Do you want to know what’s the difference between salsa vs salsita? 

Let me bet! 

You must have been scratching your head when they called it salsita instead of salsa, and you started thinking, “is there a different recipe for salsita there?”

It’s time to stop wondering for we’ll cover what they mean by salsita when the Mexican folks don’t call the sauce salsa.

Salsa Vs Salsita, What’s the Difference–A Quick Answer

Salsita is no different than salsa–they’re the same.

The only difference is that we call Mexican sauces as salsa worldwide no matter what the primary ingredients are. But Mexicans also call it salsita, traditionally, and especially when it’s blended with tomatoes.  

Primarily, they use the word “salsita” as a feminine diminutive of the word “salsa,” especially when they want to refer to it in small quantities–with some love on the cuter side.

So, when do they use “salsita” instead of salsa?

Here is a short list.

Salista for referring to tomato-based salsa

Since the word “salsita” is a feminine diminutive of “salsa” it’s not used for all types of salsa. But they are used for blended salsas which have tomatoes, no matter in what quantity. For example, you can find several recipes naming it salsita, like Salsita Tapatía, Apple Chiltepin Salsita, and Tomatillo Salsita.

Salsita for the sauce in a small quantity of a quick fresh badge

Salsita is a common word used in Mexican homes when they prepare fresh salsa in small quantities. For example, you can hear many Mexican natives calling it salsita, not sauce when they want to add it to their main dish.

Salsita also refers to small salsa batches, homemade salsa, or quick ground/blended salsa as well. 

Since salsita means some salsa (sauce in small quantity) you often find it written on chips or tortillas packaging that incorporates salsa as flavor. Likewise, you can also hear many foodies naming salsa as salsita when they’re preparing it in a quick, easy way, in small quantities.

Salsita as a salsa company name 

You often see the “salsita” as a part of a salsa manufacturing company name because the companies are also feminine in Spanish.

Salsita is part of the brand name when salsa is used as a flavoring.

Yes, you can find the word “salsita” on the packing of several snacks e.g. chips packing if they have salsa as a main ingredient or flavoring. 

For instance, El Sabroso’s spicy salsa chips are advertised as “Salsita.”

In short,

When it’s about salsa vs salsita, they’re the same, and salsita is a female diminutive used for tomato-based crushed or blended sauce. The only difference is that to call it salsita it must have two qualities; have tomatoes and should be in blended form.