in oil.

      Reply

  5. lisa says

    the recipe only lists red pepper, but the picture also shows green

    REPLY: Lisa, you can use a combination of red and green bell, as I have done, for color if you wish. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.

    Reply

  6. John says

    Looks great. Pic looks like it has a little green pepper too. I like the color contrast!

    Reply

  7. pippo in cucina says

    salsa muy fresca y rica

    Reply

Salsa Criolla ecipe (Argentinian Salsa Recipe) - Chili Pepper Madness (2024)

FAQs

What is Criolla sauce made of? ›

In Peru, salsa criolla is a cold sauce typically used to accompany meat. The base composition is onion, red bell pepper and tomato, lime juice or vinegar and oil.

What peppers make the best salsa? ›

For mild salsa, use banana peppers, Anaheim peppers, and/or canned diced green chile peppers. For medium salsa, add one finely chopped jalapeno to the mix. For hot salsa, add two finely chopped jalapeno peppers or the even hotter serrano peppers.

What hot pepper is often used as a salsa ingredient? ›

Jalapeños Peppers

This is probably the most common pepper in salsas around the world. It has a good amount of heat, but also a subtle sweetness that adds an extra layer of flavor. Plus, you can find them everywhere! On the Scoville Scale, they range from 2,000 to 8,000 SHU.

How do you make salsa more spicy? ›

9 Ways to Make Mild Salsa Spicier
  1. 1 – Add Your Preferred Brand of Hot Sauce. ...
  2. 2 – Chop or Dice Jalapenos and Add to Your Mild Salsa. ...
  3. 3 – Add Diced Raw Onions (or Even Onion Powder) ...
  4. 4 – Add Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. ...
  5. 5 – Mix Chopped Raw Chili Peppers into Mild Salsa. ...
  6. 6 – Sprinkle in Cayenne Pepper.
Sep 30, 2022

Where is salsa criolla from? ›

Salsa Criolla (Argentinian Salsa) is a bright, vibrant South American salsa that features chopped bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic tossed with red wine vinegar and olive oil. It's deliciously fresh and SO easy to make!

What is Criolla in Peru? ›

Música criolla, creole music or canción criolla is a varied genre of Peruvian music that exhibits influences from European, African and Andean music.

Why does Mexican restaurant salsa taste so good? ›

A unique blend of fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice contributes to the vibrant, lively taste of restaurant-style salsa.

Which onion is best for salsa? ›

White onion – you can also use a yellow or red onion, but white onion is what is traditionally used to make salsa. Fresh cilantro – I recommend cutting off any large, thick stems, but blending in some of the thin, smaller stems, along with the leaves is totally fine. Lime juice – fresh squeezed, always for this recipe!

Are red or yellow onions better for salsa? ›

There are several reasons why red onions are often preferred over other onion varieties for salsa: 1. Flavor: Red onions have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to yellow or white onions. This allows them to add a subtle, slightly sweet taste to the salsa without overpowering the other ingredients.

What gives salsa more flavor? ›

Cook the salsa, and you'll trade bright, fresh flavors for something deeper, sweeter. Roasting the tomatoes, garlic and/or chiles creates rich, smoky flavors. 3. Layer in flavor, color, and texture with bell peppers, jicama, radishes, fresh corn kernels, avocado, or black beans.

Why do you put garlic in salsa? ›

Garlic. Oh, beauteous bulb of flavor! This cousin to onions and shallots packs the right amount of intensity to bring out the brightness of tomatoes and tomatillos.

What pepper do Mexicans use? ›

Jalapeño, Serrano, Poblano, Chipotle, Habanero, and a whole host more are popular in both their fresh and cooked forms in a large variety of Mexican dishes. Each chile serves its purpose and adds flavor and spice to the food providing different heat levels.

What thickens salsa? ›

Fortunately, there's an easy way to thicken this kind of salsa to your exact liking: tomato paste. A tablespoon or two could be just what you need to tighten up your sauce but do keep in mind that not all salsas are the same.

What does adding salt to salsa do? ›

Prepare your salsa an hour before you plan on serving it. Not only will the flavors mingle together better, the salt will draw out the moisture from the tomatoes, taking it from chopped slaw to a seasoned, perfectly saucy situation. Just keep in mind: The longer it sits, the soupier it will get, so plan accordingly.

Does sour cream make salsa less spicy? ›

If all you have on hand is sour cream, you're in luck - dairy is a powerful spice neutralizer. You could just serve your salsa with a scoop of sour cream on top or on the side. If you're open to making a different kind of dip, mix sour cream into the salsa until you've curbed the burn.

What is comida criolla in Puerto Rico? ›

Puerto Ricans proudly refer to their cooking as comida criolla. This literally means Creole food, but it really refers to the island's rich history and mix of cultures—native, Spanish, and African—that make up the traditional cooking on the island.

What is carbonada criolla made of? ›

Carbonada is a stew that contains meat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and chunks of corn on the cob, plus fruit. From FoodinArgentina.com."

What mother sauce is Creole made from? ›

Mother Tomato: Salt pork, mirepoix, tomato, tomato puree, sachet (thyme, bay leaves, garlic, parsley, peppercorns), salt, sugar, white stock, pork bones. Small tomato sauces: Creole (onion, celery, garlic, green pepper, hot pepper sauce). Milanaise (mushrooms, ham, tongue). Spanish (mushrooms, black or green olives).

What is Creole mayo made of? ›

For this spread, combine your favorite brand of mayonnaise (or homemade, if you want to overachieve), minced shallot, Creole mustard, white wine vinegar, and Creole seasoning in a bowl. Chill the mixture until ready to serve, and proceed to add this addicting spread to anything your heart pleases.

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