For the past year I've been making my own salsa and have experimented many times to create unique flavors. I can no longer enjoy salsa from a jar, Its just not good enough. The reason is salsa made with fresh vegetables taste so much better. In this instructable I will share with you the steps i take to make my own salsa. Hope you have a chance to try it out and do some of your own refinements to create your own salsa.

These are the basic ingredients I use:
1-2 bell peppers (color is up to you)
1-2 miscellaneous peppers( i.e. Banana Peppers, Jalepeno Peppers, Chilli Peppers)
Half of a white onion
1 large tomato
Cilantro
I large can of diced tomatoes
1 can of rotel (pictured are rotel and a knock off brand)
Cracked pepper

Kitchen Tools:
Blender
knife
Can opener

Step 1: Step 1: Cutting the Bell Peppers

First, wash the pepper under running water.
Next, cut both the top and bottom ends off and discard them into the trash
Next, cut the pepper in half
Next, slice the halves into strips
Next, cut the strips into small cubes
Then place the cubes into a large bowl
(refer to pictures for this process)

Step 2: Step 2: Cut the Misc. Peppers

In this example I used a banana pepper

First, wash the peppers under running water
Next, cut both the top and bottom ends off and discard them into the trash
Next, cut the pepper into disks
Next, slice the discs into quarter pieces
Then place the pieces into the large bowl
(refer to pictures for this process)

Step 3: Step 3: Cut the Tomato

First, wash the tomato under running water
Next, cut both the top and bottom ends off and discard them into the trash
Next, cut the tomato into slices
Next, cut the slices into cubes
Then place the cubes into the large bowl
(refer to pictures for this process)

Step 4: Step 4: Cut the Onion

First, peel the outer layers of the onion off and discard them into the trash
Next, cut both the top and bottom ends off and discard them into the trash
Next, cut the onion in half (we will be only using one half the other can be placed in a zip lock baggy and stored)
Next, slice the onion into small squares or rectangles
Then place the pieces into the large bowl
(refer to pictures for this process)

Step 5: Step 5: Prepare the Base

First, open the large can of diced tomatoes using a can opener
Next, drain the liquid from the can***
Next, dump the contents of the can into a blender
Next, blend the diced tomatoes for 1-2 seconds
Next, pour the contents of the blender into the large bowl

***NOTE: if you like a your salsa more runny then skip this step

Step 6: Step 6: Add the Can of Rotel

In this example I bought a knock off brand of Rotel

First, open the can of Rotel using a can opener
Next, pour the contents into the large bowl. Do NOT drain the can first.

NOTE: Rotel comes in different blends I personally prefer one that includes lime juice but any blend will work it will just give a slightly different flavor to the salsa.

Step 7: Step 7: Add the Seasoning

I use to buy fresh cilantro but would only need a small amount and ended up wasting most of it so now I used dried cilantro in the form of a season shaker. Feel free to make your own decision here.

First, sprinkle in some cilantro flakes
Next, using a pepper mill add in cracked pepper I like to use close to two tablespoons worth.***
Next, thoroughly stir the contents of the large bowl.

***NOTE: If using ground pepper use only one tablespoon

Step 8: Step 9: Refrigerate

Cover the bowl using a lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

I found that refrigeration helps blend the flavors together and make the fresh ingredients crisper.