Pico De Gallo Recipe

This Pico de Gallo Recipe is loaded with fresh and vibrant ingredients – perfect as a snack with crunchy tortilla chips or to add to a variety of dishes, such as grilled meats, tacos, and seafood.

Ever wondered how to instantly elevate a dish? Often, all you need is a delicious salsa to transform an ordinary seafood dish or grilled meat into something that’ll impress your family and dinner guests. This Pico de Gallo is one of those salsa recipes that will brighten your plate and add a zesty punch to the meal! Try it today!

Nothing could be easier than preparing this Pico de Gallo recipe. Once you’ve diced and combined the ingredients into a bowl, allow the mixture to meld together in the fridge for about an hour to intensify the flavor of this zesty salsa!

Once you’ve made your own Pico de Gallo at home, you’ll never use store-bought salsa again!

🌟 WHY I LOVE THIS PICO DE GALLO RECIPE

Pico de Gallo celebrates the fresh natural flavors of the simple ingredients used. There’s absolutely nothing complicated about this salsa, yet it can elevate an entire dish!

Like most salsa recipes, you can easily adapt this Pico de Gallo recipe by increasing the heat or swapping some of the ingredients for those you prefer. It also pairs with a wide range of dishes – use it as a topping for tacos, grilled meats, seafood, as garnish for soups and salads, or simply enjoy it with crunchy tortilla chips as a delicious snack. 

Apart from being delicious and versatile, this Pico de Gallo is also loaded with healthy ingredients that provide ample vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

All you need is 15 minutes of prep time to assemble this vibrant and flavor-packed Pico de Gallo!

🍽 KEY INGREDIENTS

Tomatoes – Use large tomatoes for this recipe, diced. 
White onion – Diced.
Jalapenos – I’ve deseeded and diced the jalapenos. You can leave the seeds in for a spicy version.
Chopped cilantro – This will be about a bunch of fresh cilantro.
Garlic cloves – Minced. 
Lime – Juiced. Only use bottled lime juice in a pinch. 
Salt and pepper – To taste. 

Swaps

Tomatoes – You can use any type of tomato that you enjoy the most when it comes to salsa. Canned diced tomatoes are another option.
Onions – Red onions would also work for this recipe and add sweetness.
Lime – Lemon can be used instead of lime.
Jalapenos – Leave these out or swap them for a different type of pepper if you prefer. Bell pepper could be used instead.

🥣 EQUIPMENT

You’ll need a medium mixing bowl, a chopping board, and a sharp knife for preparing the fresh ingredients.

🔪 HOW TO MAKE

Pico de Gallo is made with minimal ingredients. Simply prepare the fresh ingredients and combine in a bowl – it’s as simple as that. Here are the exact steps you’ll need to follow:

Preparations

Wash and dice the fresh ingredients.

Cooking Instructions

Step 1
Combine all of the Pico de Gallo ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.

Step 2
Mix the ingredients until well combined.

Step 3
Season the Pico de Gallo mixture with salt and pepper.

Step 4
Refrigerate the Pico de Gallo mixture for 1-2 hours for the flavors to meld together and serve with a side of tortilla chips as a side to your favorite meals!

💭 COOKING TIPS

I highly recommend that you chill the Pico de Gallo in the fridge as directed in the recipe, as this will allow all the flavors to meld together and the spice from the jalapenos to intensify. The wait is worth it!

Younger jalapenos with smoother skin are typically milder than older ones with wrinkly skin. This is good to know when deciding how spicy you want the salsa to be. 

Use gloves when deseeding jalapenos to avoid skin irritation. 

📖 RECIPE VARIATIONS

Pico de Gallo is a type of salsa that can easily be adapted to suit your preferences. Here are some ideas that you’re going to love.

• Spice level – Add spicy ingredients to this Pico de Gallo, such as Ro-Tel tomatoes, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  Texture – Pico de Gallo is typically chunkier than other salsa. You can chop and dice the ingredients in this recipe for a smoother texture.
  Melon Pico – Add diced watermelon and cantaloupe to this recipe.
  Grilled pineapple Pico – Add grilled pineapple to this Pico.
  Chile Pico – Add Poblano chiles and Fresno chiles to this salsa.

🥗 WHAT TO SERVE WITH PICO DE GALLO

Pico de Gallo can be enjoyed as a snack or a side dish to your favorite meals. Here are some delicious ideas:

Crackers and Chips

Enjoy this Pico de Gallo as a party snack with crackers, Tortilla chips, or pita chips.

Main Meals

Enjoy your Pico de Gallo with Breakfast Enchiladas, Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas, Instant Pot Breakfast Burritos, Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos, or Key Lime Chicken Tacos.

🙋 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

🧊 STORING AND ♨️ REHEATING

FRIDGE

Leftover Pico de Gallo can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. The ingredients will start to soften in storage, and the onions will become translucent.

FREEZER

I don’t recommend freezing the salsa as this can change its texture.

🍳 MORE TANTALIZING SALSA RECIPES TO TRY

👪 SERVING SIZE

This recipe doesn’t have an exact serving size as it can vary depending on whether you serve it as a snack, side dish, topping, or filling. Easily double this Pico de Gallo when feeding a crowd.

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

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📋 RECIPE