
A fresh, creamy avocado poblano salsa with serrano peppers, lime, cilantro, and tomatoes. Blend it smooth or leave it slightly chunky for chips, tacos, grilled chicken, and fish.
For a milder salsa, remove the serrano seeds and membranes or use one serrano instead of two.
Keep the salsa slightly textured rather than blending it completely smooth if you want it to cling to tortilla chips.
Drain the tomatoes well. Extra tomato liquid can make the salsa watery and dilute the avocado and poblano flavour.
Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before refrigerating to slow avocado browning.
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Seed and roughly chop the poblanos, serranos, and green bell pepper. Chop the onion and lettuce, peel the garlic, dice the avocado, and squeeze the lime juice.
Add the poblano, serrano, avocado, garlic, cilantro, bell pepper, onion, lettuce, lime juice, and water to a blender or food processor. Blend until creamy with a little texture remaining. Add a splash more water only if the blades need help moving.
Transfer the blended salsa to a bowl and fold in the drained diced tomatoes. Taste and adjust the lime or serrano to suit. Chill for 20 to 30 minutes before serving if you have time.
Serve with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables. Refrigerate in an airtight container and use within 2 days for the best avocado colour and flavour.
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Everything you want to know about this recipe.
This creamy avocado salsa combines poblano and serrano peppers with ripe avocado, cilantro, lime, and tomatoes. The poblanos provide a green pepper flavour without the sharp heat of using only serranos, while avocado gives the salsa body and a smooth, cooling finish.
The tomatoes are folded in after blending rather than processed with the other ingredients. That keeps their flavour fresh and gives the salsa a more useful contrast of creamy and chunky textures.
Avocado makes the blended base naturally creamy, so there is no need for sour cream or mayonnaise. Lime keeps the flavour bright and helps balance the avocado, while the small amount of lettuce adds moisture and volume without dominating the peppers.
The recipe uses drained canned tomatoes for consistency and convenience. They add acidity, colour, and tomato flavour without the excess liquid that can make a blended salsa thin. If you use fresh tomatoes, remove their watery seeds before dicing.
Poblano peppers are usually mild, but serranos vary. For moderate heat, keep some of the serrano membranes. For a milder salsa, remove the membranes and seeds or replace one serrano with extra poblano or green bell pepper.
Blend briefly if you want a dip with small pieces, or process longer for a smoother taco sauce. Taste after the tomatoes are folded in because their acidity can make the salsa seem less hot and less salty.
Serve the salsa with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled chicken, fish, scrambled eggs, or roasted vegetables. It also works as a fresh topping for rice and bean bowls. Add it just before serving so the avocado stays bright and the tomatoes retain their texture.
Refrigerate the salsa in an airtight container and use it within 2 days. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to reduce contact with air and slow browning. Stir before serving. Freezing is not recommended because the avocado and tomatoes become watery after thawing.
The estimate is for approximately 1/2 cup per serving and includes the avocado and tomatoes. Actual values vary with the size of the avocado, the amount of water used, and the sodium content of the canned tomatoes.
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
* Reference intakes are based on an average adult's 8,400 kJ / 2,000 kcal diet. Your needs may be higher or lower.
It has a moderate fresh heat from the serranos. Remove their seeds and membranes, or use one serrano, for a milder salsa.
Yes. Make it up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface. The colour may darken slightly over time.
Serve it with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled chicken, fish, eggs, roasted vegetables, or grain bowls.
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5 ratings
How would you rate this recipe?
I used one seeded serrano for a milder batch and added the second one the next time. The heat guide is helpful and the lime keeps it fresh.
The drained tomatoes made a big difference. The salsa stayed creamy but still had enough texture for tortilla chips.
Two serranos gave it a lively kick without hiding the poblano flavour. I served it with grilled chicken and everyone asked for the recipe.
Loved it! So refreshing and just the right amount of spice. Will definitely make again.
Great flavor! I added a little extra lime juice for more tang.
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