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)

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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.

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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.

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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

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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 330 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

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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.

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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

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? ›

You'll just need a big bowl and a sharp knife and you're ready to roll. Plus, you can make the pico de gallo easily ahead of time—it'll keep pretty well in the fridge for up to four days. Here's how to make the best pico de gallo recipe ever (AKA ours): Slice and dice!

What's the difference between salsa and pico de gallo recipe? ›

Pico de gallo is a simple mixture of freshly-chopped ingredients. Salsa, on the other hand, almost always involves a food processor to transform the ingredients into a smoother, pureed form. (You can also use a food processor to make pico de gallo can, but too much processing will reduce your ingredients to mush).

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? ›

Ingredients. Combine tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, cilantro, jalapeños, lime juice, salt, pepper, and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Pour in vinegar and vegetable oil, and gently mix to combine.

Why does my pico de gallo taste bitter? ›

Zest the lime before juicing it. Make sure not to zest into the pith as this can cause the pico de gallo to become bitter.

What does pico de gallo do to your body? ›

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.

Is pico de gallo inflammatory? ›

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.

Why do Mexicans call it pico de gallo? ›

Here is everything you need to know about pico de Gallo. What is Pico de Gallo? Translated in Spanish, pico de gallo literally means “beak of rooster.” Some believe this is because it was originally eaten by pinching between the thumb and finger, making the shape of a rooster's beak.

What do Americans call pico de gallo? ›

Pico de gallo is a form of Mexican salsa that is made fresh. Because the red of the tomato, the white of the onion, and the green of the cilantro are reminiscent of the Mexican flag, it is also sometimes known as “salsa bandera” or “flag sauce.”

Why is pico de gallo so good? ›

Pico de gallo is a salsa popular with Mexican food, like tacos, nachos, or quesadillas. Pico de gallo is a great ingredient for Hispanic dishes, because it is less liquid than other salsas, while also has the same, great flavor. Like most other salsas, pico de gallo is made with tomatoes and other bold ingredients.

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

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

What is the original meaning of pico de gallo? ›

Here is everything you need to know about pico de Gallo. What is Pico de Gallo? Translated in Spanish, pico de gallo literally means “beak of rooster.” Some believe this is because it was originally eaten by pinching between the thumb and finger, making the shape of a rooster's beak.

Does pico de gallo contain garlic? ›

The only Pico de Gallo ingredients you'll need for this recipe are fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice. Classic pico de gallo is made with simple fresh ingredients and is quick and easy to make. This is my go-to pico de gallo recipe.

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