Pico de gallo is a classic, traditional Mexican dip (or topping, or sauce, or slather-it-everywhere zesty and fresh flavor explosion). Basically, it’s an incredibly simple chunky, vibrant chopped salsa, and it’s ready in just minutes.
Pico de gallo goes by a variety of names. It’s known as salsa fresca, salsa cruda, and more. In my eyes, it should just be known as delicious. It’s a fresh, healthy, low-cal way to enjoy some of the most vibrant flavors around!
It’s a fresh Mexican salsa that is chopped and served in all the same ways you would use a traditional salsa. Made of just five simple ingredients and a dash of salt and pepper, it’s full of knock-your-socks-off flavor that can’t be duplicated!
I love bringing you all my favorite Mexican-inspired dips and sauces. Have you tried my chipotle corn salsa, cream cheese bean dip, creamy salsa guacamole, or cilantro crema? I could talk about (and eat!) dip for days!
Today though… today is dedicated to pico de gallo. It’s a classic that I can’t believe I’ve never shared before. Let’s dive in!
I like to give a lot of detail in my recipe posts to guide readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “jump to recipe” right under the title of this post and you’ll head straight there!
Classic Pico de Gallo Ingredients
- Tomato – Ripe roma or heirloom tomatoes that are really fragrant. In the winter, cherry or plum tomatoes work well. Optional: fire roasted!
- Onion – Red onion or white onion, your choice.
- Jalapeño – If you like it hot, keep the seeds, if not, remove the membranes and seeds prior to dicing. Serranos also work well.
- Cilantro – As little or as much as you like. If you’re not a fan, you can decrease or omit.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice gives fresh, authentic flavor. You can substitute fresh squeezed lime juice purchased near the limes in the produce section if needed. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar also work in a pinch.
- Salt and Pepper – Optional, to taste.
Variations
Replace the tomato with your favorite fruit or avocado! Consider any of the following options.
- Peach
- Strawberry
- Mango
- Pineapple Salsa
- Avocado Salsa
- Corn Salsa
How to Make Pico De Gallo
Did I mention it’s quick and easy? Ready in just minutes!
- Chop – I like to chop the ingredients by hand to give a rough, hand made quality to our pico de gallo. However, you’re also welcome to use your food processor, although the results will be a little more salsa-like.
- Combine – Gently stir and mix everything in a large bowl. Don’t be too aggressive, as you don’t want the tomatoes to break down much.
- Marinate – marinating is not a requirement, but it does give the pico a little time to help all those savory flavors combine. I understand if you can’t wait, though… go for it!
Serving Suggestions
Where can I use pico de gallo, you ask? Let me count the ways – you can do so much more than just serve with chips! A few ideas:
- Queso Blanco
- Guacamole
- Tacos
- Bean Dip
- Taco Salads
- Nachos
- Quesadillas
- Enchiladas
- Chili
- Burgers (or add to your burger bar)
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Mexican Breakfast Casserole
- On scrambled eggs and omelets
- As a dip with tortilla chips (my favorite!) served in a taco bowl
What’s the Difference Between Pico de Gallo and Salsa?
While pico shares the same ingredients as traditional salsa, pico de gallo focuses on the chopping and dicing of raw ingredients.
Whereas salsa is more of a wet, stewed or roasted texture in the finished product, pico de gallo is finely chopped and served completely raw.
Tips
- Choose quality ingredients. Because pico is a combination of fresh, raw ingredients, each flavor and texture will shine!
- Chop your ingredients chunky or as finely as possible, your preference!
- Marinate for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve with a slotted spoon. Your tomatoes will of course leave some juice in the bottom of the bowl, so it’s easiest to serve this way!
To Store
Refrigerate – Fresh pico de gallo will keep in a sealed container in your refrigerator for up to three days. However, it would never last that long in our house!
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More Easy Mexican Dips and Sauces
Fresh Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
- 6 tomatos chopped
- 1 onion white or red, chopped
- 2 jalapeños finely chopped
- 3/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop – I like to chop the ingredients by hand to give a rough, hand made quality to our pico de gallo. However, you're also welcome to use your food processor, although the results will be a little more salsa-like.
- Combine – Gently stir and mix everything in a large bowl. Don't be too aggressive, as you don't want the tomatoes to break down much.
- Marinate – marinating is not a requirement, but it does give the pico a little time to help all those savory flavors combine.
Video
Notes
Substitutions
- Tomato – Ripe roma or heirloom tomatoes that are really fragrant. In the winter, cherry or plum tomatoes work well. Optional: fire roasted!
- Onion – Red onion or white onion, your choice.
- Jalapeño – If you like it hot, keep the seeds, if not, remove the membranes and seeds prior to dicing. Serranos also work well.
- Cilantro – As little or as much as you like. If you’re not a fan, you can decrease or omit.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice gives fresh, authentic flavor. You can substitute fresh squeezed lime juice purchased near the limes in the produce section if needed. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar also work in a pinch.
Variations
Replace tomatoes with Peach, Strawberry, Mango, Pineapple, Avocado or CornTips
- Choose quality ingredients. Because pico is a combination of fresh, raw ingredients, each flavor and texture will shine!
- Chop your ingredients as finely as possible!
- Marinate for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve with a slotted spoon. Your tomatoes will of course leave some juice in the bottom of the bowl, so it’s easiest to serve this way!
My favorite thing to snack on! I could eat pico with a spoon!
We make this every “Taco Tuesday”
We loved this recipe! Perfect thing to have on hand to add to pretty anything!