Over the past year, experiment with a variety of foods and write about them for Taste Off Series has become one of my favorite things to do. Friends keep asking, What flavor will you try next? and volunteer to participate blind taste test to find the best of any category next. Continuous product testing really highlights differences that I might not have noticed. I really love the process and experiment, and it’s always been a great experience. At least, it has been… until now.
When I think about trying flavors and finding the best bottled salsa from the store, I think it’s going to be tough. I’m Texan anyway, and I grew up surrounded by the best salsas, both fresh and locally bottled. (Any Texan knows the option at HEB is the top tier, and you guys have tried it This brand went viral on Twitter?) Since moving to the Midwest after college, real deal salsa has been harder to come by, and my appreciation for the good stuff has only increased.
However, when I searched for salsas from the shops around me, I was less than impressed. This may be the first time I find myself at odds with my taste testers. But of course, that’s why I didn’t taste it in a vacuum. I want to get the most honest and unbiased feedback I can get when I try different products. Because as we all know, everyone’s preferences and tastes are different – and that couldn’t be more true when trying to determine the best salsa thickener on the market.
While I may disagree with my eight taste testers’ rankings, I’ve included our notes so you can make the best and informed salsa decisions. And because there’s so much going back and forth, I need to know where your results are. Let the taste test begin.
Rank guardians to find the best Jarred Salsa music
Salsas come in a variety of textures, flavors, and seasonings. For this flavor, we stick with the products listed as Average Chunky. We felt that medium spice was the best segment for testing purposes and that having chewiness instead of a smooth texture was also important in the evaluation. So when it comes to a “classic” thick salsa, here are the guidelines we use to rank the best thick salsa.
- Smell. When it comes to salsa, our taste testers are looking for a refreshing taste reminiscent of restaurant salsa (a tall dish) with a great heat. Points will be awarded if the salsa is too sour or too sour, or if the tomatoes cover too much of the flavor.
- Structure. An important note: not everyone likes salsa dai. I like the texture, but I don’t want the blocks to feel separate from each other. Sliced tomatoes, onions and peppers should not taste raw and should have a nice overall texture to enhance the experience. No one likes watery salsa.
- Double Dip . Test. Do you dip your chips in salsa? Is the salsa good enough to come back for a few seconds? These are important questions.
For a true comparison, all salsa are tasted on their own, right from the spoon. And of course, nothing goes well with salsa better than corn chips.
People who are not so great
Many of the bottom-ranked salsas for our taste drew similar notes from our testers. And we all of agree (yes, even me!) when it comes to our apprehensions. Here’s what we found:
- The name of the chain of stores Trader Joe’s salsa is sour and watery when compared to other varieties.
- Silver Star was another overshoot, as its claim of ‘restaurant style’ doesn’t feel right (plus, it has the most watery texture of the salsas chosen).
- Food for the locals still ok, but the taste is a bit off. Testers note that this may be due to the fact it comes in ‘garden varieties’ with the addition of celery and bell peppers.
- Tostito’s In the end, it ranked low with a bland and slightly acidic taste, although testers did note a slight heat on the backend which they liked.
- And while Good and Gather has a bit more spice than Tostito, tasted even though it was almost too tomato.
Overall, the final raters fell short of the areas our taste testers were really looking for. Not so great in taste, not so great in texture, and no double hit.
The runner-up
Two of the most jarring salsa contenders fell somewhere between not so great and pretty good. Whole Foods 365 lands in the middle for its texture, although there are notes from taste testers who are looking for more spice and flavor. Green mountant is a real runner-up because of its complex flavor. It smokes more than any other salsas and overall has a flavor that everyone loves.
So, the best Jarred Salsa?
3. Late July organic salsa, thick and chewy
Overall, I think this salsa is ok. Our taste-checkers all noted that this was a really good basic salsa that ticked the boxes they were looking for. While no one was particularly blown away by it, it’s one of those things we all keep coming back to in seconds and thirds. This is also the salsa option for those personal testers who don’t like salsa dai but think it’s a good choice. This jar received top comments for being a great salsa to have on hand.
2. Desert Pepper Cantina Medium Salsa
I really enjoyed this salsa. While it’s not overly spicy, the flavor is well-balanced and smooth compared to some of its more tart or tart flavors. Taste testers note that they like to add a little heat to warm up the salsa, though some of our Midwest testers who aren’t particularly keen on seasoning found it perfect. . The texture is also quite good compared to other salsas. We actually finished the tasting bowl of salsa on the table! Solid mark on flavor and texture, though it could still use a bit more.
1. Pace Medium Chunky Salsa
Yep, I was just as shocked as you. Maybe I didn’t give this salsa what it was, but my taste-checker has consistently ranked this as their favorite jarring salsa. The note mentions that this salsa has the best balance of flavor when judging the insulation and seasoning mixed with the ingredients. It’s not sour or too sour like some other salsas and has a bit of pervasive heat without being too spicy. The texture was pretty good and the whole bowl was finished by the end of the taste test. Our taste-testing panel agreed that this one earned best salsa status for simply being an exceptionally comprehensive selection.
After trying all the salsas I could get here in Chicago, I’ve concluded that the only way to get the good stuff is to ship my favorite salsas from Texas. That’s right, my salsa-lovin heart knows no bounds, and I can’t wait for that satisfying first dip in Hello to Mark’s Good Stuff and Clint’s from HEB. I also have plans in the future to sell other flavored varieties like green, corn and chipotle salsas. And I’ll share with you this pro tip: Try buying salsas from your favorite local restaurant. Because let’s be honest, like the best of traditional salsa, it can’t beat homemade.
Do you agree with our taste testers? Share your signature salsa with us in the comments!
