Salsa has been a popular condiment for thousands of years. Its history in Latin America dates back before the Aztec empire, and it's evolved into countless varieties over the ages. By the time it was introduced to American consumers en masse in the 1980s, our own spins on salsa skyrocketed in popularity. In 1992, salsa even outsold ketchup as the nation's most popular condiment.
If you're hosting a party, there's a good chance you'll put out some salsa. What else are you going to serve alongside tortilla chips and guacamole? And you can't quite build a seven-layer dip without it. But on top of the party planning and all the other snacks and appetizers on the menu, you probably don't have enough time to make your own salsa from scratch.
Store-bought jarred salsa is the most convenient option, but let's be honest: most of them are not good. We've all had horror stories of opening up a jar of what looks to be a promising salsa, only to get glorified spaghetti sauce. Certain major brands (that may or may not rhyme with mosquitos) even veer into ketchup territory.
But your salsa should never ruin your party. That's why we rounded up as many store-bought salsa brands we could find and tasted them all—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Out of the several dozen we tried, we identified the five best brands that deserve center stage at your snack table.
We're including our favorites in a variety of categories, too. So whether you're looking for red, green, or any other salsa in between, we've got you covered. Did we miss your favorite brand? Let us know in the comments. And if you're also looking for the best tortilla chips, we ranked those too.
Best Classic Salsa: Green Mountain Gringo
All the brands in the running for best classic salsa were, honestly, pretty abysmal. But among the sea of marinara-esque mush, Green Mountain Gringo was a beacon of light.
The combination of fresh pasilla, jalapeño, and serrano peppers provide a base layer of vegetable-forward heat. And once you add in the tomatoes, the herbs, and the hint of acid from tomatillos and vinegar, you end up with a well-rounded salsa with a broad appeal.
Best Fresh Salsa: Ithaca
The emergence of fresh salsas in the grocery store's refrigerated section has changed the game. It may not be shelf-stable, but it comes far closer to restaurant-quality salsa than any jarred version could be. And Ithaca's fresh salsa is by far our favorite.
Our tasters loved that you can identify and actually taste the vegetables in this salsa. And an added bonus: Ithaca offers three different heat levels so everybody can enjoy it.
Best Salsa Verde: Herdez Guacamole Salsa
Salsa verde is often considered the sidekick of the salsa world. The tomatillo-based condiment usually accompanies traditional red recipes instead of being a star in its own right. But once you taste Herdez's Guacamole Salsa, you'll understand why it deserves the limelight.
This salsa takes all the bright, refreshing qualities of their salsa verde, and then they blend it with avocados. It's creamy, substantial, and the perfect complement to any tortilla chip. Thank us later.
Best Smoky Salsa: Xochitl Chipotle
If you're looking for a moody, smoky salsa, you'll probably want to opt for a chipotle-based recipe. The smoked jalapeños have a uniquely savory flavor that can easily become too overpowering. But Xochitl's Chipotle salsa strikes the perfect balance.
It has a smooth, almost hot sauce-like texture that's versatile enough to serve as a dip or to drizzle over any vegetable or protein. But whatever you do, don't eat it with Xochitl-brand tortilla chips (check out our favorite alternatives here).
Best Sweet And Spicy Salsa: Desert Pepper Peach Mango
We love a fruit-forward salsa as much as the next person, but typically it's a style of salsa that we prefer to make from scratch. Jarred fruit salsas can barely compete with the brightness of fresh produce. The Peach Mango salsa from Desert Pepper Trading Company, though? Definitely worth it.
The peach and mango offer a sweet, almost floral compliment to the tomatoes. The use of not one but three different chili peppers brings some much needed earthiness without making the salsa too spicy.
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