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Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe

June 11, 2019 by Jennifer 10 Comments

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Last updated on July 20th, 2020 at 10:35 am

pin image for pico de gallo text " just 5 ingredients" additional text "authentic pico de gallo"
pinterest collage with text "homemade pico de gallo"

This CLASSIC and AUTHENTIC Pico de Gallo is the best fresh tomato salsa that you can make. 5 ingredients is all you need and it’s great on a variety of dishes or just scooped with chips!

pico de gallo being scooped with a chip

What is Pico de Gallo?

Pico de gallo is a fresh, raw salsa made with just a few simple ingredients. Pico literally translates to “rooster’s beak” because of the way that it is eaten.

The meaning comes from the pico being picked up with the fingers and pinched between the thumb and the index finger. In doing so, your hand forms the shape of a rooster’s head and beak. So funny to learn where we get the names of foods from isn’t it?

I don’t really care where it came from or what you call it, because it is down right delicious! Sometimes pico is called “salsa fresca” which means fresh salsa because everything is ripe and fresh! The best way to eat sals in my opinion.

Read on to grab this authentic pico de gallo recipe and see how to make it!

overhead picture of bowl of pico de gallo

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious easy Pico de Gallo recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

Pico De Gallo Recipe

The ingredients are few in number but large in flavor! Because you only need 5 ingredients it’s best to pick the best of them.

  • tomatoes
  • onion
  • cilantro
  • jalapeño
  • lime

Grab the freshest and ripest tomatoes that you can find. I like to use the Roma variety but heirloom ones are great too. Authentic pico de gallo, or salsa fresca, uses white onion but for this recipe I chose a red one. It adds a little color and a little more bite.

Make sure your jalapeño is ripe and firm and your cilantro is bright green. Lastly, roll your lime a few times to get the juices flowing.

If you like your fresh salsa like I do, a pinch of salt will round out the whole recipe and enhance the flavors of each of the ingredients!

This post may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.  Your purchase helps support this blog at no additional cost to you and allows me to continue bringing you delicious recipes and funny stories.  For my entire disclosure policy click here.
  • tomatoes in a bowl
    start with tomatoes
  • tomatoes and onion in a bowl
    add onion
  • diced onion, jalapeno, and tomatoes in a bowl
    and jalapeno
  • pico ingredients in a bowl
    some cilantro
  • lime juice being poured into a bowl of pico ingredients
    lime juice
  • ingredients in a bowl before mixing
    and salt

How to Make Pico de Gallo

To make this fresh tomato salsa you have to grab your knife and cutting board and prepare to start dicing and chopping. The key is to make all the pieces the same size. Maybe not the jalapeño as that can be a bit much but tomatoes and the onions need to be.

Pico got it’s “rooster’s beak” name because you could eat it by pinching the pieces between your fingers so they need to be small but not so small that they are mush.

Once the tomatoes and onions are diced, add the chopped cilantro, jalapeño, salt, and lime juice. Stir to combine and it is ready to eat. I prefer storing mine in the fridge for an hour or so to let the flavors mingle a bit and let the jalapeño get the salsa all warm with it’s heat.

Is Pico de Gallo healthy?

Yes it is! All fresh ingredients and no sugar make this recipe healthy!

Is Pico Keto/Paleo/Whole30 friendly?

Yes it is!

Can I freeze Pico?

I would not recommend it. Freezing will make the tomatoes and onions mushy. If you freeze it and thaw it, then I would puree it into a “smooth salsa” for chips.

How long will Pico de Gallo last?

It will last a week stored in the fridge. You might need to drain some of the juice from time to time.

close up of salsa in a bowl

Keep a batch of this stored in your fridge at all times! You never know when you will have a taco emergency…

Serve this fresh tomato relish with Margherita Pizza Bread, Elotes Empanadas, and wash it down with a Margarita!

Other great recipes to try with pico!

  • Pork Carnitas
  • Taco Tater Tots

Looking for a dip to take to a party you’ve been invited to?  Check out all my savory dips to fit your special occasion!

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close up of fresh pico with text "pico de gallo"

Easy Mexican Pico de Gallo Recipe

This classic and authentic Pico de Gallo is the best fresh tomato salsa that you can make. 5 ingredients is all you need and it's not just salsa either!

Pico de Gallo

Yield: 2 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This classic and authentic Pico de Gallo is the best fresh tomato salsa that you can make. 5 ingredients is all you need and it's not just salsa either!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 1/2 large red onion (appx 1 cup)
  • 5-7 ripe Roma tomatoes (appx 3 cups)
  • 1 large jalapeño, ribbed and seeded
  • juice of 1 lime (~1/3 cup)
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Dice the tomatoes and onion in a small dice so they are all the same size.
  2. Add the chipped cilantro.
  3. Add in the seeded, ribbed, and finely diced jalapeño
  4. Squeeze in the lime juice.
  5. Season with salt to taste.
  6. Stir and enjoy!

Notes

*If you like this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment and rating it with some stars. Thank you!

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 12Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can bot be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

Did you make this recipe?

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© Jennifer Stewart
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Condiments and Sauces

©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Filed Under: Dips and Spreads, Perfect Party Foods, Savory Dips and Spreads Tagged With: dips and spreads, homemade, Mexican, savory dips & spreads

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Comments

  1. Jenny says

    June 5, 2020 at 7:00 PM

    Best recipe!!!

    Reply
  2. Sandy A. says

    September 6, 2019 at 5:44 PM

    Just made this. Delicious! Serving it with fish tacos and Arroz Verde tonight.

    Reply
  3. Michaela Kenkel says

    June 18, 2019 at 9:49 AM

    My weakness!! I made this yesterday – and it was perfection! I couldn’t leave this pico alone! Thank you for the great recipes!

    Reply
  4. Sandra Shaffer says

    June 17, 2019 at 11:59 PM

    Nothing beats a fresh bowl of pico de gallo when entertaining! This is a crowd pleaser and love that it can be made in advance. I love adding a scoop over eggs or rolled up in a burrito!

    Reply
  5. Madi says

    June 17, 2019 at 6:17 PM

    Homemade pico de gallo is so good! Your recipe looks perfect!

    Reply
  6. Julie Menghini says

    June 17, 2019 at 4:57 PM

    This pico looks so bright and beautiful! I love it as an appetizer or it’s a fresh topping for fish. I’ll be serving this to my guests this weekend!

    Reply
  7. Deb Clark says

    June 17, 2019 at 4:14 PM

    Always delicious and delicious on everything! Perfect with all the tomatoes that will be coming on soon!

    Reply
  8. mkichele says

    June 15, 2019 at 8:16 PM

    Ive always loved pico de Gallo but this was the first time we made it at home…. OMG>.. it was so easy and so fresh and we devoured it all!

    Reply
  9. debi at Life Currents says

    June 15, 2019 at 11:46 AM

    I love pico de gallo. So perfect at a taco bar party! I think yours is the perfect balance of flavors too. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Instant Pot Carnitas | Crispy Instant Pot Carnitas says:
    March 15, 2020 at 11:23 PM

    […] Instant Pot Carnitas is the perfect recipe to feed a crowd. Carnitas tacos are always a favorite and can be served with many toppings like guacamole and pico de gallo. […]

    Reply

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