Instant Pot Salsa Verde
This Instant Pot Salsa Verde is a quick, vibrant, and tangy Mexican-inspired sauce made with fresh tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, garlic, cilantro, and lime. Using the Instant Pot ensures a perfectly balanced salsa that’s bright, zesty, and ready in under 30 minutes — ideal for tacos, enchiladas, grilled meats, or chips.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs tomatillos husked and rinsed
- 2 –3 jalapeños or serranos adjust for heat
- 1 medium onion quartered
- 3 –4 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves packed
- Juice of 1 lime about 2 tbsp
- 1 tsp kosher salt adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil optional, for richer flavor
- ½ tsp ground cumin optional
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: Remove husks from tomatillos, rinse well to remove stickiness, and trim jalapeños. Quarter onion and peel garlic.
- Optional Sauté: Turn on Sauté mode in the Instant Pot. Add olive oil and onions; cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds, then turn off Sauté.
- Add Ingredients: Place tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic in the pot. Pour in chicken broth or water.
- Pressure Cook: Seal lid, set valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Quick Release: Carefully perform a quick release. Use tongs to transfer vegetables to a blender, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
- Blend: Add cilantro, lime juice, salt, and cumin (if using). Blend until smooth. Add reserved liquid as needed for consistency.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste and add more lime, salt, or cilantro if desired.
- Serve: Pour into a serving bowl. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
- torage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Mild Version: Remove seeds and membranes from the chiles before cooking.
- Smoky Flavor: Broil or roast tomatillos and jalapeños before pressure cooking.
- Creamy Variation: Blend in one ripe avocado for a smooth, creamy salsa verde.
- Uses: Perfect for tacos, enchiladas, chips, grilled meats, or as a salad dressing base.