Published:
Oct 16th 2022
by 
Last updated: Dec 21st 2024
Tomatillos are part of the nightshade and tomato family, primarily grown in Mexico and Central America. Tomatillo translates to "little tomato" in the Mexican dialect or "little lantern" in Guatemala. Tomatillos are produced with a paper-like husk wrapped around the fruit, and as they develop, the husk splits and turns color from green to brown as the fruit ripens, much like a gooseberry. Most tomatillos are green, with some varieties found to be red or even purple color to them. Tomatillos have a sour, tart flavor adding almost a lemony taste to the dishes they're in, and are most commonly seen blended into Salsa Verde, served as a dipping sauce for tortillas. If you were to bite into a raw tomatillo, you might be put off by its tart taste; however, cooking tomatillos help to sweeten the fruit, removing some sourness from the tomatillo.
For this Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa recipe, the tomatillos are poached in salted water with garlic cloves and onions until they've softened. Then, they're blended with red chile powder, cumin, fresh cilantro, and salt, producing a refreshing yet mildly spicy salsa that can be served either warm or cold, depending on the dish. Typically, you'll have a warm tomatillo salsa spooned on top of enchiladas or tacos, with a complex version used to dunk tortilla chips into or drizzle on burrito bowls.
If you're new to using tomatillos, you'll notice that once you remove the husk, the fruit will have a sticky feel - rinse them underwater to remove the natural stickiness. If fresh tomatillos are unavailable at your local market, you can also find canned tomatoes that are already cooked and cut up that you can use as a substitute.
Is tomatillo red chili salsa spicy?
This tomatillo red chili salsa has a medium spice to it.
Is red or green tomatillo salsa hotter?
The color of the salsa doesn't necessarily determine the level of heat the salsa will have. The heat comes from the chilies added to it and not the color of the salsa.
Are tomatillos spicy hot?
Tomatillos aren't spicy; they have a tart, sour, and fruity profile.
Can you eat a raw tomatillo?
Yes, tomatillos can be eaten raw. However, they can be on the wrong side. Raw tomatillos can be chopped up and added to pico de Gallo or blended into salsa, adding a distinctively tart flavor. If you're not a fan of sour foods, poach or roast the tomatillos first, which will help to sweeten things up.
Time & Serves
Ingredients
4 cups Water for cooking
1 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
8 Tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
3 cloves Garlic, whole
1 small Yellow Onion, peeled, cut into quarters
1 teaspoon Red Chile Powder, add a little more if you enjoy a spicier salsa
1 teaspoon ground Cumin
1/4 cup Cilantro Leaves, chopped
Instructions
Bring the water and one teaspoon of salt to a boil. Add the tomatillos, garlic, and onions to the water, and cook for 15 minutes until the tomatillos have softened.
Strain the tomatillo mixture using a strainer and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Add the tomatillo mixture and the rest of the ingredients to a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.
Add the salsa to a dipping dish or place it in an airtight container for later use.
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