Fresh Peach Basil Salsa

The flavors of summer come together in this fresh peach basil salsa.

This recipe is pure summer — fresh peaches from the farmers' market and basil straight from my herb garden.

I have to admit when I started out to make this recipe I was going to add jalapenos to it. But I didn't have any. So I made it without and I really liked the delicate flavor of the peaches and basil. I used just a hint of onion so it wouldn't overpower the salsa.

I'm a huge fan of fish and fruit. And this fresh peach basil salsa recipe is perfect for seafood. Try it with your favorite grilled fish. Or with grilled chicken or pork. And savor the taste of summer.

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Ingredients Needed

• Sweet onion - just a teaspoon of diced sweet onion adds a mild bite to the salsa which pairs well with the sweetness of the peaches.
• Fresh lime juice - adds acidity to the salsa and helps intensify all the flavors.
• Fresh peaches - 2 ripe, peeled and pitted juicy peaches for the base of this fruity salsa.
• Fresh basil - chopped, will add a hint of herbal spiciness.
• Sea salt - to taste

How To Make Fresh Peach Salsa

1. Combine the diced onion, lime juice, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Peel, pit, and dice the peaches.
3. Add peaches and basil to the onion mixture and toss lightly. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Can I Use Frozen Or Canned Peaches?

For this salsa, fresh is the way to go!

You'll want to avoid store-bought canned peaches because they're usually swimming in a thick artificially sweetened syrup full of preservatives. The only exception would be if you can find peaches packed in water with no added sugar or home-canned peaches with no added sugar.

Frozen peaches, even when thawed, won't have the texture, moisture or taste that makes this salsa a delicious and juicy treat.

Which Variety Of Peach Should I Use?

There are countless varieties of peaches worldwide, but in our grocery stores, farmer's markets and roadside stands, we usually view them as either yellow peaches or white peaches.

• Yellow: Yellow peaches have the familiar yellow-orange-pinkish tint to them on the outside as well as when you cut into them and view the juicy flesh. They have a pronounced peachy flavor and are excellent for salsa since their flavor will remain on display and not get lost when paired with other sweet or spicy ingredients.
• White: White peaches have a more muted exterior color as well as a lighter shade of interior flesh. However, white peaches exhibit a more delicate flavor that's a little sweeter and more succulent. They're perfect on their own, sliced over desserts, and make a lovely salsa that pairs well with other fruits and herbs.
• You can use either freestone or clingstone peaches, but freestone peaches will be easier to remove from the pit and cut up.

How To ChooseThe Perfect Peach

You'll need to hold each of them to determine their level of ripeness and give them a little sniff.

• Touch: If a peach is hard, it's not ripe yet. If it's too soft and bruises easily, it's over-ripe and its flesh will be mushy. What you're feeling for is a subtle softness when you apply a little squeeze.
• Smell: Peaches that are not yet ripe emit little to no smell. Peaches that are over-ripe will be overly fragrant. They're also most likely to be blemished, bruised and very soft to the touch. You're trying to detect a pleasant peachy smell coming from a peach that's free of blemishes.
• If you've found a sweet-smelling peach with a little give to it when gently squeezed, you've found a ripe peach perfect for homemade salsa.

Variations And Swaps

• Peaches: If you're running low on peaches or don't have any that are ripe, try adding mango instead for a peach mango salsa. These two fruits pair well together, so it's a win-win! You could also sub nectarines.
• Onion: For a stronger and spicier flavor, try a purple or red onion.
• Herbs: Swap out the basil for fresh cilantro or mint.
• Lime juice: Lemon juice is perfectly fine to use in place of the lime. In a pinch, you could also substitute a dash of apple cider vinegar.

Add-Ins

If you want to amp up the flavor profile as well as make this salsa a little more robust, consider adding one or more of the following to this fresh peach salsa.

• Diced jalapeno pepper: add as much or as little to suit your level of spiciness. Be sure and remove the seeds before dicing.
• Diced green or red bell pepper: adds a little crunch and mild sweetness, depending on which color of bell pepper you use.
• Diced cucumber: adds a fresh, crisp crunch and flavor.
• Diced avocado: adds a creamy texture and mild flavor.
• Diced strawberries: adds another level of fruity sweetness.
• Diced pineapple: adds a tropical sweetness.
• Spice: add a little homemade chili powder with cumin, sweet and hot smoked paprika and garlic
• Zest: add a little zest from your lime or lemon for a little extra citrus flavor and texture.

Pro Tips

• Dice: Dice up all the ingredients into small pieces. Salsa is usually a scoopable condiment, so you want to chop the ingredients small enough that they'll be able to fit on a chip or be spooned easily on top of something.
• Sit: If possible, make this salsa ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge for an hour or so. This allows the flavors to deepen and be even more tasty when you serve it.

How To Serve Peach Salsa

As with most salsas, this one is scoopable, so feel free to use your favorite grain-free tortilla chips or crackers for a different appetizer option.

Peach salsa is a wonderful topping to serve with chicken, pork or salmon. Try it on a fish taco.

This salsa is amazing as a topping or mix-in for a simple green salad.

How To Store Peach Salsa

Make sure you store the salsa in a glass jar or container with a tight fitting lid. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This salsa is not freezer friendly.

Peach Recipes Perfect For Summer

Want more fresh summer peach recipe ideas? Here are 5 easy peach recipes to try.

• Peach Blueberry Crisp
• Peach Muffin Recipe
• Peach Coconut Milk Smoothie
• Peaches with Macadamias and Honey
• Peach BBQ Sauce