Specialty salsas can make a boring meal brilliant. Try these surefire combinations.

Use a tropical-fruit salsa to top roasted poultry or grilled meaty fish (like salmon and swordfish). Grilled pork, mahimahi, and tuna demand pineapple or mango salsa.

Serve roasted-pepper salsa alongside trout, red snapper, seared chicken breasts, or grilled steak.

Serve garlic salsa on top of baguette slices for a south western twist on bruschetta.

Use fire-roasted tomato salsa as a marinade for steak or on top of baked potatoes, baked goat cheese rounds, or turkey or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Mix tomatillo salsa into crab cakes, or drizzle it over avocado and orange slices.

Stir corn-and-black-bean salsa into crab or chicken salad or summer soups.

Tip: For instant guacamole, mix 2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa into 1 mashed avocado.