Easy Homemade Pico de Gallo

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Published: 02/02/2022 | Updated: 04/04/2024

Pico de gallo is a delicious salsa that is perfect for tacos or burritos. It’s also great served over chicken or fish. If you want to add some flavor to your meals, try these homemade pico de gallo recipes.

Pico de gallo is typically made from fresh tomatoes, white onions, fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, jalapeno peppers, salt, and pepper. They are often served with tortilla chips, quesadillas, fresh salsa or even nachos.

Homemade fresh pico de gallo is much healthier than store-bought varieties. The ingredients are usually fresher and less processed. Plus, they taste better too. Try out these simple recipes below.

 

I love the freshness of pico de gallo. It’s always a highlight for me when going to a Mexican restaurant. I was surprised to learn that it was so easy to make.  Now when those cravings hit, I can whip up a batch of homemade pico de gallo right here in my kitchen. One of the nicest things about being able to make it myself is being able to adjust the recipe to my mood and tastes.

Sometimes, I’m feeling like something more fresh-tasting, so I add a splash of extra lime and take the seeds out of the jalapenos. Other times, I’m in the mood for something spicier. For that, I keep the seeds in the jalapenos and add a bit more onion.

Pico de gallo translates into “beak of rooster”. I don’t know why it was named that (perhaps for the colors), but whatever the reason, it has become a commonly known way to refer to this salsa made from fresh ingredients.

Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe:

• 5 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1/2 purple onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
• 1/2 a bunch of cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• salt
• pepper

Cut the fresh vegetables and place them into a bowl. Add the garlic cloves. Squeeze the juice of a lime over top. Twist some salt and pepper into the bowl.

Gently mix everything together with a spoon. Serve with tortilla chips or as a topper on fish or chicken. I love serving pico de gallo with nachos.

Looking for more appetizers/snacks recipes

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What type of Tomatoes do I use for Pico de Gallo?

I enjoy Pico de Gallo most with Roma ripe tomatoes. Roma tomatoes contain more meat and less juice compared to other types of tomatoes. Pico de Gallo is chunky salsa, not juicy, so the less juice you have, the better your salsa is.

You could also try using a beef tomato or vine tomato. Just try to clear as much of the seeded part of the tomato as possible. You could also use a strainer to get rid of excess tomato juices.

What’s the difference between pico de gallo and salsa?

Pico de gallo shares the same ingredients as traditional red salsa , but the preparation and storage methods differ.

delicious pico de gallo always uses raw, diced simple ingredients. It doesn’t become too wet, and it contributes to the excellent flavor and texture of favorite tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. Salsa comes in the form of either diced or roasted or stewed tomatoes, and is closer to a puree in texture.

In conclusion, it is simple to make your own Pico de Gallo recipe, and it tastes better than store-bought. It can be eaten as a side dish for tacos or burritos, or just on its own.

Making your own traditional pico de Gallo can also save you money if you usually buy it at the grocery store.

Check out our nachos recipes below:

Buffalo Chicken Nachos with Blue Cheese Crumble 

Shredded Chicken Nachos

Nacho Bites