As Americans, some of our favorite snacks are chips and dip. Whether you’re gathering around with friends or watching the big game, chips and salsa are a staple in homes around the country. If you’re wondering which is the best salsa for entertaining or just snacking, then you’re in the right place. One thing is for sure, don’t double-dip the chip!

The saying made famous on an episode of Seinfeld has never been more true. Double0dipping your chips is just plain gross, but is it enough to warrant breaking off a relationship? A recent study suggests that bad food habits are certainly grounds for breaking up with someone or ending a date early.  In the survey of 2,000 Americans, nearly 45 percent of men and 25 percent of women say that someone’s bad food habits are enough to ask for the check sooner than later.

Of the 2,000 respondents, nearly 70 percent say that talking with a mouth full of food is the top offense, while chewing loudly or with an open mouth are also atop the list of the most annoying food habits. 

Annoying food habits aside, some people prefer to skip the chips altogether and just enjoy a jar of dip or salsa. If enjoying your favorite salsa straight from the jar sounds appealing to you, we want you to know that you’re not alone. According to another survey, nearly 70 percent of adults claim to enjoy their favorite dips and salsas straight from the jar, without chips for dipping. That’s some serious love of dips. 

So what kinds of salsa are nacho chip lovers getting into these days? We put together a list of the consensus best salsa products on the shelves. For our list, we consulted 10 food review websites in an effort to find the best salsa. As always, feel free to share your choices for the best salsa with us in the comments section below. 

The List: Best Salsa For 2023, According To Experts

1. Green Mountain Gringo All Natural Medium Salsa

Coming in at the top spot on the list of best salsa is Green Mountain Gringo All Natural Medium Salsa. This salsa came in the top five across more than half of the lists we referenced and even managed the top spot a couple of times. Green Mountain Gringo All Natural makes a range of salsas to fit your taste and spice tolerance. 

“Green Mountain Gringo was a favorite at every spice level with our testers. The salsas stood out in mild, medium and hot varieties, with each salsa having its own unique and delicious flavor,” writes Eating Well. 

“I had honestly never tried this brand before this taste test and was gobsmacked by not only its flavor intensity but also complexity. It’s going to really appeal to all of you pepper lovers who crave subtle-but-not-overpowering heat in a salsa. Just be sure to introduce it to a family member or guest before dousing their dish with it,” writes Today. 

And one of the reasons this salsa is a little surprising at first is that it uses a non-traditional ingredient in the recipe. 

“If you are looking for a scorching flavor profile, you won’t find it here. What you will find is a very yummy salsa that is a little unique. At first bite, you get some initial sweetness followed quickly by the right amount of acidity. The acidity comes from the use of apple cider vinegar rather than traditional lime juice,” adds Mashed. 

2. Tostitos Chunky Medium Salsa

Coming in next on the list of best salsa is Tostitos Chunky Medium Salsa. This national brand is one of the best salsas for a reason, it’s really good. Tostitos Chunky salsa littered the tops of the lists we consulted, making it an undeniable choice for the best salsa options. 

“When it comes to more rustic or chunky salsas, you can’t beat this snack aisle classic. Tostitos Chunky Salsa has great texture along with visible chunks of tomato, green pepper and onion,” writes Taste of Home. 

We know it’s a mainstream brand without the frills and lace but, according to the experts, Tostitos is just plain good. 

“I am not exaggerating when I say that out of all the salsas on this list, Tostitos produced the first empty bowl at a happy hour that I hosted. People like what they like and apparently that’s a recognizable brand that delivers on consistently well-rounded taste and chunky texture,” adds Today. 

Although it’s not the most sophisticated salsa you’ll find, the experts agree that Tostitos Chunky is a real crowd-pleasing option. 

“But it delivers a nice consistency, a touch of acidity, and a gentle yet peppery heat. In other words, it’s perfect for game day, your Cinco de Mayo party, or whenever you feel like grabbing a jar and a bag of chips to hang out on the couch and binge on whatever is binge-worthy this week,” writes Mashed. 

3. Herdez Salsa Verde

Next up on the list of best salsa is Herdez Salsa Verde. Herdez is a lesser-known brand that offers an array of salsas and other ingredients centered around Hispanic cuisine. We’re here to warn you, Herdez isn’t afraid to turn up the heat and some of its products can be quite spicy. Luckily, Herdez Salsa Verde is one of its milder options. 

“Salsa doesn’t have to be red to be delicious. Don’t hesitate to go green with Herdez’s ubiquitous Salsa Verde. Sure, you might be tempted to spice things up but this mild salsa is a classic for good reasons,” explains Mashed. 

Still, Herdez strives to offer authentic cuisine and it shows in the salsa verde.  “For the most authentic green salsa at the store, you need to check out Herdez Salsa Verde. This salsa verde isn’t usually the one you’ll grab a tortilla chip and dive into, but you can if you want. It’s made with serrano chiles, onions, garlic, tomatillos, and citric acid for a tangy flavor that’s great on burritos, enchiladas, and more,” writes Restaurant Clicks. 

This salsa verde is perhaps the best option for anyone looking to spice up a taco or enchilada night at home. 

“And while Herdez Salsa Verde is rightfully labeled as mild, the chili peppers’ authenticity and gentle heat will have you picturing yourself back in your abuela’s kitchen. Chicken enchiladas just aren’t chicken enchiladas unless it’s being smothered by this stuff,” adds Mashed. 

4. Desert Pepper Trading Co. Cantina Medium Salsa

Coming in fourth on the list of best salsa is Desert Pepper Trading Co. Cantina Medium Salsa. Desert Pepper Trading Co. does an excellent job of balancing heat and flavor, something that’s tough to do with salsa. 

“While it wasn’t super spicy, the flavor was balanced and smooth compared to some of its more acidic or sour counterparts. Taste testers noted that they wanted a little more heat to punch up the salsa, though some of our Midwestern testers who weren’t particularly keen on spice thought it was perfect,” explains Camille Styles. 

“Straight from the Southwest, Desert Pepper Trading Co. cantina medium salsa is one of the best on the shelves,” adds Restaurant Clicks. 

And if you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated, Desert Pepper Trading Co. salsas have you covered there, too.

“Desert Pepper Trading Company also creates a number of other salsas and other dips worth trying, including their earthy Corn Black Bean Red Pepper Salsa and their blow-your-socks-off XXX Habanero Salsa. Their habanero variety really, really brings the heat, but all that fire still doesn’t drown out the flavors,” adds Mashed. 

5. Pace Medium Chunky

Rounding out the list of the best salsa is another chunky option, this time it’s Pace Medium Chunky. Pace got plenty of love from the critics and even stole some first-place spots from other brands. 

“Yep, I’m as shocked as you are. Perhaps I haven’t given this salsa the credit it deserves, but my taste testing panel consistently ranked this one as their favorite jarred salsa. Notes mentioned that this salsa had the best balanced flavor when it came to judging how the heat and spice mixed in with the ingredients. It wasn’t sour or too acidic like some of the other salsas and had a little bit of creeping heat without being too spicy,” writes Camille Styles. 

“I know what you’re probably thinking: “Pace? Really?” Yes, really. Hear me out: A lot of mainstream salsa brands are fearful of too much onion and vegetable content because they think it will be a deterrent for bland-diet Americans. The reality is that this jar tastes great — an awesome acidity and sharpness, but countered with just the right amount of sweetness,” adds Today. 

Still, Pace has been a staple in American pantries for generations and that doesn’t happen without being good. Aside from being tasty, Pace is also a top choice for anyone on a budget. 

“But don’t get it twisted: Affordable doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing taste. Pace has a great chunky texture with plenty of green pepper and onion throughout. The tomatoes in this salsa taste ripe and sweet—a great counterbalance to the onion,” explains Taste of Home. 

You might also be interested in:

• Best Tortilla Chips
• Best Chipotle Menu Items
• Best Taco Bell Menu Items
• Best Mayonnaise

Sources:

• Today
• Taste of Home
• Mashed
• Sporked
• Camille Styles
• Delish 
• BuzzFeed
• Restaurant Clicks
• Eating Well
• Uproxx

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.