If you are looking for a versatile dip to add some bold spice to your gathering then try the Mexican favorite; salsa.
As well as Mexicans and those who like Tex-Mex, it remains a favorite amongst those who are going for a keto-friendly, low-carbohydrate diet too.
There are other keto-friendly recipes out there yet you can have a lot of control over a homemade batch of salsa. That means looking out for fresh, keto-friendly ingredients and controlling how chunky you want it.
In this guide, we will ask; is salsa considered keto or is it too high in carbs? We will also provide a keto-friendly salsa recipe and look at the nutritional content of a batch.
Is Salsa Considered Keto Or Is It Too High In Carbs?
Salsa is considered keto-friendly due to its lack of carbohydrates and use of fresh produce. Make sure that you read the nutritional label as some brands can add in sugars and preservatives.
These are unnecessary ingredients that also mean that a particular batch, especially one from the store, will have carbohydrates.
Even tomatoes can include carbohydrates so insist on cans of whole peeled tomatoes to create a truly keto-friendly recipe.
Whatever you decide to use your salsa with may, of course, increase the concentration of carbohydrates.
Try to insist on fresh vegetables and stay away from a lot of brands of chips too. You should steer clear of adding a teaspoon of sugar to your homemade salsa too. It should taste savory and should have plenty of fresh, bold flavor.
Keto-Friendly Salsa Recipe
You only need five minutes to create a batch of keto-friendly salsa so you can make it in a hurry. This recipe creates a salsa that is both bold in flavor and has a spicy warmth to it which should impress your guests.
The diced white onion brings a freshness to the salsa and the ingredient is also good for the heart and gut. Minced garlic also works as an anti-inflammatory while adding a punch of flavor.
The Recipe
- For this recipe, add a 15oz can of whole peeled tomatoes and a third of a cup of white diced onion to a food processor.
- Add a tablespoon of minced garlic, a sliced jalapeño pepper, and half a cup of fresh cilantro leaves.
- Next, add a teaspoon of ground cumin, a generous pinch of sea salt, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Put the lid onto your blender and blitz the ingredients for a full 20 seconds, or until it is as smooth or chunky as you want.
Try to make sure you use as much of the jalapeño as suggested as it can taste mild without it which can get kinda boring. Also, jalapeño peppers are high in vitamins A and C as well as being another antioxidant so you should include them.
The fresh cilantro leaves add a freshness and a delicious smell to any batch of salsa so use it here. Furthermore, the leaves can reduce the risk of heart disease which is an added bonus.
You do not even need to cook any of the ingredients, simply blitz them together. Make sure you are liberal with the ground cumin, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sea salt too.
Try it with nachos, in enchiladas, tacos, or with chips, and burritos. Remember, you can freeze salsa and keep it for a later date, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two weeks.
The Nutritional Content Of Salsa
You may be tempted to have a Mexican night and salsa is such an easy dip to produce. It also has a great nutritional profile that should make it easier to sell to others.
While there may be salt, there should be a lack of sugar, especially in a homemade recipe.
Tomatoes are also a great ingredient for their nutritional value. That includes their vitamin C and potassium content alongside fiber which is ideal to beat hunger pangs.
Each tomato should also contain lycopene which is a phytonutrient that works as an antioxidant. If you decide to put a pepper into your salsa then you can benefit from capsaicin which can increase your metabolism.
Final Thoughts
Salsa might be the most popular dip of choice for a keto-friendly, low-carb diet. That’s largely because it proves to be so versatile and can be used in so many different recipes.
It also uses a lot of fresh produce so you know it is made of the right stuff. It is also both low in carbohydrates and calories as there should only be 5g of net carbs and 36 calories in a 100g serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should aim to be careful with your blending as you want some chunks to remain. If the salsa is too smooth it becomes less of a condiment and more of a sauce.
That’s not ideal to place on chips or in tacos as it will likely be too viscous. Try blending in five-second increments until you get the desired consistency.
If you decide to make your own hot sauce then you can make it keto-friendly. After all, the hot sauce should only include vinegar, salt, and peppers which are keto-friendly ingredients.
Should you buy it in the bottle at the store then check the ingredients list and label for any added sugars. Particularly flavored hot sauce can include fruit or sugar content which ramps up the carbohydrate content.
Try to avoid sweet chili hot sauce as you can envisage they contain plenty of added sugar. For your own homemade batch of hot sauce, try to use jalapeño peppers as each one should only contain 0.5g of net carbs.
