Pico de Gallo recipe - Made with just 6 simple ingredients, it is fresh, easy to make and is the perfect topping for all your favorite Mexican dishes.
Pico de Gallo Recipe
It's a classic Mexican tomato sauce that instantly brightens up any Mexican dish. It is one of the most easiest recipes to make, because there is no cooking involved. All you have to do is chop 5 ingredients and mix them together.
It is simply irresistible with fresh and vibrant flavors, that we often find ourselves doubling or tripling the batch for all Vegetarian Taco Tuesday recipes.
What is Pico de Gallo?
Also known as "salsa fresca" or "salsa cruda", it is a popular Mexican salsa. It is made with finely chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeños pepper and lime juice.
Pico de Gallo vs Salsa
Pico de gallo always uses only fresh, raw diced ingredients, is less watery and chunky in texture. Salsa is more of a saucy consistency and is more wet. Salsas sometimes are made with cooked ingredients like flame broiled or roasted tomatoes, but pico de gallo is always made only with raw ingredients.
What does it translate to?
It literally translates to “rooster’s beak” in Spanish, we are not sure for the reason.
Pro Tips for success
Use ripe red Roma tomatoes - Roma variety is more suitable since they are less watery and has a mild sweet taste. Choose tomatoes that are ripe and red but not squishy. Core and remove seeds before chopping.
Chop ingredients finely if using as a dip with chips.
Let it rest before serving - This ensures that the flavors come together and the salt brings out the moisture and condenses the flavor. Rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature or for several hours in the refrigerator.
Adjust based on your preference - Add more onion or jalapeños to make it more spicy.
Use gloves for your hands when cutting spicy peppers, if preferred.
Use fresh ingredients - Since this is a very simple recipe, the quality of ingredients will dictate the final product.
Chop using a knife to get the best texture. Do not use a food processor.
Make it more spicy - Use serrano pepper instead of jalapenos.
Variations
You can add any of the following ingredients to change the flavor.
- Swap tomatoes for fresh fruits like peaches, mangoes, watermelon or strawberry.
- Garlic
- Cucumber
- Corn
- Corn and black beans
- Avocado
- Use white, yellow or even shallots instead of red onions.
How to make?
Chop tomato, onion, jalapeño and cilantro finely. You can remove the seeds and vein from the jalapeño pepper if you like it less spicy. Squeeze fresh lime juice and mix together with some salt.
How to serve?
- Like a dip with tortilla chips
- Nachos
- Tacos
- Quesadilla
- Chicken Rice Bowl
How long does it last?
It keeps for up to 3 days in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container.
Can you freeze?
Sure can! The taste remains the same but the texture changes since the tomatoes get much more softer.
More Mexican sauces to try -
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Classic Pico De Gallo Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped roma tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño pepper chopped (remove seeds to make less spicy)
- 2 to 3 teaspoons lime juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut tomatoes in half, remove seeds and chop into small pieces. Chop onion, cilantro and jalapeños into fine pieces.
- Mix all chopped ingredients along with lime juice and salt to taste.
- Let rest in the refrigerator for sometime before serving (if possible).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third party calculations, should be considered estimates and not be construed as a guarantee. Varying factors such as product types, brands purchased, produce, the way ingredients are processed and more change the nutritional information in any recipe.
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