Top Salsa Picks: A Flavorful Journey Through the Best of the Best

By: Emma Travers

Salsa. A typical Mexican condiment which has turned into a beloved staple all throughout the World. Whether you are eating it as a topping for your Mexican meal, or with a bag of chips, salsa will never go out of style. 

Growing up, I could be sure that if I opened the fridge there would be a jar of salsa waiting to be dipped into. Sydney Koetter, my friend since kindergarten, grew up a block away from me. Everytime she would come over you can bet we were eating some good chips and salsa. But what makes a good salsa? That’s what Sydney and I set out to find.

Sydney and I went around town together to buy salsa’s and then we went home to taste test. Below is a recap of how we tested the salsa and the results.

Here's how we tested

Price: Will the salsa break the bank?

Presentation: We asked ourselves how the salsa looked after it was poured into a bowl.

Flavor: Each salsa was tasted on the same style of tortilla chip so tasting could be fair.

Spice Level: Each salsa that was tasted was the mild version of the salsa.

Our Salsa Test Results

Fifth place, Great Value Thick and Chunky Salsa: $1.92

1.3/5

This salsa was thick enough to scoop with chips, but could easily complement a taco or burrito. There were well balanced chunks of tomatoes and onions which made for a thin but hearty texture. The salsa itself had a fresh taste, yet it still tasted too much like it was out of a jar and not given to me homemade or from the restaurant. It wasn’t very spicy which makes it perfect for those who desire a less spicy salsa, and it actually had a kind of sweet aftertaste. It definitely gave me Walmart vibes which is why it wasn’t our favorite. Overall, Great Value salsa wasn’t my favorite but it remains a solid choice for those who are wanting more of a budget friendly option.

Fourth place, Red Gold: $4.18

2.4/5

If you ever buy a school lunch that includes salsa, you will receive a small container of Red Gold salsa. If we are being honest, that is all I could think of while eating it. The salsa itself wasn’t terrible (though the price of it was) but it definitely felt like an American salsa. It was kind of sweet with a somewhat salty aftertaste. This salsa could definitely be classified as mild because there was little to no spice contained in the scoop on my chip. 

Third place, Pace Picante: $2.82

3.9/5

This one is definitely worth buying. If I am being honest it was just picked up because we needed one more salsa and Pace happened to be right in front of our eyes, so I thought I would give it a try. It definitely did not disappoint! There were light chunks and it had a great saltiness to it. This one tasted like a Mexican restaurant to me. 

Second place, Clint's Texas Salsa: $3.97

4/5

 This is one of those instances where I would bring in the “Don’t judge a book by its cover” saying. The jar (and name itself) makes it feel very American-y, which would make most people skim past it. But Clint’s deserves a spot in your fridge. The salsa itself was quite tasty with a distinct lemon flavor, it was thin and runny which makes it the perfect topping for a good burrito. It had a very low spice level but connected well with my tortilla chip. I would definitely recommend it.

First place, Trader Joe’s Salsa Autentica: $1.79

4.6/5

When I ate the chips full of Trader Joe's salsa, it made me feel like I was eating homemade salsa at a local hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. When I say I grew up eating salsa it was typically this one, so I am a little bit biased but Sydney would agree. The thin and runniness makes it an excellent choice to dip into. It also has more of a kick to it for those wanting to find a more tangy option. For being as cheap as it is I am going to need to go back and load up a cart full.

After testing a variety of salsas, it’s clear that Trader Joe’s Salsa Autentica stands out from all the others. While each brand is unique in its own way, Trader Joe’s is distinct for its balance of flavor, authenticity and affordability. Whether you are enjoying it with chips, tacos, or any other dish, this salsa is hard to beat. 

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