I love dishes that have sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. One such side I recently tasted was Chipotle’s roasted chili corn salsa.

This salsa is primarily made with sweet corn and features a blend of red onions, jalapeños, and charred poblano peppers. It’s tossed with a squeeze of lime juice and garnished with fresh cilantro. The best part is that it’s both a visual delight and a flavorful treat.
Everything you taste is visible to your eyes, and no secret ingredient is added. It’s a simple dish, yet it’s bursting with vibrant flavors.
As a result, recreating this salsa at home was surprisingly effortless. With its straightforward ingredients and simple preparation method, I found that it required minimal effort to achieve the same delicious flavors and vibrant freshness that make it so delightful.
So, here I am with this copycat recipe for Chipotle’s roasted chili corn salsa, which will surely become your family favorite. Let’s dive into the recipe, and with a few tips and tricks, you will be able to achieve the right balance of flavors in this delectable salsa.
Equipment Required
- Small Bowls: I use small bowls to assemble all the ingredients before starting with the recipe.
- Large Bowl: You will need a large bowl to make this salsa.
- Spoon: I use a spoon to mix all the ingredients.
- Sharp Knife: You will need a sharp knife to chop the onion, cilantro, and jalapenos.
- Chopping Board: While I use a wooden one, you can also use a plastic or glass board, depending on your convenience.
- Dipping Bowl: You can use any small bowl, but I use a dipping bowl to serve this salsa.
Chipotle Roasted Chilli Corn Salsa Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make two servings. However, you can adjust the ingredients’ quantities per your requirements.
- 1 Cup Corn: While Chipotle uses frozen white corn, you can also use fresh boiled corn. Corn can also be replaced by legumes like chickpeas or black beans in this salsa.
- 2 Tablespoons Onion: Chipotle uses red onions as they have a milder and sweeter taste. You can also use white onions or chives as an alternative in this recipe.
- 1 Teaspoon Jalapeno: I generally use serrano peppers if I’m out of jalapenos.
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice: Vinegar can also be used in place of lemon juice.
- 1 Tablespoon Roasted Poblano Pepper: You can replace the poblano peppers in this salsa with charred green bell or Anaheim peppers.
- 1 Teaspoon Salt: In this recipe, you can substitute Himalayan Pink salt, kosher salt, or black salt for regular salt.
- ½ Teaspoon Lime juice: If you want your salsa a little sweeter, you can substitute grapefruit or orange juice instead of lime juice.
- 2 Tablespoons Cilantro: I sometimes add fresh parsley or Thai basil to this salsa.
Preparation And Cooking Time
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|---|
15 Minutes | 10 Minutes | 25 Minutes |
How To Make Chipotle Roasted Chilli Corn Salsa At Home
Step 1
Add frozen corn kernels to a large bowl.
Step 2
Next, add chopped onion to the corn.
Step 3
Now add roasted poblano pepper and ½ tsp lime juice to the mixture.
Step 4
Add jalapenos and salt as per taste.
Step 5
Add lemon juice as per taste and mix everything until well combined.
Step 6
Garnish it with cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- Since this recipe involves spicy peppers, I use gloves while making this salsa. This prevents me from the spice burn that the spicy juices from the peppers can cause.
- This salsa can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. Therefore, I usually make it one day in advance and refrigerate it.
- Once the salsa is prepared, I let it rest for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
- Since my spice tolerance level is a little low, I scrape the seeds from the peppers to get a milder flavor in my salsa. However, if you like it spicy, you can keep the seeds intact.
- This corn salsa is a versatile dish. To enhance the flavors of your salsa, you can also add some veggies like bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and mangoes.
- I generally add some grated crumbled cotija cheese to make this salsa a little creamier.
- I usually char the peppers directly on the open flame on the stove to get a nice charred taste of the pepper.
FAQs About Chipotle Roasted Chilli Corn Salsa
Nutritional Information Per Serving
This salsa is absolutely healthy and packed with nutrition. However, it might be slightly high in sodium, which is why I recommend having it in moderation.
I have also mentioned the nutritional values of the ingredients used in this recipe for your reference in the table given below:
Calories | 161 kcal |
Total Fat | 2g |
Saturated Fat | 0.3 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat | 1g |
Sodium | 2329 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 36 g |
Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
Total Sugar | 8 g |
Protein | 6 g |
Vitamin A | 550 IU |
Vitamin C | 27 mg |
Calcium | 14 mg |
Iron | 1 mg |
Potassium | 408 mg |
This recipe is suitable for people following a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or sugar-free diet.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Keto-Friendly Diet: This salsa’s main ingredient is corn, which is high in carbohydrates. Hence, it is not keto-friendly. However, corn can be replaced by legumes like chickpeas, black beans, or kidney beans to make it suitable for the keto diet.
- Sodium-Free Diet: For a sodium-free diet, you can substitute Himalayan pink salt or nu-salt with regular salt in this recipe.
Storing This Recipe
- Countertop: You can let the salsa rest on the counter for an hour so the flavors meld together.
- Refrigerator: I prefer storing the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to enjoy this salsa for a longer time. This way, they can last for about five days.
- Freezer: However, when I want this salsa to last even longer, I prefer freezing it. Before freezing, I transfer the salsa to freezer bags or an airtight container. It can last for up to 3 months when frozen. However, you need to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before consuming it.
What To Serve With This Recipe
I love this salsa, as it is similar to a corn salad. However, it can also be enjoyed with Tortillas, Nachos, Sushi etc.
You can also use this salsa as a filling for Wraps, Sandwiches, or Pizza Toppings. Due to its versatility in flavor profile, you can experiment with this salsa in many ways.
Printable Version
Chipotle Roasted Chilli Corn Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Corn
- 2 Tbsp Onion
- 1 Tsp Jalapeno
- 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tbsp Roasted Poblano Pepper
- 1 Tsp Salt
- ½ Tsp Lime juice
- 2 Tbsp Cilantro
Equipment
- Small Bowls
- Large Bowl
- Spoon
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping Board
- Dipping Bowl
Instructions
Notes
- Since this recipe involves spicy peppers, I use gloves while making this salsa. This prevents me from the spice burn that the spicy juices from the peppers can cause.
- This salsa can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. Therefore, I usually make it one day in advance and refrigerate it.
- Once the salsa is prepared, I let it rest for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
- Since my spice tolerance level is a little low, I scrape the seeds from the peppers to get a milder flavor in my salsa. However, if you like it spicy, you can keep the seeds intact.
- This corn salsa is a versatile dish. To enhance the flavors of your salsa, you can also add some veggies like bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and mangoes.
- I generally add some grated crumbled cotija cheese to make this salsa a little creamier.
- I usually char the peppers directly on the open flame on the stove to get a nice charred taste of the pepper.
Nutrition
More Chipotle Recipes That You Can Try
Conclusion
This authentic homemade version of Chipotle’s roasted chili corn salsa brings you all the flavors in one bite. With its smoky flavor from poblano pepper, sweetness from sweet corn, and tanginess from lemon juice, it will surely become your favorite in no time.
The best part of this easy salsa recipe is that it comes together quickly and is super flavorful. While it’s delicious, it also enhances the taste of any dish it accompanies. Give it a try, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!