Description
Chili de Arbol Salsa is a vibrant and spicy Mexican sauce made from toasted dried arbol chilies, roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onion. This versatile salsa packs a smoky heat perfect for adding a bold kick to tacos, grilled meats, or as a dip. Ready in just 25 minutes, it combines traditional roasting and toasting techniques to bring out the rich, complex flavors of each ingredient.
Ingredients
Scale
Chilies
- 6-8 dried arbol chilies
Vegetables
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup onion
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/2 cup water (more if needed)
Instructions
- Toast Chilies: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the dried arbol chilies for about 1-2 minutes, flipping them frequently to avoid burning. Toasting releases their aromatic oils and enhances the smoky flavor.
- Prepare Vegetables: Remove the stems and seeds from the toasted chilies. Roughly chop the tomatoes, onion, and garlic to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, cooking until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add chopped tomatoes and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes are softened and slightly charred, which deepens the sauce’s flavor.
- Blend the Sauce: Transfer the toasted chilies, sautéed garlic, onion, and tomatoes into a blender. Add salt, optional sugar, and 1/2 cup of water. Blend until smooth, adjusting the thickness by adding more water if necessary.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salsa and adjust the salt and sugar to balance the heat and flavors according to your preference.
- Serve or Store: Pour the salsa into a bowl and serve immediately as a spicy condiment or store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Remove seeds from arbol chilies to reduce the salsa’s heat if desired.
- Sugar is optional; it helps balance acidity from tomatoes.
- Can be stored refrigerated up to one week in an airtight container.
- Use more water for a thinner consistency or less for a thicker sauce.
- Great accompaniment to tacos, grilled meats, eggs, or as a dip for chips.
