SALSA FALSA aka: Guacasalsa - The Creamy Green Salsa Without Avocado
Bright green creamy salsa falsa made with tomatillo, zucchini, and serrano chiles, shown on a tortilla chip.
Salsa Falsa Recipe – Smooth, Spicy & Addictively Deceptive
Intro
What if I told you one of the creamiest, most addictive green salsas doesn’t even have avocado?
This is Salsa Falsa - or “false salsa” - named for the way it tricks you into thinking there’s something rich or fatty in it when it’s really just tomatillo, zucchini, oil, and heat.
It’s a perfect example of Mexican ingenuity: using humble vegetables and good technique to create something that tastes way more luxurious than it should. The zucchini softens the sharpness of the tomatillo, the serranos bring the heat, and the slow fry of onion and garlic ties it all together.
Once it’s blended, you get this bright, smooth, slightly nutty green sauce that works on everything from tacos and roasted meats to grilled veggies or a simple bowl of chips.
Why This Salsa Falsa Works
🥑 No Avocado, No Problem → Creamy texture without any dairy or avocado.
🌶 Balanced Heat → Serranos bring just the right punch.
🥒 Smart Use of Veggies → Zucchini adds silkiness and body.
🔥 Mexican Ingenuity at Its Finest → Simple ingredients, big payoff.
Ingredients
YIELD: 3 cups
To Boil:
300 g water (about 1 ¼ cups)
355 g tomatillos, whole (about 6–7 medium tomatillos)
130 g zucchini, cut into tomatillo-sized pieces (about 1 small zucchini)
To Fry:
150 g neutral oil (about ⅔ cup)
175 g serrano chiles, stems removed (about 12–14 chiles)
125 g white onion, large dice (about ½ large onion)
70 g garlic, whole cloves peeled (about 12 cloves)
70 g cilantro (about 1 small bunch, leaves and tender stems)
10 g Diamond Crystal kosher salt (about 2 tsp)
Instructions
1️⃣ Boil the Veggies
In a pot, add water, tomatillos, and zucchini. Cover and cook over medium heat until tender (about 15 minutes). Remove from water, discard liquid, and set aside the vegetables.
2️⃣ Fry the Aromatics
In a sauté pan, combine oil, serranos, onion, and garlic. Turn heat to medium and cook while stirring until everything is golden and tender (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and cool at room temp.
3️⃣ Blend Until Smooth
In a blender, combine boiled tomatillos and zucchini with the fried mixture, cilantro, and salt. Purée on high until super creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Tips & Tricks
🥒 Texture Control → Blend longer for a smoother salsa, or pulse for a rustic finish.
🔥 Spice Adjustment → Use fewer serranos or swap in jalapeños for less heat.
🌮 Pairing Idea → Incredible on tacos, grilled chicken, or over rice bowls.
🫙 Storage → Keep in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tools I Used
Make It & Show Me
If you make this salsa falsa, tag me @goatboyintl — I’d love to see how you use it!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us!
