Preparing tomato-based salsas can be tricky because tomatoes can be notoriously watery. Fortunately, you can thicken this kind of salsa to your exact liking using tomato paste.

Tomato paste can be especially helpful if you've already combined all your ingredients but have forgotten to strain the excess water from your tomatoes before blending.

Additionally, since tomato paste tends to be slightly sweeter and less acidic than a fresh tomato, it offers a milder flavor overall, which makes it a great thickening agent.

However, it’s important to be mindful of how much tomato paste you add and how you add it. Add a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

If you're working with a salsa prepared in a blender or food processor, re-blend it with the added tomato paste to ensure it's properly mixed.