Spice up Cinco de Mayo with 7 Sexy Salsas

By , Melissa Rudy, Health & Fitness Journalist
You don't have to live in any certain region or be of a specific ethnicity to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Sure, it's technically a Mexican holiday—commemorating the country's 1862 victory in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-American War—but here in the United States, it's become a cross-cultural celebration of the Mexican heritage. On the fifth of May, people of all races, creeds and backgrounds partake in fiestas complete with margaritas, burritos, sombreros and mariachi music.
 
Admittedly, Mexican party food isn't exactly known for its dietary health, but luckily, there's salsa. When it comes to sauces, salsa gets an "Olé!" for nutrition. There are countless variations, but almost all of them are chock full of veggies, fruits, vitamins and nutrients, and not loaded down with fat or calories (we're looking at you, queso dip).
 
If you're throwing a Cinco de Mayo party and looking for some fresh, flavorful dips to serve with your tortilla chips, tacos and beans, we've got you covered. Below are six sexy salsas that are sure to have your guests coming back for more…and more…and more. (Disclaimer: We cannot be held responsible for any spontaneous double-dipping.)

Pico de Gallo
Shared by METALFINGER2U
 
Mexican salsa doesn't get more authentic than this! For even more flavor, try roasting the tomatoes in a frying pan or skillet before adding to salsa.
 
Ingredients: 3 large tomatoes, 1 medium onion, 1/4 bunch of cilantro (use more or less depending on your taste), juice of half a lemon, 1/2 tsp of minced garlic, 1 tsp of salt, 2 jalapenos (or more if you prefer it hotter; remove the seeds for less heat)
  1. Wash tomatoes and cilantro
  2. Dice tomatoes and onions, chop cilantro, jalapenos and the optional ingredients (avocado, cucumber)
  3. Mix ingredients in a bowl
  4. Add salt, garlic and lemon juice
  5. Mix well and serve (or blend for a smoother texture)
Summer Cucumber Salsa
Shared by SLINKY78
 
This healthy, cucumber-based salsa will only cost you 44 calories per serving. It pairs well with your choice of tortilla chips, or try SLINKY78's suggestion of mango-peach baked fruit chips!
 
Ingredients: 3 medium-large cucumbers, 3 small-medium tomatoes, 1 green bell pepper, 1/2 cup red onion, 2 jalapeno peppers, 2 tbsp minced cilantro, 2 tbsp minced fresh dill, 3 squeezes of lime juice (either from wedges or a bottle of lime juice)
  1. Peel cucumber (if desired, leave peel on)
  2. Remove seeds from cucumber and discard; chop remaining cucumber flesh into small pieces
  3. Remove seeds from tomatoes and discard; chop remaining flesh into small pieces
  4. Remove seeds from bell pepper and discard; chop bell pepper into small pieces
  5. Remove seeds from jalapeno peppers; chop into very small pieces (or mince)
  6. Chop red onion into small pieces
  7. Mince cilantro and dill
  8. Combine all chopped veggies in a large bowl
  9. Add cilantro and dill and mix together well
  10. Add a few squeezes of lime juice and mix together again
Poblano Salsa
Shared by Joe Robb, SparkPeople's Marketing Guru
 
The poblano pepper comes from the state of Puebla, Mexico, making it the perfect foundation for a zesty Cinco de Mayo salsa.
 
Ingredients: 8 poblano peppers, 1 cup olive oil, 1 cup red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, chopped garlic, queso fresco (fresh cheese)
  1. Grill or roast poblano peppers until skin blisters
  2. Put in paper bag to loosen skin and then remove it
  3. Chop skinned peppers and put in bowl
  4. Add garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil
  5. Mix ingredients together and add salt, pepper and chopped garlic to taste
  6. Let sit for at least three hours before serving
  7. Crumble queso fresco on top before serving
15-Minute Black Bean & Corn Salsa
Shared by CHIQUITA72979
 
This versatile Mexican salsa can be eaten alone as a "salad" like coleslaw or with corn chips.
 
Ingredients: 1 can black beans, 1 can yellow corn (or yellow and white corn), 1 can of Rotel, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 3 tbsp freshly chopped cilantro, dash of lime juice (or squeeze one lime)
  1. Open can of black beans, place in strainer, rinse off excess "juice" and dump in bowl
  2. Open can of corn, place in strainer to drain off excess water and dump in bowl with beans
  3. Open can of Rotel and add to beans and corn
  4. Add onions and cilantro and stir
  5. Add lime juice to taste
Mango Salsa
Shared by PFROTH
 
This fruity salsa pairs nicely with tortilla chips as a snack, or use it as a condiment on burritos or tacos.
 
Ingredients: 2 cups peeled, diced mango (about 2 mangoes), 1/3 cup red raw onions (finely chopped), 1 minced jalapeno pepper (leave out ribs and seeds for less heat), 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, dash of salt and pepper
  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
  2. Season to taste with salt and pepper
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Shared by BGGARDEN
 
From dipping chips to spicing up soups and enchiladas, this lime-based tomatillo salsa will be the life of your fiesta.
 
Ingredients: 1 lb tomatillos (husked and washed), 3 jalapenos, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp cumin, salt to taste
  1. Place the tomatillos, jalapenos and onions in a saucepan and cover with water
  2. Simmer until all veggies are soft and the tomatillos' skins split
  3. Drain and add all ingredients to a food processor; pulse then puree until smooth
  4. Refrigerate up to two weeks
Spicy Southern Salsa
Shared by Lisa Mikus, RDN, CNSC from Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition Services
 
This salsa contains a variety of fresh veggies and spices, is easy to make and and is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients: 1 can corn, drained and rinsed; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 1/3 bunch cilantro, chopped; 1/2 one large avocado, chopped; 1 tablespoon garlic, grated; 3 Roma tomatoes, chopped; 2 small jalapenos, minced (remove seeds for less heat); 1/4 cup lime juice; salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate before serving.

Now that you've got the salsa down, you might want to check out our healthier versions of Mexican recipes!
 
How are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo? What's your favorite salsa recipe? Share it with us in the comments!