Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)
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Pico de Gallo is a classic Mexican inspired salsa, using tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeno and limes. A little salt and pepper and dig in!
You don’t need to visit a Mexican restaurant to get the good Mexican food anymore! Of course, you probably should because unlimited chips and salsa is kind of amazing, but I digress. That said, you can make this great recipe right in your own home and eat the entire batch. I won’t tell if you don’t.
The great news is that it is easy to make, and you can get it in your bowl very fast. You can even make it ahead and let it hang out in the refrigerator ready for whenever you need it. It will stay good for a few days.
Unfortunately, I have no actual data on this because we generally eat the entire batch pretty fast. I have to make more on the same day I make the first batch!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!
Why you’ll love this
- It’s super simple. Just good quality ingredients.
- It’s super easy to make. Just finely chop some fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, lime, and a little cilantro, and you’re good to go.
- It can be used like salsa, served with tortilla chips or on queso dip, quesadillas, nachos, tacos, and other recipes.
- Serve with Carne Asada (or Pollo Asada) and any Mexican type of dish.
I do love me some guacamole and pico with some corn chips and a frosty beer in the summer.
Living in the Southwest, we have a lot of amazing, fresh ingredients available to us. While many of them are grown in Mexico, I consider this an Americanized version of the Mexican classic.
If you’re making Mexican dishes (or Tex-Mex or Southwestern), chances are you’ll need a yummy fresh salsa recipe. Basically, you need Pico de Gallo. Add this to my Baja Shrimp Tacos!
If you love Pico de Gallo, make my Homemade Guacamole, too. Serve together, with some Mexican Black Beans!
What is Pico de Gallo?
It is a Mexican salsa made up of tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro. I add garlic because that’s who I am, but that is not required.
Pico de Gallo is also known as salsa fresca and salsa cruda. If you ever see it on your favorite Mexican menu you’ll know they’re essentially the same thing.
Step-by-step photos and tips and tricks are below. Jump to the full recipe card instead
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Key Recipe Ingredients
Note: This highlights some ingredients. Full list is in the recipe card.
- I use roma tomatoes. I cut them in half and scoop out the seeds. It makes for a less watery pico de gallo.
- Serrano peppers can be used in place of jalapenos. I remove the seeds so my pico isn’t too spicy.
- Onions: white onions, yellow onions or red onions all work in this recipe.
- Garlic. Garlic is not a traditional ingredient in an authentic pico de gallo recipe. I love to add it to mine for a little extra pop. You can obviously choose to leave it out if you wish.
How to make this recipe
This is a step-by-step photo guide. Full ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
JumpChop veggies. Slice the tomatoes in half, and dig out the seeds. Chop into small pieces. Dice the onion and jalapeno, mince the garlic, chop the cilantro.
Combine all ingredients. Add tomatoes, onion, garlic and jalapeno to a bowl. Add the cilantro, squeeze lime over top and mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until needed, or serve immediately at room temperature. Serve with chips. Devour.
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Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Chop all ingredients finely, and combine in a bowl, testing for seasoning and adjusting.4 roma tomatoes, ½ onion, 1 medium jalapeño, 2 teaspoons garlic, 1 lime, juiced, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, salt and pepper
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee
Oh how i love this recipe! It is delicous and easy to make, the ingredients were accesible and you can do whatever you want!
Thank you, undoubtedly this is the best recipe. It’s quick and easy to make and my family loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
Many thanks for sharing this recipe. We have a similar kind of dish in Kenya where I come from. And I always love to try new variations. So this is totally up my street.
Very easy and tasty! Thank you so much for sharing! Will surely make this again!