East Texas Has A Rich Secret Ingredient For Its Salsa That You May Want To Try

Tex-Mex cuisine is sometimes equated to a finger-food version of authentic Mexican food, but in reality it is a lot more than merely that. Fajitas, tacos, and chili con carne are iconic Tex-Mex dishes that are difficult to fault irrespective of whether they are appropriated or perceived as inauthentic Mexican food. That said, some lesser-known Tex-Mex concoctions may leave even the staunchest fans of the cuisine feeling a bit unsure about whether or not they'd try them. If you're ever in an eatery in Northeast Texas, for instance, don't be surprised if you find customers garnishing their salsa with melted butter.

While it may seem like a quirk or maybe the result of just another TikTok trend (like the time people started topping KitKats with hot dog condiments), this Tex-Mex salsa twist goes back many years. It also has a small but dedicated fan following. Whether the butter is a softened square place on top of the bowl or straight-up liquified and presented in a squeezy bottle, those who add it to their salsa have multiple (good) reasons for doing so. While opinions about this salsa spin are divided even within Texas, it's worth trying and could add an extra layer of richness to your chips and dip.

Several Tex-Mex dishes aim to mitigate the spice of other traditional Mexican ingredients while also making the flavors more aligned with the American palate. Though this is often achieved by adding cheddar or Monterey Jack cheeses, it's also what butter effectively does in salsa. It other words, the rich fat helps to mitigate the spicy heat of other ingredients, making a fiery salsa more approachable. It also adds an extra layer of richness, texture, and flavor. If you're trying the butter-in-salsa move at home, but sure to pick a good butter brand from the grocery store so that you can enjoy the nuance it brings to the spicy dip.

While this is a relatively obscure combination, those familiar with it have known about it for years. Some East Texan eateries have served it for decades, while grown-up fans of the combo claim to remember it from their childhood. Far from being a food trend, the practice of adding butter to salsa is rooted in history, as it's probably because butter was long a fixture of the Texan kitchen. After all, you won't find much butter in classic Mexican cuisine, but several Tex-Mex dishes feature it. If the idea appeals to you, try a little butter in pico de gallo, which is only slightly different from salsa. A bit of butter in a roasted tomato salsa is also worth a taste, as the fat can also help balance deep-roasted flavors.