What is the best jarred salsa, according to chefs?

MyTastr’s top pick is Herdez Salsa Casera, chosen by Michelle Bernstein (La Cañita, Miami); Cord Chatham (Amara Resort, Sedona). The brand Mexican chefs reach for most. Bernstein: “I love Herdez Guacamole Salsa.” Omar Ramirez of Macizo: “Herdez salsas stand out because they don’t taste engineered… closer to something you’d make at home.”

What are the other top picks for jarred salsa?

No. 2 is Frontera Salsa, chosen by Richard Sandoval (chef and restaurateur, Denver). No. 3 is Siete Salsa (Mild Salsa Roja), chosen by Jenner Tomaska (Esmé, Chicago).

How does MyTastr choose these picks?

Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot.

Best jarred salsa, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Cord Chatham, Michelle Bernstein, Isaac Bernal Carbajo, Kate Ramos and 11 more. Recommendations come from foodandwine.com, allrecipes.com, eatthis.com and simplyrecipes.com and 2 other sources.

Condiments · The ranking

1
Top pick
Herdez Salsa Casera
Chosen by
- Michelle BernsteinLa Cañita, Miami
- Cord ChathamAmara Resort, Sedona
Also chosen by
- Omar Ramirez · Macizo source ↗
- Ricardo Mirón · Toro, Denver source ↗
- Isaac Bernal Carbajo · Chef · Representation of Spain to the UN source ↗
- Alejandra Graf · Cookbook author, AleCooks source ↗
- Kate Ramos · Cookbook author, ¡Hola! Jalapeño source ↗
- Maggie Unzueta · Mama Maggie’s Kitchen source ↗
- Therese Buchanan · Tessie’s Table source ↗
The brand Mexican chefs reach for most. Bernstein: “I love Herdez Guacamole Salsa.” Omar Ramirez of Macizo: “Herdez salsas stand out because they don’t taste engineered… closer to something you’d make at home.”
Where to buy · salsas.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: foodandwine.com ↗
2
Frontera Salsa
Chosen by
- Richard SandovalChef and restaurateur, Denver
Also chosen by
- Kieron Hales · Zingerman’s Cornman Farms source ↗
- Jason Tilford · Mission Taco Joint source ↗
- Robert Carr · La Cantera source ↗
- Isaac Bernal Carbajo · Chef · Representation of Spain to the UN source ↗
Sandoval: “These salsas are well-balanced and feel true to the flavors they’re meant to highlight.” Kieron Hales on the Roasted Tomato: “The roasted flavor adds a depth that feels homemade.”
Where to buy · fronterafoods.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: allrecipes.com ↗
3
Siete Salsa (Mild Salsa Roja)
Chosen by
- Jenner TomaskaEsmé, Chicago
Also chosen by
- Mike Arendt · Cantina 76, Greenville source ↗
Clean ingredients: roasted tomatoes, jalapeños, onion, garlic, cilantro. Tomaska: “At home, we only use one brand based on its ingredients.” Mike Arendt of Cantina 76: “My go-to is Siete salsa… It tastes closer to something you’d make at home.”
Where to buy · sietefoods.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: allrecipes.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best jarred salsa, according to chefs?: MyTastr’s top pick is Herdez Salsa Casera, chosen by Michelle Bernstein (La Cañita, Miami); Cord Chatham (Amara Resort, Sedona). The brand Mexican chefs reach for most. Bernstein: “I love Herdez Guacamole Salsa.” Omar Ramirez of Macizo: “Herdez salsas stand out because they don’t taste engineered… closer to something you’d make at home.” Source: foodandwine.com ↗
What are the other top picks for jarred salsa?: No. 2 is Frontera Salsa, chosen by Richard Sandoval (chef and restaurateur, Denver). No. 3 is Siete Salsa (Mild Salsa Roja), chosen by Jenner Tomaska (Esmé, Chicago). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?: Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

More condiments

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