Salsa verde is a zesty green Mexican sauce made from tomatillos, chilies, garlic, onion, cilantro, and lime. Its bright, tangy flavor adds a punch of flavor to many different dishes. If you have an open jar of salsa verde in your fridge, don’t let it go to waste! Here are some delicious ways to use up salsa verde:
1. Enchiladas
Enchiladas are one of the most classic ways to use up salsa verde. Simply fill corn tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, beans, or veggies, roll up, and top with salsa verde. Bake until hot and melty. The salsa verde acts as a flavorful sauce for the enchiladas. You can make enchiladas with whatever fillings you have on hand.
2. Tacos
Liven up ground beef or shredded chicken tacos by topping them with a spoonful of salsa verde. The bright green salsa adds lots of extra flavor. Try tacos with cabbage, onion, cilantro, and queso fresco for a tasty taco night.
3. Chilaquiles
Transform stale tortilla chips into chilaquiles by baking them with salsa verde, cheese, onions, and eggs. The salsa verde softens the chips into a comforting casserole-like dish. Add shredded chicken or black beans to make it a complete meal.
4. Burritos
Burritos are an easy weeknight dinner, and salsa verde can add interest to basic bean and rice fillings. Top your burritos with salsa verde before serving for extra flavor. Some delicious burrito fillings to try are barbacoa beef, carnitas, or chile verde pork.
5. Quesadillas
Jazz up boring quesadillas by using salsa verde instead of plain salsa. Simply add a few tablespoons of salsa verde on top of any quesadilla filling before topping with the second tortilla. The creamy, spicy salsa verde amps up the flavor in melty quesadillas.
6. Soup
Add a spoonful of salsa verde to veggie, chicken, or black bean soups. The zesty green salsa infuses soups with Mexican flavor. Try it in tortilla soup for a boost of color and flavor.
7. Baked potatoes
For a different take on loaded baked potatoes, top Russet or sweet potatoes with salsa verde instead of regular salsa. The creamy, spicy salsa verde goes great with potatoes, cheese, bacon, and scallions.
8.Breakfast tacos
Wake up to tacos filled with eggs, potatoes, cheese, and salsa verde! The salsa verde adds a nice kick to breakfast tacos and keeps them from getting boring.
9. Nachos
Elevate your nachos by drizzling salsa verde over the toppings. The salsa adds a tangy, spicy layer of flavor to cheesy nachos piled high with beans, meat, veggies, etc.
10. Tamales
Tamales are often served with salsa verde for dipping or drizzling on top. Either homemade or store-bought tamales can be elevated by adding a few spoonfuls of salsa verde.
11. Huevos rancheros
No huevos rancheros breakfast would be complete without salsa verde! Use it to top fried eggs served alongside tortillas, beans, and rice for a satisfying morning meal.
12. Chimichangas
Fry up some chimichangas and top with salsa verde for an easy Tex-Mex meal. The fried burritos are the perfect vehicle for the bright creamy salsa.
13. Fajitas
Bring Tex-Mex flavor to steak, chicken, or shrimp fajitas by including salsa verde as one of the toppings. Sauteed peppers and onions, guacamole, and sour cream also pair nicely with the salsa-topped fajitas.
14. Burgers
Add some Southwestern flair to your next burger night by topping the burgers with salsa verde instead of ketchup or regular salsa. It adds a tangy, spicy kick.
15. Steaks
Liven up steaks or chicken breasts by serving them with a sauce made from sautéed salsa verde, garlic, lime juice, and cilantro. Drizzle the sauce over the meat for instant flavor.
16. Grilled fish
The bright flavors of salsa verde pair perfectly with meaty grilled fish like salmon, halibut, or mahi mahi. Spoon the salsa over the fish just before serving.
17. Green rice
For a colorful side dish, make Mexican green rice by simmering rice with salsa verde, garlic, onion, and cilantro. The salsa verde tints the rice a vibrant green.
18. Salad dressing
Transform salsa verde into a tangy salad dressing by whisking it with olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle over leafy greens, grains, beans, or veggies.
19. Mexican pizza
Top a prepared pizza crust with refried beans, salsa verde, meat, veggies, and cheese for a Mexican pizza night. The salsa verde provides great flavor.
20. Chips and dip
Of course, you can always use salsa verde as a dip for tortilla chips! It also makes a great dip for fresh veggies or crackers.
Conclusion
With its vibrant color and zesty flavor, salsa verde can spice up all kinds of dishes beyond traditional Mexican food. It’s delicious in enchiladas, tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and more. You can also use it to add punchy flavor to soups, salads, rice, pizza, fish, meats, potatoes, and eggs. With an opened jar of salsa verde, you’ll never run out of options for easy, flavorful meals.
