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Creamy Jalapeño Salsa Recipe

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4.2 from 70 reviews

This creamy jalapeño salsa recipe highlights the fresh heat of jalapeño peppers balanced with garlic, tempered by a subtle simmer and emulsified with vegetable oil for a luxuriously smooth texture. Ideal for those who appreciate a moderately spicy, flavorful salsa that’s versatile enough for dipping, spreading, or topping your favorite dishes.

Ingredients

Peppers and Aromatics

  • 8 Jalapeño peppers, medium-sized, firm and bright green
  • 1 medium-size garlic clove, peeled

Liquid Ingredients

  • 1½ cups water
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil (neutral-flavored such as canola, sunflower, or grapeseed oil)

Seasoning

  • Salt to taste (start with about ½ teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Jalapeños: Wash the jalapeño peppers thoroughly. Wearing food-safe gloves is advised to avoid skin irritation. Slice each pepper lengthwise and remove stems. Adjust heat by removing white veins and seeds according to your preferred spice level—scrape out all veins and seeds for mild heat, leave veins and remove seeds for very spicy, or mix for medium heat. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Peppers and Garlic: Peel the garlic clove and place it with the prepared jalapeños in a medium saucepan. Add 1½ cups water, covering the ingredients. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan with a lid leaving a small gap for steam and simmer for 12-15 minutes until peppers soften and change color to olive green. Add water if needed to maintain coverage.
  3. Cool and Blend: Turn off heat and allow the peppers, garlic, and cooking liquid to cool slightly for safety and better emulsification. Transfer them carefully to a blender. Add about ⅓ cup of the flavorful cooking water, the ⅓ cup vegetable oil, and salt to taste (start with ½ teaspoon). Secure the lid and blend until exceptionally smooth and creamy, scraping sides as necessary. For an even creamier result, slowly drizzle in oil through the blender lid’s opening while blending, emulating a mayonnaise technique.
  4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the salsa and adjust seasoning by adding more salt or a little additional cooking water to achieve your preferred thickness. Optionally, add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat if desired.
  5. Serve or Store: Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. The salsa keeps well chilled and can be enjoyed as a creamy, spicy accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes.

Notes

  • Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent skin irritation from capsaicin.
  • Adjust the jalapeño veins and seeds based on your desired spice level.
  • Maintaining some cooking water during blending ensures perfect consistency.
  • Use a neutral oil for best flavor and emulsification.
  • Cool ingredients slightly before blending to avoid pressure buildup in the blender.
  • Slowly pouring oil into the blender during blending can improve creaminess by creating a stable emulsion.
  • Salsa can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.

Find it online: https://deliciousyum.com/creamy-jalapeno-salsa-recipe/