They look alike—both are spicy, heavy on tomatoes, and go well with tortilla chips. So salsa and Picante must be one of the same, right? Well, while the two sauces look and even taste similar, they do have their differences. Let’s check them out.
Preparation
Salsa and Picante use the same basic ingredients, but the preparation comes with some differences. While salsa almost exclusively uses fresh ingredients, Picante can contain cooked tomatoes or sautéed onion in some variations. Also, salsa is usually mixed while Picante gets blended.
Hotness Level
Salsa can be hot or mild, depending on your preferences. However, Picante is almost always hot, especially when you stumble upon the authentic Mexican variety. The nature of the sauce is contained in the name since “Picante” means spicy or hot in Spanish.
Texture
Salsa is usually chunky, coming with bits of veggies that you can distinctively taste. Picante, on the other hand, contains more finely chopped veggies and has a thinner, more sauce-like texture.
Use
Most of the time, you will use salsa as a dip for tortilla chips or a sidedish to traditional Mexican dishes. Picante goes better as a condiment, being usually poured over tacos or added to salads and chicken.
