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This easy pico de gallo recipe is ready in minutes. Tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, and lime make this authentic salsa fresca tasty on everything!
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What does pico de gallo mean?
This classic Mexican fresh salsa goes by many names, yet commonly made with fresh tomatoes, spicy peppers, onions, cilantro, and lime. Other names include salsa picada, salsa cruda, and my personal favorite, salsa bandera (or flag sauce) because the colors, red, white, and green, resemble the Mexican flag.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare - no cooking required.
- Authentic Mexican flavor and festive colors.
- Great way to use summer tomatoes.
- Low in calories and high in nutrition.
- Versatile condiment for Mexican food.
- It's the perfect party food for any occasion.
Pico de gallo ingredients
- tomatoes - Romas and vine-ripened tomatoes are top picks for fresh salsa because of their firm texture and year round availability.
- onions - The bright and spicy flavor of red onion goes perfectly with the tomatoes, but any onion will work.
- fresh cilantro - This gives pico de gallo an authentic flavor and pop of color.
- jalapeno or Serrano pepper - Jalapeño tends to be milder than Serrano pepper, but you can choose your own adventure!
- fresh lime - We're using lime zest and lime juice for authentic flavor.
- garlic - an optional (but recommended) ingredient. I like to grate mine on a microplane so the texture blends right in.
- salt and pepper - This is the only seasoning you need, especially with an authentic recipe such as this! Keep it simple to bring out the best of sweet tomatoes, spicy peppers, tangy citrus, and savory garlic.
How to make this recipe
This simple pico de gallo recipe is one of my favorite foods for Mexican night and game day. Here's how easy it is to make it.
Step 1. Dice tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno pepper or Serrano as finely as possible (hold back some of the peppers for spice control). Zest and juice lime. Chop cilantro and grate garlic.
Step 2. Combine ingredients in one bowl. Squeeze lime over everything, toss gently and add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve chilled. You won't believe how quick and easy this recipe is and, of course, how quickly it will disappear next to a pile of tortilla chips!
Pico de gallo vs salsa
Salsa is a Mexican word for sauce, which generally describes a smooth textured sauce or topping that's either cooked, blended, or both. Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa that is not cooked, served fresh, therefore earing the name salsa fresca, or fresh salsa.
Recipe tips
- choosing tomatoes - The best tomatoes for pico de gallo are ripe tomatoes, regardless of variety, season, and size. Roma tomatoes, vine-ripened, and cherry tomatoes are popular choices for this recipe.
- spice level - Remove seeds from jalapeno or Serrano for less heat. Also, add peppers in small amounts to reach desired heat level.
- lime juice - Fresh lime plays an significant role in in flavoring authentic pico de gallo, therefore I don't recommend the packaged variety.
- make-ahead - Make this recipe an hour ahead of serving for optimal flavor.
- freeze pico do gallo? - I do not recommend this because the fresh ingredients become watery and mushy once thawed.
Recipe variations
- While I used red onions for milder flavor, you can use white onions for an authentic flavor and appearance. In fact, this is what you'll find in the very popular Chipotle pico de gallo.
- Fresh garlic, as opposed to granulated garlic, is recommended for depth of flavor. Of course it's optional.
- Add freshly grated carrots for added flavor, nutrients, and a pop of color.
Serving ideas
Pico de gallo is a popular topping for any Mexican food. These are my favorite ways to use it.
- Fresh pico belongs next to a Mexican guacamole recipe and a bowl of tortilla chips.
- Scooped over steak nachos, taco pasta, turkey taco skillet, or taco bowls.
- It's an essential layer in everyone's favorite Mexican layer dip appetizer.
- Perfect with grilled chicken tacos or chicken burrito bowls.
- It's the perfect topping for cilantro lime brown rice.
- It makes best topping for refried black beans.
- Totchos tater tot nachos are delicious with fresh pico.
📖 Recipe
The BEST Pico De Gallo Recipe (Salsa Fresca)
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ripe Tomatoes (diced), *see footnote
- ½ large Onion, diced
- ½ cup Cilantro, chopped
- 1-2 Fresh Jalapenos (or Serrano Peppers), seeded and minced
- 2 Limes, zested and juiced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place TOMATOES, ONION, CILANTRO, JALAPENO, LIME ZEST, and LIME JUICE in a mixing bowl. Gently toss to combine.*Note: Always start with small amounts of jalapenos or Serrano peppers and add to taste, depending on your heat preference.
- Add SALT and PEPPER, to taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- choosing tomatoes - The best tomatoes for pico de gallo are ripe tomatoes, regardless of variety, season, and size. Roma tomatoes, vine-ripened, and cherry tomatoes are popular choices for this recipe.
- spice level - Remove seeds from jalapeno or Serrano for less heat. Also, add peppers in small amounts to reach desired heat level.
- lime juice - Fresh lime plays an significant role in in flavoring authentic pico de gallo, therefore I don't recommend the packaged variety.
- make-ahead - Make this recipe an hour ahead of serving for optimal flavor.
- freeze pico do gallo? - I do not recommend this because the fresh ingredients become watery and mushy once thawed.
Ali says
Made this pico de gallo for tacos and it was the best filling!! Also tastes delicious all on its own.
Traci says
Yay! Glad you're enjoying it. Thank you!
Nathan says
Absolutely adore this pico de gallo recipe! So easy to make and turned out so fresh and flavorful. A new snacking staple for me!
Traci says
Yay! Fresh pico really is the perfect snack. I'm glad you're enjoying. Thanks!
Beth says
This recipe is quick, easy and so flavorful - perfect for any dinner party or quick snack!
Traci says
Yay! So glad you're enjoying it. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Janie says
This is my go to favorite recipe! I love making this pico de gallo when I have tacos or a bowl of salad. It's the perfect combo.
Traci says
Yay! So good with tacos for sure. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Jacqueline says
That looks so delicious and so very summery.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you're enjoying it. Thanks!
Jeff says
Love this fresh salsa recipe. I recently learned pico de gallo means "rooster's beak". Who knew?! Thanks for sharing another winner KG!
Jenn says
I love pico de gallo! I love it on chips, chicken, tacos, and more. I'd never made it, till I saw your recipe. Your steps were perfect and so too was the result! I'll be making batch #2 this weekend!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Jenn! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Thanks so much!
Tara says
Yum! This Pico de Gallo looks so good with all those refreshing flavors. I love how easily it comes together and all that color too.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yesss! We are sold on making homemade Pico de Gallo forever 🙂 Thanks!
Jacque Hastert says
Nothing beats a fresh Pico de Gallo during the summer months when all the ingredients are fresh!
The Kitchen Girl says
Couldn't agree more! Thanks!
Sara Welch says
Loved how quickly and easily this comes together! Was perfect with chips and salsa for a snack, and even better on tacos; loved every bite!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome! So glad to hear it, Sara 🙂 We love fresh Pico de Gallo too!
Shashi says
We are making tacos this weekend and your recipe for pico de gallo is on our taco meal menu! This looks ah-mazing!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Glad you can enjoy this one!
JB says
Yep, this salsa gets devoured every time we make it. I love that it calls for garlic as many Pico de Gallo recipes do not. Another winner KG! Thanks
The Kitchen Girl says
Yes, garlic in Pico de Gallo for the win. I'm so glad you love this one too! 🙂