Pico De Gallo

This simple Pico de Gallo recipe is made with the freshest ingredients and combines onion, tomatoes, jalapeno, lime, and cilantro in the perfect proportions for the most amazing homemade salsa! Let the flavors combine overnight for the best and easiest ever homemade salsa to serve with your favorite Mexican food meals and chips!

Pico De Gallo Recipe

My pico de gallo is the perfect side for your taco night dinners, Mexican casseroles, carne asada, or it goes just deliciously with a bag of tortilla chips! I love to top my prime rib street-style tacos with this tasty salsa!

What Is Pico De Gallo

Pico de Gallo ( which translates to 'beak of rooster'), or salsa fresca ( which means 'fresh salsa' ), or salsa cruda ( which means 'in sauce' ), is a Mexican salsa made from fresh ingredients. The ingredients are chopped and combined, then seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.

Most of my favorite Mexican cooks use white onion when making salsa or cooking, but I like the flavor of red onion and also tend to use whichever onion I have on hand.

The secret to the best pico de gallo ever is to combine the pico, then cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors really come together!

Difference Between Salsa and Pico de Gallo

If pico de gallo is a Mexican salsa, why isn't it called salsa? Because most salsas are sauce based. The ingredients in salsas are typically blended together, either raw or after roasting.

Pico de gallo uses fresh chopped onion, tomato, jalapeno ( although authentic pico de gallo would usually be made with serrano peppers ), cilantro, and squeezed lime juice.

How To Make Pico

This easy-to-make condiment is made with raw ingredients, no cooking required! All you need is to gather some fantastic fresh ingredients to get started!

Pico de Gallo Ingredients

• Tomato - Fresh roma tomatoes or vine-ripened tomatoes that are firm and have more flesh are best for dicing! The ratio of tomato to onion is generally 1:1 in a great pico de gallo.
• Onion - White onions are traditionally used in authentic pico de gallo, but red onions are equally delicious! If your pico tastes too strongly of tomato, add a bit more onion to balance the flavor.
• Jalapeno - Just a bit of jalapeno to add a delightful kick to your pico! If you'll be serving the pico to kids and want to omit the jalapeno, go right ahead. If you want a spicier salsa, add more jalapeno. Yum!
• Cilantro - Fresh chopped cilantro is just as important as the tomato and onion in this easy recipe! The combination of these ingredients is enhanced by the cilantro for the perfect pico de gallo!
• Lime Juice - Squeeze some lime juice into your salsa to make the flavors really come together!
• Seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste. Freshly ground pepper is my favorite, with a healthy pinch of some fabulous Himalayan or sea salt!

Make Your Pico de Gallo

Combine your pico ingredients for the perfectly balanced salsa following these instructions:

1. Clean, dice, and chop your tomato, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.
2. In a small to medium-sized glass, stainless steel, or ceramic mixing bowl combine the chopped ingredients.
3. Squeeze the lime juice into the mixture, season with salt and pepper. Stir and taste. Adjust seasoning as necessary.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips

• Step 2 note that I recommend glass, stainless steel, or a ceramic mixing bowl. These are nonreactive materials to combine your salsa in. The tomato can react with other materials and take on a metallic or 'tinny' taste.
• Use gloves when handling the jalapenos. It makes it much easier to clean your hands afterward. Trust me, you don't want to touch your eyes after slicing your jalapenos!
• Remove the jalapeno seeds for a more mild jalapeno flavor in your pico.
• Refrigerate your pico de gallo overnight to really let the flavors 'marry' and come together. This will yield the absolute best ever pico flavors!

More Taco Night Essential Condiments

• Salsa Verde is made with raw or roasted tomatillos, onions, and jalapenos and is oh-so-tasty! This is one of my favorite Mexican condiments and something I enjoy whenever I can find plump tomatillos!
• Salsa Roja is a delightfully roasted salsa with deep flavor! There are so many delicious choices, it's always hard to pick which salsa I'm serving with our taco night!
• Guacamole delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make guacamole is the perfect use for overripe avocados! If you're like me, I go into the grocery store on a mission for both firm and super soft avocados for making this naturally buttery, creamy dip!
• Taco Seasoning Mix if you love tacos but aren't so enthused about all of the 'extras' in packaged mixes, this simple taco seasoning mix is for you! All of the flavors you love, without any unnecessary extras!
• Creamy Guacamole if you love guacamole, but have little ones in your home that won't normally eat it, try this guacamole recipe! The addition of sour cream and flavors made this a two-thumbs-up guacamole for our daughter when she was in her picky eating phase!
• Hatch Guacamole the addition of the incredible hatch chile to this guacamole recipe takes the dip to a whole new level! I'm a big fan of hatch chiles, and absolutely love the flavor that is added!