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.

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

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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 323 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.

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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

%

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.

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!

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

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. Roma tomatoes and plum tomatoes are good choices too, as they're less juicy than other varieties. You could also use quartered grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.

How is pico de gallo different from salsa? ›

Pico de Gallo is a fresh chopped mix of tomato, onion, jalapeño, lime, and cilantro while salsa is a cooked or uncooked blended version of the same ingredients with other variations. Salsa Verde is made with tomatillos instead of tomato.

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.

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.

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.

How long does homemade pico de gallo last? ›

How long does pico de gallo last? Fresh-made Pico de Gallo should be stored in an airtight container, and it will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Over time, the tomatoes and cilantro will get droopy and lose their freshness.

What does "pico de gallo" mean literally? ›

Pico de gallo has a fowl meaning

Both Twisted Taco and Epicurious agree that the Spanish term "pico de gallo," which translates as "rooster's beak," has its roots in how the condiment used to be eaten.

Why does my pico de gallo taste bitter? ›

One common mistake is using overripe tomatoes. As tomatoes ripen, their sugars start to convert to acids, resulting in a bitter taste. It's important to use fresh, firm tomatoes for your salsa to avoid any bitterness.

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.

Should you drain tomatoes for pico de gallo? ›

The way to avoid watery Pico de Gallo is to salt and drain the tomatoes before mixing them with all the other ingredients. This makes for a chunky Pico de Gallo that's free of extra liquid; then it won't drip all over the place.

What are the ingredients for pico de gallo? ›

Pico de gallo, also known as salsa fresca, is a fresh, uncooked salsa commonly found in Mexican cuisine. Characterized by its finely chopped ingredients, it typically includes ripe tomatoes, white onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice, with salt added to taste.

What does Chipotle call pico de gallo? ›

I bet Chipotle calls their pico de gallo “tomato salsa” since it's easier to say! You might also see it called salsa fresca (fresh sauce). Pico de gallo literally translates to “rooster's beak,” but no one's exactly sure why.

What is a nickname for pico de gallo? ›

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

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

How was pico de gallo created? ›

Pico de Gallo is a traditional Latin American dish that comes from a rich cultural and culinary history in Mexico. It's believed that this amazing dish was derived from the ancient Aztec culture, and widely popularized in Mexican cuisine, especially in regions such as the Yucatan and Sonora.

What is the difference between picante and pico de gallo? ›

A rather smooth and puréed-like sauce is the Picante, the semi-chunky texture is the Salsa, and the uniformly chopped tomatoes that traditionally contains more peppers than salsa or picante sauce, is the Pico de gallo.

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