Food Hussy Recipe: Copycat Carlos O’Kellys Salsa

Right next to that delicious queso on every visit – is a bowl of their amazing salsa! And yes – I got that recipe too!!!! So now – when I go home to Iowa – I can actually try NEW places because I have the recipes for my two favorite things!!!!

You will love this salsa – it’s got a kick and it takes less than 15 minutes to put together! You should let it marinate for at least 12 hours before you serve it – so it’s best to make it the day before. I also found that using a food processor makes it so much easier. I don’t use a food processor much – so I just have a small little 3.5 cup version and it was perfect for this.

The recipe uses a large can of whole peeled tomatoes, a small onion, canned jalapenos and green chiles and some seasonings. When you’re using the food processor – be sure to pulse it and keep an eye on it – you don’t want to puree it – you still want chunkiness and texture.


Now if you don’t have a food processor – you can do this all by dicing – it’ll just be a little messier with the tomatoes. But at $40 – the mini chopper is pretty cheap! You could also probably use a blender if you chopped things in small batches. I know they make the BIG full-size restaurant version in the giant blendery thing!

I know you’re going to love this salsa recipe as much as I do! It’s not too spicy and it makes just the right amount for a party! This is PERFECT for all those March Madness parties we all have coming up!


Don’t miss out on their Copycat Chicken Fajita recipe either!  

Author: Heather JohnsonPrint Recipe

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Copycat Carlos O’Kellys Salsa

Carlos O’Kellys is my absolute favorite restaurant in Iowa – it’s American Mexican food but I love it! Their queso and salsa is the best! And I have the authentic recipes for them and am sharing them with you!!!!

prep time: 15 minscook time: total time: 15 mins

ingredients

• 1 28 oz cans of whole peeled tomatoes – drained
• 1/2 large onion, finely diced (food processor)
• 2 oz canned diced green chilies
• 1 oz canned jalapeño
• handful of cilantro leaves, finely minced
• 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 tsp salt

instructions

1. Best if you have a food processor – I just have a small KitchenAid like this
2. Chop onion into chunks and add to food processor – then add garlic, cilantro and salt – pulse until onion is minced and all cilantro is incorporated – you do NOT want to puree this!! pulse it on chop mode a half dozen times – and check often.
3. Pour onion mixture into a large bowl
4. Take drained whole tomatoes and put in food processor – pulse on chop setting the big chunks of tomato are broken up. again – you do not want to puree this but you want it more than diced.
5. Add tomatoes to onion mixture
6. Stir in chilies & jalapeño
7. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours
8. Makes 4 cups