Ingredients
1/2 cup neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or sunflower)
10-12 dried Guajillo chiles, stemmed and deseeded
20-25 dried Arbol chiles, stemmed (remove seeds for less heat)
4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup peanuts (raw or unsalted roasted)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup of the neutral oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the Guajillo chiles and Arbol chiles. Fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and slightly puffed. Be careful not to burn them, as this will make the salsa bitter. Remove chiles immediately with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.
Step 2: In the same oil (add a splash more if needed), add the sliced garlic. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside with the chiles.
Step 3: Add the peanuts to the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until they are lightly golden brown. Remove peanuts with a slotted spoon and add to the chile and garlic mixture.
Step 4: Add the sesame seeds and pepitas to the remaining oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until they are golden and popping. Remove immediately with a slotted spoon and add to the other toasted ingredients.
Step 5: Carefully pour the remaining oil from the skillet into a heat-proof blender or food processor. Add the toasted chiles, garlic, peanuts, sesame seeds, and pepitas to the blender. Also add the apple cider vinegar and salt.
Step 6: Blend on high speed until a coarse, chunky salsa forms. You want some texture from the nuts and seeds, so avoid over-blending into a fine paste. Adjust salt to taste. If the salsa is too thick, you can add another tablespoon or two of fresh neutral oil to achieve your desired consistency.
Step 7: Transfer the Authentic Mexican Salsa Macha to a clean, airtight jar. Allow it to cool completely before sealing. Store in the refrigerator where it will keep for several weeks. Once cooled, transfer your Authentic Mexican Salsa Macha to an airtight container. I love using these Basics Glass Food Storage containers for their durability and how well they preserve freshness. Ensure the salsa is always submerged in oil for best preservation.
Notes
Always use fresh, high-quality dried chiles for the best flavor. Toasting chiles, nuts, and seeds individually prevents burning and ensures even cooking. For a smoother salsa, you can blend for a longer duration, but the traditional Authentic Mexican Salsa Macha has a pleasingly coarse texture. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-6 weeks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg