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How to Make Homemade Rotel

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Max Winters | Last updated Jul 22, 2024 7:00 AM ET

As summer kicks off, it's time to start planning what you're going to do with that abundant tomato crop. It seems that every year we wind up stuck with the same ideas for canning, freezing, and dehydrating before moving onto tomato purees, salsas, and tomato juice. But what about mixing up a homemade batch of one of our favorite tomato products?

Rotel (RO-TEL) is a beloved pantry staple of canned diced tomatoes and zesty green chiles that is widely used to add a flavorful kick to Tex-Mex and Southwestern cooking. Use it in dips, soups, casseroles, and sauces to quickly incorporate flavor into recipes. It is sold in a few varieties: original, mild, hot, with no salt added, or with lime and cilantro. But did you know that it's actually pretty easy to make? We're sharing a homemade version that lets you customize your flavors even further.

Heat Level: Adjust the type of fresh peppers and the amount of hot peppers to control the heat level of your sauce.
Tomatoes: Using different varieties or a different ratio of tomatoes can add depth of flavor to the sauce.
Customize flavors: Don't like cilantro? Leave it out! Try lemon juice instead of lime. Try a couple teaspoons of chili powder. Mix up your chili varieties or sweeten it up with bell peppers!
Freshness: Fresh ingredients will give the best flavor, but canned tomatoes and chiles work well in a pinch.

You'll need

2 cups diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced green chiles (a mix of anaheim, poblano, and jalapeños)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lime juice (optional)
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Prepare the Ingredients:

If using fresh tomatoes, peel and dice them. If using canned tomatoes, drain and dice them.
Dice the green chiles. If using fresh chili peppers, remove seeds for a milder sauce or keep them for extra heat.
Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.

2. Mix the Ingredients:

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, diced green chile peppers, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
Add lime juice if using.

3. Season the Sauce:

Stir in the salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).

4. Blend (Optional):

For a smoother sauce, you can blend the mixture slightly using a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until you reach the desired consistency.

5. Add Fresh Herbs (Optional):

If you like, stir in chopped cilantro for added freshness and flavor.

6. Adjust Seasoning:

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or spices to your preference.

7. Store or Serve:

Use the Rotel sauce immediately in your recipes or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
This product cans well, just be sure to remove tomato skins and follow your preferred water bath canning method.

Try Our Favorite Cheesy Rotel Dip

Making your homemade rotel into a delicious cheese sauce can add even more variety to your entertaining recipe box. Try mixing this into a buffalo chicken hot dip, mix it into ground beef for stuffed peppers or taco dip, or stick to the classics as a dip with tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

3 cups homemade Rotel-style tomato sauce
1 pound grated cheese of your choice (see tips below)
1/2 cup milk or cream (optional, for a creamier texture)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon taco seasoning

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, combine the rotel-style tomato mixture and the grated cheese.

Step 2: Heat the Mixture:

Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Continue to cook until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. This should take about 10 minutes.

Tips:

Try cheddar cheese (mild, medium, or sharp) for a sharp and tangy flavor. Monterey Jack melts well and has a mild flavor that pairs nicely with spices. On the other hand, pepper jack will add an extra kick of spice. If you want a creamier dip, try adding cream cheese in combination or on it's own!
Grate the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
Melt the cheese mixture over low heat to prevent it from becoming grainy. Low and slow!
Incorporate a bit of cream or whole milk to help create a smooth and creamy texture.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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