Who Invented Chips and Salsa?

If there’s one snack that brings people together at parties, game days, and restaurant tables, it’s the irresistible duo of chips and salsa. As Texans, we take pride in our salsa, but have you ever wondered who invented this delightful combination?

Crispy, salty tortilla chips paired with the bold, zesty flavors of salsa have dominated the appetizer game for decades. But who first brought this dynamic pair to life? The origin of chips and salsa is a story rich in history, culture, and, of course, flavor!

Let's talk about the deep history of who invented chips and salsa and where it all began.

Key Takeaways

Salsa originated from Mexican and Aztec cuisines, but has evolved and been adapted by many cultures.

Tortilla chips originated from Mexican cuisine and were created as a way to use tortillas that had gone stale.

The combination of chips and salsa has become a staple in many cultures and is often served as an appetizer or snack.

Chips and salsa is more of an American dish than Mexican.

Salsa can be made with a variety of ingredients, including tomatoes, peppers, onions, and various spices.

The Origins of Salsa

Salsa, meaning “sauce” in both Spanish and Italian, has roots that stretch deep into ancient Mesoamerica. The Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas were known to make a rudimentary form of salsa by combining tomatoes, chilies, and squash seeds. This condiment added bold flavor to dishes and quickly became an essential part of their culinary identity.

Fast forward to the 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors encountered this delicious marvel. Spanish priest Alonso de Molina officially named it “salsa” in 1571. Over time, salsa evolved into more complex renditions, incorporating regional ingredients and techniques as it traveled through Latin America.

Salsa made its way into the U.S. thanks to Mexican immigrants who brought their culinary traditions along with them. By the 1940s, salsa became a staple in Southwestern kitchens, and brands like El Paso Chile Company and Pace Foods later introduced it to the mass market (we all know those two brands!).

It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s though, with savvy marketing campaigns and a growing love of Mexican food, that salsa transformed from a cooking sauce into an iconic American dip.

Fun fact: By 1992, salsa sales in the U.S. had even surpassed ketchup!

The Origins of Tortilla Chips

Before we talk about tortilla chips, let’s rewind to where it all began: the tortilla. Corn tortillas date back thousands of years to the Aztecs, who used ground maize to create flatbreads as a food staple.

Over time, leftover or stale tortillas were repurposed into tostadas (toasted tortillas), a concept that laid the groundwork for modern tortilla chips.

The tortilla chip we know today, however, has more recent origins. There are a few key figures who played a role in its development:

Jose Martinez  

Around the early 1900s in Texas, Jose Martinez (no, not the baseball player!) invented a way to mass-produce masa (corn dough) for tortillas. Instead of wasting excess dough, some bakers began to fry scraps into chips.

While the concept was there, it wasn’t yet a commercial success.

Rebecca Webb Carranza  

Regarded as the true inventor of the tortilla chip, Rebecca Webb Carranza was the president of El Zarape Tortilla Factory in Los Angeles in the 1940s. Although there are claims from the Tamalina Milling Company saying they made the famous corn chips long before that.

To prevent waste, she fried misshapen tortillas and served them at a family gathering. The chips were a massive hit, leading her to package and sell them for 10 cents a bag. Thanks to Carranza’s innovation, tortilla chips became a popular snack and cemented their place in the culinary world.

Frito-Lay  

By the 1960s, Frito-Lay elevated the tortilla chip to nationwide fame. Inspired by the growing popularity of tortilla chips in Southern California, the snack giant introduced “Doritos” in 1966 as a cheesy, highly-seasoned variation.

Later, in an effort to lean into the salsa trend, Frito-Lay introduced Tostitos, designed specifically for dipping... especially for salsa!

The History of Chips and Salsa Together

Now that we know the histories of chips and salsa separately, when did these two become the ultimate combination? Surprisingly, the chips and salsa are more American than Mexican. While salsa has long been a staple in Mexican cuisine, it’s more commonly used as a cooking sauce or topping, not a standalone dip for chips.

The chips and salsa craving, as we know, was born in the United States thanks to Tex-Mex cuisine.

Mexican culinary traditions merged with American tastes to create new dishes and dining customs. By the mid-20th century, serving chips and salsa as an appetizer became common in Mexican-American restaurants, particularly in Texas and the Southwest.

So yes, you can thank us Texans!

Tex-Mex not only introduced chips and salsa but also popularized other iconic foods like chimichangas and nachos. By 2003, the spicy duo of chips and salsa had become such a symbol of Tex-Mex culture that it was declared the official state snack of Texas.

Way to go Texas!

Are Chips and Salsa Popular in Mexico?

Contrary to popular belief, chips and salsa as a pre-dinner snack are not a tradition in Mexico. If you find yourself sipping margaritas in Mexico, you’re more likely to receive guacamole or freshly made salsas as a topping for your tacos or tostadas rather than as standalone dips.

That's not to say you won't find it, but it won't be like here in the US when you sit down at a Tex-Mex restaurant and are immediately greeted with a basket of warm tortilla chips and salsa.

For Mexican chefs, salsa is historically viewed as a versatile cooking sauce rather than a dip.

Watching Americans devour baskets of tortilla chips with bowls of salsa might feel like us watching someone eat ranch dressing as an entrée.

Texan Salsa To Try

If you're a salsa fan, then you should definitely try some Texan-style salsa on your next trip to the Lone Star State. Here at Mikey V's Foods, we recommend you try these top 3 salsas made in Texas.

Our 3 salsas are unique and delicious in their own way. From the mild yet flavorful Hatch Green Chile to the spicy 7 Pot Primo, each one offers its own unique blend of flavors that are sure to delight your taste buds.

• Hatch Green Chile Salsa

• 7 Pot Primo Salsa

• Smoked Bacon Salsa

Salsa is not just limited to being used as a dip for tortilla chips. It can also be used as a topping for tacos, burritos, nachos, and even burgers.

FAQ

Q: Who invented salsa and chips?

A: The origins of salsa and chips can be traced back to the Aztec people, who used a combination of tomatoes, chilies, and salt. It's widely accepted that the modern version of tortilla chips was created in Los Angeles by Rebecca Webb Carranza in the 1940s.

Q: Is salsa healthy?

Q: What other foods can be paired with salsa?

Q: Are there different types of salsa?

Why We Love Chips and Salsa

Chips and salsa have become an iconic pairing beloved by people around the world for their versatility, flavor, and ease of enjoyment. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or accompaniment to a meal, this duo never fails to delight.

While the exact origins of who invented chips and salsa remain unclear (many believe it was Rebecca Webb Carranza), their roots are deeply tied to Mexican and Aztec cuisines, showcasing the creativity and cultural richness of the region. Today, chips and salsa continue to bring people together, adding a burst of flavor to any occasion.

Whether you’re crunching tortilla chips over bold spicy salsa at a Tex-Mex joint or trying out new salsa recipes at home, chips and salsa always deliver comfort, flavor, and a sense of community.

If you want to try unique and explosively delicious salsas, make sure to check out our salsa collection here at Mikey V's Foods.