Sorry, Pace Fans — Consumer Reports Named This Competing Brand As The Best-Tasting Store-Bought Salsa

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When it comes to salsa, nothing beats homemade, but jarred options certainly have a place in your kitchen, too. Large gatherings like game days, birthdays, or barbecues are perfect for these store-bought salsas. Fortunately, just because they're store-bought doesn't mean that they compromise on quality. Based on a breakdown by Consumer Reports of the best salsas at the supermarket, one brand stood out above the rest for its taste — not Pace, it's actually Tostitos Chunky Salsa Medium.

This store-bought salsa got top honors in CR's blind taste test due to its delightful balance of sweetness and firm veggies. The reviewers noted that the garlic was prominent without overwhelming the other flavors, praising a noticeable kick of heat that rounded things out. This chunky salsa is made with tomato puree, diced tomatoes in tomato juice, onions, jalapeños, and a bit of salt, vinegar, and garlic powder, without any artificial flavors or colors. Together, these simple ingredients give the salsa a refreshing flavor and satisfying texture.

If you're pairing with tortilla chips, Consumer Reports also recommends popular finds like Xochitl Mexican Style Salted Corn Chips or Tostitos Scoops Tortilla Chips. Both are among our favorites in this ranking of 16 tortilla chips for scooping dip, and would pair well with the Tostitos salsa.

Consumer Reports isn't alone in praising this chunky salsa. On Walmart's website, the Tostitos offering boasts a 4.7-star average out of 2,300 ratings, with customers praising its consistency, flavor, and spice level. One five-star Walmart review called the salsa "delicious with [a] chunky texture as if homemade," adding that it tasted fresh, flavorful, and perfectly spicy. Others shared their favorite ways to use it, including adding the jarred salsa to chili or veggies and making Mexican omelets or scrambled eggs. For many shoppers, it's a pantry staple perfect for a quick boost of flavor.

There are other reasons shoppers keep coming back to this salsa. Across hundreds of five-star reviews, customers particularly loved that it has just the right amount of spice, although a handful thought it was either too spicy or not spicy enough. Even some Pace fans have been won over by Tostitos. Another Walmart reviewer, who gave the jar five stars, said that while they love Pace Picante Salsa, they "fell in love with the taste, texture, brightness, chunkiness, and the right heat" after trying Tostitos. "Great for filling a party bowl," added another user on Amazon. "We prefer this Tostitos to Pace."

Tostitos also came out ahead of Pace in a "Good Mythical Morning" store-bought salsa taste test. Hosts Rhett and Link found Pace thin and simple, while Tostitos stood out for its chunks and tangier flavor. Both ultimately gave Tostitos higher scores. The affordable price is another bonus, at $3.98 for a 15.5-ounce jar. Sorry, Pace fans, but Tostitos may just be worth making the switch.