Copycat Homemade Rotel (2024)

Published: Jul 31, 2021 · Modified: Oct 21, 2023 by Dolly {Dash for Dinner} · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Did you know that you can make an awesome Rotel substitute in your very own home? Better yet, using simple ingredients!? This simple and quick recipe will give you a flavor packed addition to your favorite recipes like Queso, Chicken Spaghetti, and more! Freezes well too.

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Some years back, I took a particular liking to Rotel. I had an interest in trying several recipes I had seen featuring the slightly spicy can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, and I was eager to try. There was just one tiny problem: I couldn't get Rotel where I lived! My in-laws took frequent visits across the border, so I asked them to pick me up some to try. Well, I was in love!

I went about cooking all kinds of easy and flavorful meals, until one day...I ran out. It was a sad day indeed. But through all that, I learned how to make a quick and easy substitute using ingredients I could easily source. Now Rotel is easily accessible to me, but I still run out from time to time. Not to fear, I can always fall back on this trust Rotel substitute!

What Do I Need to Make a Substitute for Rotel?

The beauty of this quick and easy recipe is that you need very little in the way of ingredients!

You will need:

Diced Tomatoes: You will need a 15oz can of diced tomatoes. I like to use fire roasted diced tomatoes, because the flavor compared to standard canned tomatoes is phenomenal!
Diced Green Chilies: You will need a 4oz can of diced green chilies in order to make this Rotel substitute. If you can only find whole chilies, you will have to dice them yourself.
Lime Juice: Since one of the ingredients in Rotel is citric acid, I decided to add a splash of citrus. Lime is perfect because it compliments the classic combo of tomatoes, chilies, and cilantro.
Chopped Cilantro: This is an optional, but highly recommended addition. Rotel contains the addition of cilantro, and to keep it authentic I recommend including some if at all possible. Fresh cilantro is recommended. If you want to use dried cilantro, use about ½ tsp.

How to Make a Substitute for Rotel

Once you've made this Rotel substitute, you won't believe how easy it is to make!

There really is just ONE STEP for making a tasty Rotel Substitute: Mix together fire roasted diced tomatoes, diced green chilies, lime juice, and a little bit of fresh cilantro. This makes the equivalent of 2 cans of store-bought diced tomatoes and chilies! You can use this as you would Rotel in all of your favorite recipes.

Yes, it really is that simple! You can check out my video embedded in the recipe card below if you'd like a visual representation of just how easy this process is!

Can you Freeze Rotel?

Yes, you can! Since this Rotel substitute makes about 20oz, you may have some leftovers. That's okay, because you can easily freeze it for later!

One regular sized can of Rotel is about 10oz, so this recipe makes enough to substitute about 2 cans. I like to freeze 10oz (if my recipe only calls for one can) portions for ease of use in the future.

Recipes Using Rotel:

Rotel Dip - Spend with Pennies
Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup - Little Home in the Making
Rotel Chicken Spaghetti - Let's Dish Recipes
Queso Chicken Casserole - The Pinning Mama

And don't forget to check out my recipe for Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos!

Homemade Green Chilies and Tomatoes {Substitute for Rotel}

Did you know you can make a tasty and easy substitute for Rotel right in the comfort of your own home? All you need is a few simple ingredients and about 5 minutes!

4.70 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiments

Cuisine: American

Keyword: copycat recipe, from scratch, frugal, homemade, money saving, rotel, substitute, substitute for, tex mex

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

▢ 1 15oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
▢ 1 4oz can diced green chilies, undrained
▢ 2 tsp. lime juice
▢ 1 tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro optional

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well with a rubber spatula.
Use 10oz (about 1 heaping cup) in place of Rotel in any of your favorite recipes.

Video

Notes

Storage:

You can keep this Rotel substitute in your fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. See freezing instructions if you wish to keep it for longer.

Freezing:

You can freeze this Rotel substitute! Simply place the portion you wish to freeze in a medium sized freezer bag, remove excess air, seal, and place on a flat surface inside your freezer. Use within 3 months.

Tomatoes:

Use one can of undrained diced tomatoes for this recipe. Fire roasted are preferred, but you can use standard diced tomatoes as well. If you are using a low or no sodium can of tomatoes, you will need to add additional salt. Start with ½ tsp. and adjust based on taste.

Green Chilies

You will use 1 (4oz) can of diced green chilies in this recipe. If you can only find canned WHOLE green chilies, you will need to dice them at home. They should be about the size of a pinky finger nail when diced.

Nutrition

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Reader Interactions

I'm thrilled to share my expertise on creating a homemade Rotel substitute, a skill I acquired out of necessity and passion for culinary exploration. Several years ago, I encountered a challenge: I developed a fondness for Rotel, a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, but struggled to find it locally. Undeterred, I sought a solution, leading me to craft my own substitute using easily accessible ingredients. Since then, I've not only perfected this recipe, but I've also integrated it into various dishes, demonstrating its versatility.

Now, let's delve into the key components of this Rotel substitute recipe featured in the article:

Diced Tomatoes:
- Specifically, a 15oz can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes is recommended. The fire-roasted variety imparts a phenomenal flavor compared to standard canned tomatoes.
Diced Green Chilies:
- A 4oz can of diced green chilies is essential for creating the substitute. In case whole chilies are the only option, they can be diced manually to achieve the desired result.
Lime Juice:
- To mimic the citric acid found in Rotel, the recipe incorporates a splash of lime juice. Lime complements the classic combination of tomatoes, chilies, and cilantro.
Chopped Cilantro:
- While optional, fresh cilantro is highly recommended to maintain authenticity. Approximately 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro is suggested. Dried cilantro can be used as a substitute, with around ½ teaspoon recommended.

The preparation method is remarkably straightforward:

How to Make a Substitute for Rotel:

Mix together fire-roasted diced tomatoes, diced green chilies, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. This creates the equivalent of 2 cans of store-bought diced tomatoes and chilies. The resulting mixture can be used in various recipes, such as Queso, Chicken Spaghetti, and more.

Furthermore, the article addresses the question of freezing the Rotel substitute. With a yield of approximately 20oz, the leftovers can be conveniently frozen in 10oz portions, equivalent to one regular-sized can of Rotel. The freezing process involves placing the substitute in a plastic freezer bag, removing excess air, labeling, and freezing flat for future use within 3 months.

To offer a glimpse into the versatility of Rotel substitutes, the article concludes by mentioning several recipes that utilize Rotel or similar substitutes. These recipes include Rotel Dip, Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup, Rotel Chicken Spaghetti, Queso Chicken Casserole, and Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos.

In summary, my expertise in crafting and using a Rotel substitute is backed by personal experience and a deep understanding of the ingredients and their roles in creating a flavorful alternative. The article not only provides a step-by-step guide but also emphasizes the practicality of freezing the substitute for future culinary endeavors.