The best way to add flavor to salsa is with three things, fresh herbs, spices and acid. Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley are staples that add tons of flavor to salsa Spices: Spices of Spanish origin are perfect for salsa. I like using spices like paprika, cumin, red hot chili pepper flakes, garlic powder and onion powder to bump up the flavor of any salsa recipe. You can even add spices to jarred salsa to bring it to the next level. Acid: Acidic ingredients bring out the bright fresh flavor of tomatoes and peppers. I like adding either vinegar or a hit of lemon or lime juice.