Mexican Salsas Guide
Learn about Mexican salsa verde, salsa taquera, salsa casera, salsa ranchera, guacamole salsa and how to choose the right salsa for tacos, nachos, eggs, grilled meats and everyday Mexican food.
Quick Facts
A simple guide to Mexican salsas, how they are different from hot sauces and the best ways to use them at home.
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Main Use
Mexican salsa is used as a topping, dip, cooking sauce or table sauce.
Red Salsas
Red salsas are usually tomato based with chillies, onion and spices.
Green Salsas
Salsa verde is usually made with tomatillos and green chillies.
Heat Level
Some salsas are mild and fresh, while others are hot, smoky or sharp.
Creamy Styles
Guacamole salsa and creamy salsas add a smoother texture to dishes.
Mexican Staple
Salsa is served with tacos, tortilla chips, eggs, grilled meats and snacks.
La Costeña Salsas
La Costeña is one of Mexico’s most recognised food brands and a popular choice for ready-to-use Mexican salsas. Their salsa range is useful because it covers the main styles people use at home: green salsa, taco salsa, homestyle salsa, ranchera salsa and guacamole-style salsa.
Main Types Of Mexican Salsas
These are the main Mexican salsa styles to know when choosing a salsa for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, eggs, grilled meat or tortilla chips.
Salsa Verde
Salsa verde is a green Mexican salsa usually made with tomatillos, green chillies, onion and coriander. It has a fresh, sharp flavour and works well with chicken tacos, pork tacos, fish tacos, enchiladas verdes, quesadillas, eggs and tortilla chips.
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Salsa Taquera
Salsa taquera is made for tacos and Mexican street food. It usually has a stronger chilli flavour than mild table salsa and is ideal with carne asada, birria, barbacoa, al pastor, tostadas, quesadillas and grilled meats.
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Salsa Casera
Salsa casera means homestyle salsa. It is usually tomato based with chilli, onion and seasoning, giving it an everyday table salsa flavour. Use it with tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, nachos, grilled chicken, rice dishes and eggs.
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Salsa Ranchera
Salsa ranchera is a cooked-style Mexican salsa with tomato, chilli, onion and spices. It has a richer flavour than fresh salsa and is often used with huevos rancheros, beans, grilled meat, tacos, burritos and enchiladas.
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Guacamole Salsa
Guacamole salsa is smoother and creamier than classic tomato salsa. It adds avocado-style flavour with chilli and works well with tacos, nachos, burritos, chicken, wraps, fajitas, tortilla chips and Mexican bowls.
View Guacamole Salsa
Other Mexican Salsas
There are many other Mexican salsa styles, including chipotle salsa, habanero salsa, creamy salsa, salsa roja, avocado salsa and traditional table sauces. Keeping a few different salsas at home makes it easier to match the sauce to the meal.
Salsa Vs Hot Sauce
Mexican salsa and Mexican hot sauce are often placed together, but they are used in slightly different ways.
Mexican Salsa
Salsa is usually thicker and more ingredient based. It can be spooned onto food, served as a dip or used in cooking. It often includes tomato, tomatillo, chilli, onion, coriander, avocado or spices.
- Best for dipping and topping
- Works well with tacos, nachos and eggs
- Often thicker than hot sauce
Mexican Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is usually thinner and more pourable. It is used in smaller amounts to add heat, acidity and chilli flavour to snacks, tacos, fruit, seafood, drinks and everyday meals.
- Best for adding extra heat
- Usually thinner and pourable
- Used in smaller amounts than salsa
MexGrocer tip: Choose salsa verde for chicken, pork and fish. Choose salsa taquera for tacos and grilled meat. Choose salsa casera for everyday dipping. Choose salsa ranchera for eggs, beans and cooked dishes. Choose guacamole salsa when you want a smoother avocado-style topping.
How To Use Mexican Salsas
Mexican salsas are easy to use and can quickly make simple food taste better. Here are some of the most common ways to use them.
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Tacos
Add salsa verde, taquera, ranchera or guacamole salsa to tacos.
Nachos
Spoon salsa over nachos or serve it on the side for dipping.
Eggs
Use salsa ranchera or salsa casera with eggs and beans.
Burritos
Add salsa inside burritos or serve it on the side.
Grilled Meat
Serve salsa taquera or ranchera with beef, chicken or pork.
Bowls
Use guacamole salsa or salsa verde on rice bowls and salads.
Other Mexican Salsa Brands To Try
La Costeña is the main focus of this guide, but MexGrocer also stocks other Mexican salsa brands with different styles, from traditional table salsas to creamy taco sauces.
Clemente Jacques
Clemente Jacques is a good choice for everyday Mexican sauces and salsas, including classic table-style options that work well with tacos, snacks and simple meals.
Zaaschila
Zaaschila is known for creamy Mexican salsas and taco sauces, including avocado, habanero and chipotle-style sauces that are popular with street food dishes.
Herdez
Herdez offers well-known Mexican salsa styles such as salsa verde, chipotle salsa and avocado salsa. A strong option for tacos, nachos and Mexican cooking.
San Miguel
San Miguel offers more traditional Mexican salsas and cooking sauces, useful for adding real Mexican flavour to tacos, enchiladas, meat dishes and home cooking.
Mexican Salsa FAQ
Useful answers for choosing Mexican salsa and understanding the main styles.
What is Mexican salsa?
Mexican salsa is a sauce, dip or topping made with ingredients such as tomato, tomatillo, chilli, onion, coriander, avocado and spices. It can be fresh, cooked, mild, smoky, spicy or creamy.
What is salsa verde?
Salsa verde is a green Mexican salsa usually made with tomatillos and green chillies. It is fresh, sharp and works well with chicken, pork, fish, tacos and enchiladas.
What is salsa taquera?
Salsa taquera is taco-style salsa. It is made to go with tacos and street food, especially grilled meats, birria, barbacoa, al pastor, tostadas and quesadillas.
What is salsa casera?
Salsa casera means homestyle salsa. It is usually a tomato-based salsa used as an everyday table salsa for chips, tacos, burritos, eggs and simple meals.
What is salsa ranchera used for?
Salsa ranchera is great with huevos rancheros, eggs, beans, grilled meats, tacos, burritos and cooked Mexican dishes because it has a richer cooked tomato flavour.
Is salsa the same as hot sauce?
No. Salsa is usually thicker and used as a topping, dip or cooking sauce. Hot sauce is usually thinner and used in smaller amounts to add extra heat.
Shop Mexican Salsas & Hot Sauces
Browse authentic Mexican salsa verde, salsa taquera, salsa casera, salsa ranchera, guacamole salsa, hot sauces and creamy salsas from trusted Mexican brands.
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