Creamy Tomatillo Salsa with Chile de Árbol
This creamy tomatillo salsa blends chile de árbol, garlic, and toasted pine nuts into a rich, pourable, flavor-packed sauce.
Ingredients
- 7-10 fresh tomatillos husked, about 1 pound
- 1 large onion white or yellow, halved
- 6 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 dried chile de árbol adjust to heat preference
- 1.5 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth and omit bouillon cube
- 1 vegan bouillon cube
- ¼–½ cup pine nuts toasted
- 1 teaspoon sea salt adjust to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne optional
Instructions
- Add tomatillos, onion, garlic, chile de árbol, water, and bouillon to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatillos are soft and turn to a muted, pale green.
- Meanwhile, while the salsa simmers, toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over low heat. Stir often until golden and fragrant (about 3–5 minutes). Be careful - they toast quickly!
- Transfer the entire tomatillo mixture to a blender. Add toasted pine nuts, salt, and cayenne (if using). Start on low speed, then gradually increase to high and blend for 30–60 seconds, until completely smooth and creamy (be careful, it's hot!).
- Taste and adjust if needed with more salt, cayenne, or a splash of lime juice if desired. Blend again to combine if needed. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pine nuts: Use ¼ cup for a lighter, more tangy salsa with just a hint of creaminess. Use ½ cup if you want a richer, silkier texture and a more pronounced nutty flavor. I usually go somewhere in between.
- Blending: Let hot liquids cool 5–10 minutes if needed. Vent the lid (remove the center cap if possible) and cover with a towel to prevent steam buildup and splattering.
- Blender speed: If your blender isn't very powerful, pause and scrape down the sides, then blend again until the texture is velvety with no visible bits.
Nutrition
Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 759mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
