Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Catrina
If you are following a vegan diet, then the question of whether salsa is vegan may have crossed your mind. The answer to this question is usually “yes.” But, there are some exceptions. This article will walk you through what salsa is, how that meaning may be different inside and outside of Mexico, and what things to look for if you are following a plant-based diet. Plus, I have links to vegan salsa recipes and vegan Mexican food recipes that you can make at home!
What is salsa?
Let’s start with the word. What does the word salsa actually mean? The word salsa in Spanish translates, literally, to sauce in English.
Outside of Mexico, salsa is typically associated with the sauce that comes with the tortilla chips at your local Mexican restaurant or that you use to spice up your quesadillas, nachos, tacos, or burritos. Table salsas come in all different flavors and varieties, from smooth and creamy to thick and chunky.
Salsa in Mexico
Salsa in Mexico is a much broader term. This is important to understand if you are traveling in Mexico!
In Mexico, salsa is used to describe any sauce, whether Mexican in origin or not. So, when I go to my favorite Italian restaurant, I order salsa for my pasta. Same for my local Chinese joint. I order salsa soya or soy sauce to accompany my food.
If we are talking about salsas used strictly for Mexican food, then how the salsa is used will generally be an indicator of whether or not the salsa is vegan.
Table salsas in Mexico
If you are eating table salsa, the condiment used for topping tacos, then the majority of salsas will be vegan.
This is because these types of salsas are generally made with vegetables and fruit, with no addition of animal products. Common ingredients are tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, garlic, salt, and chile peppers (either fresh or dried). These salsas can be prepared in a variety of ways. The vegetables can be boiled, roasted, grilled, fried, or used raw. Some salsas use a combination of these cooking methods.
There are a few exceptions to table salsas, which may include meat-based broth, honey, or Mexican cream.
Mexican sauces that may include animal ingredients
Salsas used for enchiladas, chilaquiles, or as the saucy bases for main dishes like fritters or chile rellenos may use chicken or beef broth (in either liquid or powder form) to help the sauce achieve a proper consistency or to boost flavor.
Other sauces like mole may contain lard in addition to broth.
So, when you are eating away from home, the best policy is to ask!
Commercial salsas
Although there are many different salsa products at the local grocery store, I rarely buy salsa. So, I am not a good source on what commercially available salsas are vegan-friendly. As with any special dietary needs, my recommendation is to check the ingredient label. Look for any non-vegan ingredients like sour cream, meat broths, egg ingredients, and honey.
Common table salsa ingredients
Salsa ingredients are as diverse as the person who is making the dish. But typically, you can count on some combination of the following ingredients to make up your salsa.
Fresh ingredients
- Vegetables
- fresh tomatoes
- tomatillos (green husk tomatoes)
- peppers (serrano, jalapeño, habanero, bell, poblano, etc.)
- garlic
- onion (red, yellow, or white)
- Fruit
- mangoes
- pineapple
- lime juice
- orange juice
- avocados
- Herbs
- fresh cilantro
Dried ingredients
- Chiles
- ancho
- pasilla
- árbol
- chipotle
- guajillo
- mulato
- morita, etc.
- Herbs and spices
- garlic powder
- chile powder
- cumin
I rarely use powdered spices for salsas I make at home because I prefer the flavor of fresh ingredients. But dried herbs and spices could be used in some cases as substitutes for fresh ingredients or to provide additional flavor!
Canned/pantry ingredients
- chiles
- chipotles in adobo
- green chiles
- oil
- vegetable
- olive
- salt
- sea
- Kosher, etc.
- canned tomatoes
- tomato puree
I don’t use canned tomatoes or tomato puree in the salsas that I make at my home in Mexico since ripe tomatoes and tomatillos are available year-round. You could use canned varieties of these if fresh products aren’t available. I also typically use fresh or dried chiles instead of canned varieties.
Benefits of making homemade salsas
One of the benefits of making your own homemade salsas is you know exactly what ingredients you used to make them! Besides ensuring that your salsas are vegan, you can also make them gluten-free and use organic ingredients, like organic onions, organic tomatoes, and organic jalapeño peppers. You also control the spice level, so you can make the salsas as mild or spicy as you wish! Plus, there are endless ways to customize your salsa recipes to your particular tastes!
Try making your own vegan salsa with these traditional salsa recipes!
What can I use vegan salsa for?
If you are on a vegan diet, use salsa to top your favorite Mexican foods, like burrito bowls, vegan nachos, or tacos. Mix spicy salsa with your bowl of black beans and rice to boost the flavor. Or simply use your salsa for dipping your corn chips. You could even use salsa in place of salad dressing!
The below Mexican recipes are vegan or easily modified so you have a few options to use with your vegan salsas! You can substitute vegan cheese or remove the cheese completely and use vegetable broth instead of meat-based broth for these recipes.
Health benefits of homemade vegan salsa
Salsas are typically full of fresh ingredients and natural flavors. If you are making your salsas with fresh vegetables, then these salsas will be naturally low in fat, cholesterol, and calories. Fruits and vegetables also have fiber, which helps aid digestion and reduces the risk of heart disease. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of vitamins A and C (source: Fruits and Vegetables-Important Sources of Nutrients and Vitamins)
Chile peppers also have some unique health properties as well. Besides including some essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, copper, vitamins A, and C, some studies have linked chile peppers to pain relief and weight loss (source: Chili Peppers 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects).
And if you use avocados in your salsas, these fruits provide a healthy source of fat as well as over 20 vitamins and minerals, like vitamin K and folate (source: Avocados from Mexico)!
That’s lots of healthy reasons to eat salsa!
Other vegan salsa-related questions
What equipment do I need to make salsa?
Native Mexican people used to make salsas with a pestle and mortar made out of volcanic rock called a molcajete. Luckily, we have the help of electricity and salsa is usually as easy as chopping up some ingredients or giving them a spin in your blender or food processor. So, if you have a blender, food processor, or pestle and mortar, you can make salsa in your own home!
Are tortilla chips vegan?
Plain corn tortilla chips are generally vegan since the ingredients are typically corn flour, oil, and salt. If you are buying corn tortilla chips, however, check to ensure that the chips are not fried in lard and that they don’t contain flavorings that include animal products (like cheese powder).
Is guacamole vegan?
Yes! Guacamole is an excellent vegan option for dipping corn tortilla chips or spreading on your vegan burritos or toast. Again, if you are buying guacamole from your local grocery store, check the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t include any animal products. Your best bet is to make guacamole at home! Here is my easy guacamole recipe for you to try!
I hope this article helped to answer the question “is salsa vegan?” plus give you some vegan Mexican recipes that you can make at home! If you enjoyed this article, please leave a comment and a star rating below!
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