Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (2024)

Pico de Gallo is loaded with fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice. Learn the secret to the best Mexican Pico de Gallo; one simple tip makes it taste authentic.

We love making the most of summer fruits and veggies with loaded salsas like Mango Salsa, our popular Cowboy Caviar and of course Ceviche! This Pico de Gallo recipe is our favorite way to use up garden grown tomatoes.

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (1)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

What is Pico de Gallo?

Pico de Gallo is a popular Mexican salsa. It is also known as “Salsa Fresca,” or “Salsa Cruda.” It is traditionally made with equal parts tomatoes and onion, with fresh cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime juice. We add jalapeno for a spicy kick but you can leave it out for a milder pico.

You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your preference; add more tomatoes for sweetness or another jalapeno pepper if you love fiery salsa. We’ve even tried adding peaches for a peach salsa, which turned out really well.

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (2)

How to Make Pico de Gallo:

There’s no cooking involved with this salsa recipe, so even the least skilled cook would be hard-pressed to mess this one up. DICE up your ingredients and place in a non-reactive bowl, SQUEEZE in the lime juice then season with salt and pepper and STIR to combine.

Pro Tip: Use gloves or a ziploc bag to cover your hands when seeding and handling hot peppers.

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (3)

The Secret to the Best Pico de Gallo:

Have you ever wondered how to make your Pico de Gallo taste restaurant quality and more authentic? This family secret comes from Blanca Villasenor who also shared her authentic Ceviche recipe. The key to a traditional pico de gallo is in letting it rest. Combine all of the ingredients, cover and refrigerate for a day. The tomatoes will juice up and the flavors will meld so every bite is flavor-packed.

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (4)

Salsa Mix-Ins:

You can easily bulk up and change the flavor profile of pico salsa by dicing in one of these fresh fruits or vegetables. I’d love to know about your creative add-ins.

  • Bell Pepper
  • Cucumber
  • Mango
  • Peaches for a peach salsa

Serve Pico de Gallo With:

Salsa Fresca is often served as a topping for breakfast foods, enchiladas, tacos, nachos and more. It is so versatile! It’s also perfect as an appetizer with chips. We love pico with:

  • Breakfast Burritos – a fresh pico will take these over the top
  • Mexican Chicken Casserole – as a topping
  • Chicken Tacosor these Juicy Beef Tacos
  • Tortilla Chips or Tostadas

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (5)

Our Favorite Summer Appetizers:

If you love pico as much as we do, you won’t want to miss these all-time most popular appetizers recipes:

  • Spinach Artichoke Dip – always gets rave reviews
  • Avocado Shrimp Bites on cucumber slices
  • Crisp Zucchini Bites – do not skip the sauce
  • Roasted Salsa – amazing and freezer-friendly
  • Spicy Guacamole – with a spicy kick

Pico de Gallo is seriously irresistible and our love for this wonderfully fresh salsa runs deep. My only complaint is that it disappears too quickly so I highly recommend making a double or triple batch.

Authentic Pico de Gallo

4.99 from 328 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (7)

Pico De Gallo is a popular Mexican salsa that's loaded with fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice. Pico De Gallo is excellent over tacos, burritos, nachos, or served with chips.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 6 as an appetizer

  • 1 lb tomatoes, (3-4 medium), diced
  • 1/2 medium onion, (1 cup chopped)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice, from 1 lime
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, diced tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper and chopped cilantro.

  • Stir in 2 Tbsp lime juice and lightly season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or season to taste. Enjoy right away or cover and refrigerate overnight.

Nutrition Per Serving

20kcal Calories4g Carbs1g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat199mg Sodium199mg Potassium1g Fiber3g Sugar745IU Vitamin A16mg Vitamin C10mg Calcium1mg Iron

Nutrition Facts

Authentic Pico de Gallo

Amount per Serving

Calories

20

% Daily Value*

Fat

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

6

%

Sodium

199

mg

9

%

Potassium

199

mg

6

%

Carbohydrates

4

g

1

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

3

g

3

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

745

IU

15

%

Vitamin C

16

mg

19

%

Calcium

10

mg

1

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: pico de gallo

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 20

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (8)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in traditional pico de gallo? ›

Pico de gallo (a.k.a. salsa fresca) is a type of fresh salsa found in Mexican cuisine. Traditional ingredients include tomatoes, onions, serrano or jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and sometimes lime juice. Other spices and seasonings are often used.

How do you keep pico de gallo from getting watery? ›

Use the tomato flesh, not the seeds and juices.

You don't want your pico to be too watery, so make sure to remove the seeds from the tomatoes as you dice them. I like to use tomatoes on the vine in my pico.

How many days is homemade pico de gallo good for? ›

For the best flavor, let the mixture marinate for 15 minutes or several hours in the refrigerator. Serve as a dip, or with a slotted spoon or large serving fork to avoid transferring too much watery tomato juice with your pico. Pico de gallo keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.

Do Mexicans eat pico de gallo? ›

Pico de gallo is a salsa popular with Mexican food, like tacos, nachos, or quesadillas.

What is pico de gallo seasoning made of? ›

Stir tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, garlic, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Enjoy!

Does pico de gallo contain vinegar? ›

Dressed with oil and vinegar, this pico de gallo is made with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños, and spices for fresh flavor no matter how you use it.

Should you drain the juice from pico de gallo? ›

I always try to wait at least an hour before serving to let the flavors marinade and blend. Serve your homemade pico de gallo with a slotted spoon or drain some of the liquid with a sieve. The tomatoes release a lot of juice and this helps to get rid of some of the extra liquid.

How do you make pico de gallo less salty? ›

To get the salsa back to the desired taste, dilute the salty salsa with the unseasoned one and balance the flavor with more lime juice. Now you should understand how to season to taste — which is bringing something just before the point of being overly seasoned.

Is pico de gallo supposed to be hot or cold? ›

If it's missing something, it's probably salt. Spice it up. If you want the Pico de Gallo to be spicier then add some of the reserved jalapeno seeds or a pinch of cayenne. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Why does my pico de gallo taste bitter? ›

Make sure not to zest into the pith as this can cause the pico de gallo to become bitter. Sweet cherry tomatoes give this fast pico de gallo an excellent balance of flavors! You can also use regular tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or Roma tomatoes.

What does pico de gallo do to your body? ›

With so many vegetables as its ingredients, it's not hard to believe pico de gallo is also full of health benefits. Armed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the onions and garlic in the sauce may prevent the hardening of your arteries, fight bacteria and protect against heart disease.

What does "pico de gallo" mean in English? ›

Historians and foodies have long debated the origins of the staple Mexican dish pico de gallo, which literally translates to 'rooster's bill' or 'rooster's beak' in English.

What is a Jimmy Changa? ›

A chimichanga (/ˌtʃɪmɪˈtʃæŋɡə/ CHIM-ih-CHANG-gə, Spanish: [tʃimiˈtʃaŋɡa]) is a deep-fried burrito that is common in Tex-Mex and other Southwestern U.S. cuisine.

Is pico de gallo good for weight loss? ›

Pico de Gallo is a low-calorie and low-fat condiment that can help with weight management. The tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños are all low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied. Additionally, the capsaicin in jalapeños may boost metabolism and aid in weight loss.

What makes pico de gallo different from salsa? ›

Unlike salsa, which can take on a lot of different variations, the ingredients in pico de gallo don't really vary from recipe to recipe, and are always fresh. While traditional salsa has a thinner consistency with more liquid, pico de gallo is chunky, with each chopped ingredient distinctly visible.

What are the ingredients in Park Street deli pico de gallo? ›

INGREDIENTS: roma tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, red onions, lime juice, cilantro.

Does pico de gallo contain garlic? ›

I love Pico de Gallo. It is similar to salsa, but in a drier, more relish-like form. Tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime are the building blocks and most folks add garlic, too.

What is a fancy name for pico de gallo? ›

Pico de gallo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpiko ðe ˈɣaʝo], lit. 'rooster's beak'), also called salsa fresca ('fresh sauce'), salsa bandera ('flag sauce'), and salsa cruda ('raw sauce'), is a type of salsa commonly used in Mexican cuisine.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5657

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.