What is the difference between salsa and chutney?

Answer 1

Salsa is raw and chutney is cooked

*edit*

some salsas can actually be cooked, although those are more rare. the difference lies in the sugar. in order to make chutneys as sweet and sticky as they are, the sugar has to be dissolved via heat into the other ingredients, which are fruit, vinegar, and various spices (including chilis). the result is something sweet, sticky and thick, not unlike marmalade.

although salsas are usually recognized by having some kind of tomato or tomatillo present, salsas can also contain fruit, along with chilis, vinegar, and spices -- or other vegetables, beans, etc. making things even more complicated, sometimes the tomato is left out all together in favor of other fruits like pineapple or mango. but one thing is consistent -- no sugar.