Salsa Finds: Desert Pepper Trading Co. Chunky Salsa , Trader Joe’s Salsa Taqueria, and Joe T. Garcia’s Medium Picante

I am always looking for new salsas available on store shelves, and there are quite a lot out there to choose from. Here is the rundown on three of the latest ones that I tried.

Desert Pepper Trading Co. Chunky Hot Salsa: This El Paso-based company has been putting out its salsas since the 1980s, but I only recently noticed them in stores near me. The chunky version is rich, with a good roasted tomato taste plus just a bit of tang, and it offers nice, big pieces of vegetables that give it a good texture. There is definitely a taste of cumin along with a few other spices, and a touch of garlic. There is also a little bit of sweetness that gives it a nice finish.

The heat does not quite get to the Hot level promised on the label, but it still has some good burn, coming in above Medium on my scale. This is pretty good for an off-the-shelf salsa, and it works well for eating with chips or adding to anything you might want a picante sauce on. The ingredients in this one are pretty simple (only six total, see below), and I found it at Sprouts for around four bucks a jar. You may also be able to find it at Whole Foods and other health food stores, and I will certainly be trying some of their other varieties.

Joe T. Garcia’s Medium Salsa Picante: This salsa comes from the famous Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth, and it has a definite tomato tang with just enough sweetness to cut the acidity. It is a rich salsa with big chunks of tomato and a hint of freshness to the ingredients (only seven included). Not too many of the other veggies come through, but there is some onion in the background. Basically, this is a solid jarred salsa that is maybe a step above the more industrial products on the shelf.

As is typical, the heat level is below what is stated on the label (Medium), as this one comes in just above Mild on my scale. But it has good taste, and you can kick it up as needed. I got this for only about two and a half bucks at Walmart (I believe it was on sale), which is a good deal, and I will likely pick it up again the next time I am there.

Trader Joe’s Salsa Taqueria: This is a new addition to the TJ salsa shelf, and it immediately became a go-to for me. It has a good tang right away, along with a nice freshness that comes from the interesting combination of tomatillos and tomatoes. There is just a little bit of sweetness, but it is enough to dial back the acidity from the two main ingredients. There is also a peppery kick, along with the taste of onions, though the latter is not overpowering. And finally, there is a hint of garlic in the background that seems to bring everything together. It calls itself a Taqueria salsa, like many jars do, but I could actually imagine getting served this at a local Mexican joint or a taco truck (and I have plenty of experience with both).

It is not really spicy, going above Mild and approaching Medium, but it has a nice kick that lingers for a bit. The taste of this one really is superior for a jarred salsa, and I find myself putting it on just about everything. It sells for only $2.49 in my area, which is a heck of a deal, and I usually buy at least a couple of jars when I make my Trader Joe’s stop. I’m hoping this is part of their permanent lineup, but just in case, I am stocking up.

Nutrition Info:

Desert Pepper Trading Co. Chunky Hot Salsa

Ingredients: Tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, tomato paste, salt, dehydrated garlic, chili pepper extract.

Serving Size: 2 Tbsp (33g)
Calories: 10
Fat: 0g (0g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 1g
Carbs: 2g
Sodium: 190mg

Joe T. Garcia’s Medium Salsa Picante

Ingredients: Tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, onions, salt vinegar, garlic, spice, cilantro

Serving Size: 2 Tbsp (33g)
Calories: 10
Fat: 0g (0g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 2g
Sodium: 280mg

Trader Joe’s Salsa Taqueria

Ingredients: Tomatillos, tomato puree (water, tomato paste), diced tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice, citric acid [acidifier], calcium chloride), roasted green chile peppers, jalapeno peppers, onions, salt, distilled white vinegar, garlic puree, mango puree concentrate, cilantro, habanero peppers, citric acid (acidifier).

Serving Size: 2 Tbsp (33g)
Calories: 10
Fat: 0g (0g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 2g
Sodium: 170mg