Whatever your spice preference is, there’s a salsa for you.
Alexandra Shytsman
There’s a reason salsa is a popular condiment.
Whether you prefer it spicy or mild, chunky or smooth, salsa is a definite crowd-pleaser.
Photo:Alexandra Shytsman
“Choosing salsa as a condiment is a great way to up your vegetable intake.
To narrow the field, we anonymously taste-tested 26 products that met our nutrition parameters.
We found that Green Mountain Gringo was the best option overall.
Alexandra Shytsman
The mild salsa, which features tomatillos and pasilla peppers, was praised for its balanced acidity.
The medium salsa is also made with pasilla peppers and gets its subtle heat from jalapenos.
Plus, the texture of the salsa had good chunks of peppers, tomato and onion.
Alexandra Shytsman
Nutrition info for Green Mountain Gringo Mild Salsa, per 2-Tbsp.
Nutrition info for Nature’s Promise Organic Mild Salsa, per 2-Tbsp.
This product stood out to our testers for its minimal spice, yet tasty flavor.
Alexandra Shytsman
One tester called the product a crowd-pleaser, and you’ll agree after the first bite.
The chunks of tomato and pepper were clear in each scoop.
Nutrition info for O Organics Chunky Salsa Mild, per 2-Tbsp.
Alexandra Shytsman
Another tester thought the heat built slowly, so it didn’t overwhelm her palate after the first bite.
The subtle heat is achieved with jalapenos and cayenne pepper.
Aside from the heat, the consistency of the salsa also stood out.
Alexandra Shytsman
Nutrition info for Trader Joe’s Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa, per 2-Tbsp.
Green Mountain Gringo is sure to be a winner at any spice level.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, Nature’s Promise Organic Mild Salsa is an excellent choice.
For the taste test, an anonymous tasting was set up.
We took notes commenting on the taste, consistency and heat level.
Limiting sodium is also important if you’re trying to follow a heart-healthy diet.
Our Expertise
Alex Loh is the associate food editor atEatingWell.
She has over four years of experience with the brand.
The testers included registered dietitians and food editors.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Sodium in Your Diet.
American Heart Association.Heart-Check Food Certification Program Nutrition Requirements.
