Best Salsa Verde Recipes

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH GREEN CHILE SAUCE (SALSA VERDE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine chicken, onion mixture, cheese blend, cream cheese, salsa verde, olives, cilantro, and jalapenos in a large bowl for the filling. Mix well.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, then chicken broth. Cook until sauce starts to thicken, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in sour cream and salsa verde; cook until heated through. Spread a spoonful of sauce over the bottoms of two 9x11-inch casserole dishes.
• Wrap a tortilla in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds. Fill with the chicken mixture, roll up, and place seam-side down into a baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas until each dish holds 8 enchiladas.
• Spoon remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.

TOMATILLO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Place tomatillos, onion, garlic, and chile pepper into a saucepan. Season with cilantro, oregano, cumin, and salt; pour in water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatillos are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Using a blender, carefully puree the tomatillos and water in batches until smooth.

SALSA VERDE: GREEN TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• Whether you choose the verdant, slushy, herby freshness of the all-raw tomatillo salsa or the oil-colored, voluptuous, sweet-sour richness of the roasted version, tomatillos are about brightening tang. The buzz of the fresh hot green chile adds thrill, all of which adds up to a condiment most of us simply don't want to live without.
• For the All-Raw version: Roughly chop the tomatillos and the chiles. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos, chiles, cilantro and 1/4 cup water. Process to a coarse puree, then scrape into a serving dish. Rinse the onion under cold water, then shake to remove excess moisture. Stir into the salsa and season with salt, usually a generous 1/4 teaspoon.
• For the Roasted version:
• Preheat a broiler.
• Roast the tomatillos and chiles on a baking sheet 4 inches below a very hot broiler until darkly roasted, even blackened in spots, about 5 minutes. Flip them over and roast the other side, 4 to 5 minutes more will give you splotchy-black and blistered tomatillos and chiles. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos and chiles, including all the delicious juice that has run onto the baking sheet. Add the cilantro and 1/4 cup water, blend to a coarse puree, and scrape into a serving dish. Rinse the onion under cold water, then shake to remove the excess moisture. Stir into the salsa and season with salt, usually a generous 1/4 teaspoon.

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES (TAMALES CON SALSA VERDE Y POLLO)

Steps:

• For filling:
• Place husks in large pot or large bowl; add water to cover. Place heavy plate on husks to keep submerged. Let stand until husks soften, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Preheat broiler. Line heavy baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatillos on prepared sheet. Broil until tomatillos blacken in spots, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer tomatillos and any juices on sheet to processor and cool. Add chiles and garlic to processor and blend until smooth puree forms. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo puree and boil 5 minutes, stirring often. Add broth. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Season with salt. Mix in chicken and cilantro. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For dough:
• Using electric mixer, beat lard (with salt and baking powder, if using) in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in fresh masa or masa harina mixture in 4 additions. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups broth, forming tender dough. If dough seems firm, beat in enough broth, 2 tablespoons at a time, to soften.
• Fill bottom of pot with steamer insert with enough water (about 2 inches) to reach bottom of insert. Line bottom of insert with some softened corn husks. Tear 3 large husks into 1/4-inch-wide strips to use as ties and set aside. Open 2 large husks on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup dough in 4-inch square in center of each, leaving 2- to 3-inch plain border at narrow end of husk. Spoon heaping tablespoon filling in strip down center of each dough square. Fold long sides of husk and dough over filling to cover. Fold up narrow end of husk. Tie folded portion with strip of husk to secure, leaving wide end of tamale open. Stand tamales in steamer basket. Repeat with more husks, dough, and filling until all filling has been used. If necessary to keep tamales upright in steamer, insert pieces of crumpled foil between them.
• Bring water in pot to boil. Cover pot and steam tamales until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill. Before serving, re-steam tamales until hot, about 35 minutes.)

GRILLED SALMON WITH CITRUS SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• For the salsa: Peel and trim the ends from each orange. Using a paring knife, cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment. Free the segments and add them to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, scallions, mint, capers, orange zest, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Toss lightly and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• For the salmon: Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the grilling rack with vegetable oil to keep the salmon from sticking. Brush the salmon on both sides with the agave nectar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the salmon to a platter and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Spoon the salsa verde on top of the salmon or serve on the side as an accompaniment.

SLOW COOKER SALSA VERDE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the chicken thighs, salsa verde, green chiles, chopped garlic, jalapeño, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir to evenly combine. (Don't add salt now; jarred salsas are often high in sodium.) Cook on low until the chicken is tender and the flavors are blended, 5 to 6 hours. (If you will be away for 8 hours or more, set the cook time for 4 hours on low and set the slow cooker auto-switch to warm for the remaining time.)
• Use two forks to coarsely shred the chicken. With the heat on low, add the scallions and cilantro, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and lime juice. Serve with rice or in tortillas, if desired, with accompaniments.

GREEN TOMATO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the green tomatoes on the baking sheet, stem-side down, and place under the broiler about 2 inches from the heat. Broil two to five minutes, until charred. Using tongs, turn the tomatoes over, and grill on the other side for two to five minutes, until blackened. Remove from the heat. When cool enough to handle, core the tomatoes and remove the charred skin. Quarter and place in a blender or a food processor fitted with a steel blade (I prefer the blender).
• Add the remaining ingredients, except the water, to the blender or food processor, and blend to a coarse or a smooth puree (to your taste). Transfer to a bowl, taste and adjust seasonings, and thin out with water if desired. Allow to stand for 30 minutes or longer before serving to allow the flavors to develop. You may wish to thin out after it stands.

SALSA VERDE CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the chicken, sour cream and 3/4 cup salsa. Spread 1/4 cup salsa on the bottom of a greased 8-in. square baking dish., Layer with half of the tortillas and chicken mixture; sprinkle with half the tomatoes, minced cilantro and half of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining tortillas, chicken mixture, tomatoes and cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 400° until bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Serve with remaining salsa and, if desired, optional toppings.

SALSA VERDE (GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Chop the herbs and garlic, mixing with 1 tsp sea salt, until very fine.
• Add the mustard and capers, and combine. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the olive oil.
• Add the vinegar, little by little, stirring and tasting as you go - trust your palate!

GREEN HOT SAUCE (SALSA VERDE)

Steps:

• Place the tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, and garlic in a saucepan, and add water to just cover. Sprinkle the salt over the top, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the tomatillos are soft and have turned slightly brownish in color, 20 to 30 minutes. Add more water if needed to keep the mixture from burning as it cooks.
• Pour the cooked vegetables into a blender, and blend until smooth.

SALSA VERDE PORK

Steps:

• Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown pork loin in hot oil, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer roast to the crock of a slow cooker. Pour green salsa over the pork.
• Cook on Low for 5 hours.
• Shred the pork into strands with two forks; stir with the sauce so the texture is somewhat even. Continue cooking on Low for 1 to 3 hours more.

SKIRT STEAK WITH SALSA VERDE SALAD

Steps:

• If necessary, cut the steak crosswise into large pieces that will fit into a shallow, nonreactive dish. Transfer the steaks to the dish. In a glass measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, scallions, capers, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour about 1/3 of the dressing (about 1/3 cup) over the steak and turn to coat both sides.
• Add the parsley and 1 tablespoon mint to the reserved dressing, stir, and set aside until ready to use. Cover and refrigerate the steak for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. (If marinating the steak overnight, cover and refrigerate the reserved dressing.)
• In a small sauté pan set over medium heat, toast the pine nuts, tossing often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Set the grill to medium-high heat, or heat a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with salt, and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• While the steak rests, cut the romaine hearts lengthwise into quarters. Arrange the romaine hearts in one layer on a large platter, leaving room on one side for the steak. Sprinkle the feta, pine nuts and the remaining 1 tablespoon mint over the romaine. Slice the steak crosswise into 3-inch pieces, then slice against the grain to cut the steak into wide strips. Arrange the sliced steak on the platter, then drizzle the reserved dressing over the romaine and steak. Serve immediately.

MARISCADA EN SALSA VERDE (SEAFOOD STEW IN GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Cook tomatillos in boiling water for about 3 minutes (they will change color), cool off in cold water for a couple of minutes, then chop in a food processor.
• Add onions and garlic to food processor and coarsely puree.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan and saute puree until onions are tender, about 5 minutes (I know this is hard to tell, but use your nose; the puree will smell strongly of onions, but once done, the aroma will be lessened).
• Stir in coconut milk, chicken stock, wine, and parsley; season with salt and pepper and hot sauce.
• Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium high heat; add shrimp and saute until slightly seared, but not necessarily cooked through (will finish in the sauce), about 1 minute per side; set aside.
• Saute scallops until seared, about 2 minutes per side (will also finish in sauce); set aside.
• Wipe out skillet and add about 1/4 cup water and and lobster tails; cover and let steam about 3 minutes; snip in half, lengthwise, with kitchen shears, and set aside.
• Add clams to skillet, cover and cook clams, shaking occasionally, until one opens, then add mussels.
• Re-cover and cook, while shaking pan occasionally, until all shells open.
• Add seafood, including squid (calamari) to salsa verde and heat through, about 10 minutes.
• Serve with optional garnishes.
• ------------------------------------------OR---------------------------------------------.
• Once, salsa verde is finished simmering, pour it into an oven-safe covered casserole (a pretty one for serving).
• Add seafood, stir, cover, and bake at 325 degrees F until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
• Bring to the table in the casserole dish; pass optional garnishes.

GRILLED FISH WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• To make the salsa verde, combine the garlic, anchovy fillet, salt and capers in a mini food processor and pulse to a paste. (Alternatively, use an immersion blender and combine the ingredients in a jar and blend to a paste.) Add the olive oil and parsley and blend to a purée. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If using within a few hours, allow to sit at room temperature. Otherwise, refrigerate. Allow to come to room temperature before using.
• Prepare a hot grill. When the grill is ready, season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides and brush generously on both sides with olive oil. Grill for about 3 minutes on each side, just until you can pull the flesh apart with a fork. Remove from the heat and serve with the salsa verde.

CREAMY WHITE CHICKEN CHILI WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Shred chicken meat; set aside.
• Place cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high power until soft, about 20 seconds. Add half-and-half and stir until completely mixed; set aside.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bell peppers, jalapenos, and garlic; saute until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Toss in chicken, dried shallots, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken, cream cheese mixture, chicken stock, salsa, cumin, and oregano; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 2 hours.

ROASTED SPLIT CHICKEN WITH DILL SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the chicken on a baking sheet fitted with a rack. Sprinkle the chicken all over with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken until it is rich and caramelized and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the leg (avoiding bone) reads 160 degrees F, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow the bird to rest for 20 minutes.
• In a mortar and pestle, add the capers, garlic, lemon zest, anchovies, flaky salt and black pepper to taste. Mash into a coarse paste. (You can also use a mini chopper and pulse into a coarse paste, then transfer to a bowl.) Coarsely chop the dill, arugula, basil, parsley and tarragon, if using, together, then add to the anchovy-caper paste. Stir in the oil and set aside.
• Cut the chicken into drumsticks and thighs, then halve the breasts (with wings still attached), and arrange on a platter. Spoon the salsa verde over the chicken. Season with some more pepper and smoked salt. Serve.

ARROZ CON POLLO WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Rinse the chicken pieces and pat dry. In a small bowl, blend 2 tablespoons oil, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, paprika and cayenne. Rub each piece of chicken with the spice paste and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes for the flavor to develop.
• In a heavy, ovenproof casserole with lid, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Fry the chorizo over medium heat until it is crispy and renders its fat. Remove the chorizo with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Place the chicken in the pan, skin side down, and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes Remove from pan and set aside. Make a sofrito by sauteing the onion, garlic, bell pepper and bay leaves; cooking until the vegetables are very soft and almost dissolved. Stir in the rice so the grains are well coated with the sofrito.
• Add the tomatoes and broth, season with salt and pepper. Return the chorizo and chicken to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Cover and transfer pot to oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is done and the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Scatter the olives on top of the chicken and rice before serving.
• To prepare the Salsa Verde: In a mortar and pestle or food processor, mash together all ingredients to form a loose paste. Garnish Arroz Con Pollo with Salsa Verde before serving.

ROASTED SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Lay tomatillos, Anaheim peppers, onions, jalapeno peppers, and garlic on a large rimmed baking sheet.
• Broil in the preheated oven until tomatillos release their juices, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove tomatillos and garlic from the baking sheet; flip Anaheim peppers, jalapeno peppers, and onions and return to the oven. Continue to broil until peppers are blackened, about 5 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let cool until safe to handle, about 5 minutes.
• Peel away blackened parts from vegetables without taking off too much flesh. Transfer tomatillos, Anaheim peppers, onions, jalapeno peppers, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt to a food processor and pulse until well combined and chopped. Refrigerate salsa until cold, at least 30 minutes.

CHICKEN SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the canola oil. Season with 2 teaspoons of the salt and 1 teaspoon of the pepper; drizzle with the remaining 4 teaspoons canola oil.
• Place the chicken seasoned-side down on the grill. Season the side facing upwards with the remaining 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook the chicken until golden-brown and the exterior has formed a crust, turning midway through to form the cross-hatch pattern, 3 to 4 minutes. (Note: the chicken is not being flipped, the same side is still on the grill.) Flip the chicken and repeat until the other side is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. The center of the chicken should be firm to the touch when poked and the meat thermometer should read 165 degrees F.
• For the salsa verde: Combine the garlic and the anchovies on the cutting board. Put the parsley, chives and tarragon on the cutting board and coarsely chop to combine with the garlic mixture. Put the salsa mixture in a medium bowl and add the lemon zest. Add the red pepper and salt. Mix the herb mixture together while drizzling in the olive oil until thoroughly combined. Put the salsa in a serving bowl and set aside until the chicken is ready.

POLLO CON SALSA VERDE (CHICKEN WITH GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Dredge both sides of chicken through the flour, shaking off excess.
• Melt the butter over med heat in a large heavy bottomed pot.
• Add the chicken and cook over med-high heat turning once, until both sides are well browned, but chicken is not quite cooked through (about 6-7 minutes per side).
• Remove chicken from the pot and keep warm.
• Pour the chicken broth into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Place the green salsa, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and cumin into the pot; bring to a boil.
• Just as the sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to obtain a slow simmer. Add the chicken breasts back into the sauce and spoon sauce over each piece of chicken.
• Continue to cook until chicken is cooked through and tender (about 15 minutes).
• Taste the sauce and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Place chicken on a serving platter and spoon sauce over each piece.
• Top each piece of chicken with a heaping tablespoon of sour cream and sprinkle some chopped green onion over the sour cream.