This easy pico de gallo recipe uses fresh ingredients to create an authentic Mexican salsa fresca that is delicious and ready in minutes!
This pico de gallo is filled with fresh ripe tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro, and lime. It is light, fresh, flavorful, and muy delicioso! Pico de gallo is wonderful served as an appetizer with chips or used as a topping for other Mexican recipes, like tacos, enchiladas, nachos, burrito bowls, and more!
I love all types of salsa, and I love Mexican food! However, I put salsa on way more than just Mexican dishes. It is a great topping for seafood and chicken, or tossed into salads, and I love putting it on my eggs with some avocado. Yum! I sometimes put multiple types of salsa on my food because I like the combination of flavors. You should see the crazy loaded tacos I make! However, if I had to pick just one, I would choose pico de gallo since it is so healthy, fresh, and versatile. It is my daughter’s favorite type of salsa as well.
Pico de Gallo vs Salsa
While pico de Gallo is a type of salsa, sometimes referred to as salsa fresca, pico de gallo and traditional salsa differ in their preparation. Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa, made with fresh raw ingredients that are hand-chopped and stirred. Traditional salsa has a smoother consistency and is made by blending the ingredients, sometimes in a food processor, and not all salsas use fresh raw ingredients. Some salsa is even cooked. There are many types of salsa, like this Restaurant Style Salsa and this Chipotle Corn Salsa.
Origin of Pico de Gallo
The origin of pico de gallo can be traced back to ancient Aztec cuisine from the Yucatan Peninsula and other regions of Mexico. “Pico de gallo” loosely translates to “rooster’s beak” in English. The name’s origin is debated, with some theories suggesting it may have something to do with how it is eaten, like the way roosters peck at food, or it could be the shape of the ingredients.
Traditional Pico de Gallo Ingredients
Traditional pico de gallo is made with fresh ingredients including diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peppers, and lime. I have included some optional extras to add more flavor to the pico de gallo.
- Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes work best for pico de gallo since they contain less liquid than other varieties.
- Onion: I use white onions, but you can use other types of onions if you prefer.
- Cilantro: I love fresh cilantro, but if it is not your favorite, you can use less or substitute it with parsley.
- Chili Peppers: Fresh serrano peppers are traditionally used to make pico de gallo, but you can also use fresh jalapeño peppers, which are milder. I like spicy food, so if you are sensitive to spice, use less chili pepper in your pico. But if you like it hot, use 2 serrano peppers or more!
- Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds flavor and keeps the pico bright and fresh!
- Salt: I like to use kosher salt to season my pico de gallo.
Optional Ingredients
These extra ingredients are optional to add more flavor to your pico de gallo. Just start with a pinch and add more to taste.
- Garlic: You can add a clove of minced fresh garlic or a sprinkle of garlic powder, if you like garlic. I love garlic and the flavor it adds.
- Cumin: Cumin adds a warm, nutty, and just a touch of sweetness to this pico de gallo recipe. Just a pinch goes a long way.
- Coriander: Coriander powder is warm, spicy, and nutty with a hint of citrus. Coriander is one of my favorite spices to add.
How to Make Pico de Gallo
To make pico de gallo, first, finely chop all of the ingredients by hand. Do not use a food processor, or the consistency will be more like traditional salsa.
Add the diced tomatoes, onion, chili pepper of choice, and cilantro to a bowl. Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and any additional seasonings you want to add, such as garlic powder, cumin, or coriander.
Serve with tortilla chips and lime wedges or use it as a topping with your favorite Mexican recipe. Enjoy!
Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
- 4 - 6 medium Roma tomatoes chopped (see notes)
- 1/2 medium onion (see notes)
- 1 medium chili pepper (deseeded and chopped, see notes)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (finely chopped)
- 1 medium lime (juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for serving.)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (add more to taste)
Instructions
- To make pico de gallo, first, finely chop all of the ingredients by hand. Do not use a food processor, or the consistency will be more like traditional salsa.
- Add the diced tomatoes, onion, chili pepper of choice, and cilantro to a bowl. Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and any additional seasonings you want to add, such as garlic powder, cumin, or coriander.
- Serve with tortilla chips and lime wedges or use it as a topping with your favorite Mexican recipe. Enjoy!
Notes
- Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes work best for pico de gallo since they contain less liquid than other varieties.
- Onion: I use white onions, but you can use other types of onions if you prefer.
- Cilantro: I love fresh cilantro, but if it is not your favorite, you can use less or substitute it with parsley.
- Chili Peppers: Fresh serrano peppers are traditionally used to make pico de gallo, but you can also use fresh jalapeño peppers, which are milder. I like spicy food, so if you are sensitive to spice, use less chili pepper in your pico. But if you like it hot, use 2 serrano peppers or more!
- Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds flavor and keeps the pico bright and fresh!
- Salt: I like to use kosher salt to season my pico de gallo.
- Garlic: You can add a clove of minced fresh garlic or a sprinkle of garlic powder, if you like garlic. I love garlic and the flavor it adds.
- Cumin: Cumin adds a warm, nutty, and just a touch of sweetness to this pico de gallo recipe. Just a pinch goes a long way.
- Coriander: Coriander powder is warm, spicy, and nutty with a hint of citrus. Coriander is one of my favorite spices to add.
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What to Serve with Pico de Gallo
If you need some ideas for what to serve with pico de gallo, I have listed some yummy recipes for you to try below.
- Baked Shrimp Fajitas
- Cajun Chicken
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Cajun Shrimp Tacos
- Cedar Plank Salmon
- Chipotle Tofu Sofritas
- Easy Baked Tofu
- Enchiladas with The Best Sauce!
- Fiesta Lime Slaw
- Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Pork Carnitas
- Portobello Mushroom Steaks
- Roasted Chipotle Cauliflower Tacos
- Roasted Shrimp
- Spanish Style Cauliflower Rice
- Sweet Potato Tacos
- Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Turkey Chili
- Turkey Taco Meat
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