Difference Between Salsa vs Picante Sauce
If you are a typical foodie, you probably have traveled to many cities to check out their cuisines. With Mexican meals becoming even more popular in the US and all over the world, people now wish to know the difference between salsa and picante sauce. The reason is that both of them share a lot of similarities. So, it makes perfect sense that you cannot distinguish one from the other.
However, we will assure you that you will be able to do that once you are done reading this informative guide. So, get ready as we embark on this interesting journey. That said, we will start the article with the various definitions.
Definition of Salsa
Salsa is a Spanish word for sauce. Interestingly enough, there are a number of ways one can make it though. You can prepare the semi-liquid condiment using chilies, pineapple, peaches, and mangoes. However, it is noteworthy that the type made with tomatoes remains the most popular in Mexico and elsewhere in the world.
The interesting thing about it is that you can easily make it in the comfort of your home. Alternatively, you can buy it from the next-door store or supermarket. If you wish to prepare it at home, you should get tomatoes, chilies, and onions. More importantly, you have to leave them uncooked to get that sweet-smelling relish you have always loved.
However, there is no limit to the culinary experiment you can carry out while preparing it. Some people prepare it by adding various ingredients to unleash the uniqueness of flavor and aroma. Afterward, you can eat salsa with corn, chile peppers, beans, and squash. Before we look at the difference between picante and salsa, let us discuss the former.
Definition of Picante Sauce
Picante is another Spanish word, but it means hot, stinging, or spicy. In precise terms, it was derived from the word “picar,” meaning “to sting.” From the loose translation, anyone can tell that it should be hotter than salsa. Well, it is used to spice up meals. If you live in the United States, you can purchase it from numerous grocery stores near you.
It is made of onions, tomatoes, chilies, sugar, and pepper. In fact, people even add a lot more spices to it. One unique thing about this sweet-smelling relish is that it always looks smooth on the surface. To achieve that, it is mixed thoroughly. Additionally, it is chunky and thick. When it is properly prepared, you can use the condiment with burritos, tacos, and other meals.
As expected, picante has become extremely popular in the West and highly sought-after too. This condiment is more liquid than solid, making it relatively moist and hot. It is important to point out that this relish has a lot of heat and ingredients that have been cooked.
Main Differences Between Salsa vs Picante Sauce
The table below gives more insights into picante vs salsa.
| Basis of Comparison | Salsa | Picante Sauce |
| Origin | This was originally introduced by the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas | This originated in Spain |
| Taste and texture | It has a wide variety of spices, and it is relatively thin and smooth | This condiment is thick and chunky |
| Ingredients | It is made of peppers, onions, tomatoes, and tomatillos | The primary ingredients in this condiment are chilies and peppers. |
| Cooking | You can use either cooked or uncooked ingredients | You can only prepare it with cooked ingredients |
| Role in meals | You can use it as a mild relish that serves as dressing or dip in numerous dishes | It is used to spice up snacks and delicacies |
| Category | It has its own food category | It is a type of sauce |
Difference Between Salsa and Picante Sauce: Conclusion
In this informative article, you have learned something new, which will redefine your diet or culinary skills. From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that they have lots of similarities. However, we have to point out that they also have their distinctions as the table has shown.
In summary, picante sauce vs salsa has an obvious disparity in preparation. While the former is prepared with cooked ingredients, the ingredients used to prepare the latter can be cooked or uncooked.
