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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Authentic Pico de Gallo

    Published: May 18, 2023 Modified: May 18, 2023 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Side close up shot of a tortilla chip holding a scoop of pico de gallo over a wooden bowl of it with a wooden spoon.
    Overhead shot of a tortilla chip, lime wedges, and a wooden spoon sticking out of a bowl of pico de gallo in a wooden bowl with more tortilla chips arranged in a circle around the bowl on a white surface.
    Side shot of a tortilla chip, lime wedges, and a wooden spoon sticking out of a bowl of pico de gallo in a wooden bowl with more tortilla chips scattered around on a white surface.

    Delicious and flavorful, this Authentic Pico de Gallo is the perfect way to capture the essence of your favorite Mexican dishes. With simple ingredients and fast prep, this easy Pico de Gallo goes well with a wide variety of recipes.

    Whether you’re enjoying some chips and want a refreshing and tangy dip or enjoying a Taco Tuesday dinner, you’ll love this recipe. Don’t sleep on fresh and authentic Pico!

    Side shot of a tortilla chip, lime wedges, and a wooden spoon sticking out of a bowl of pico de gallo in a wooden bowl with more tortilla chips scattered around on a white surface.
    Perfect as a midday snack or on top of a stacked burrito for dinner, this flexible and easy pico de gallo recipe is one for the books!
    Jump to:
    • 💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🧂 Ingredients Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • ❔ FAQs
    • 💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
    • 💡 Substitutions and Variations
    • 🥫 Storage
    • 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
    • ✔️ More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe

    With bold and genuine flavor, this traditional pico de gallo is an excellent appetizer or fix-in for your favorite Mexican food or as a Cinco de Mayo staple. Combine fresh ingredients for a simple and quick dish.

    You'll only need 5 ingredients for this tasty pico, and it's majorly customizable. Serve it with tortilla chips for a fantastic snack, or pair with tacos, burritos, and more. There's no wrong way to enjoy your authentic pico de gallo!

    Combine your pico with these homemade Tortilla Bowls for a fun and flavorful take on your next Taco Tuesday dinner!

    🧂 Ingredients Needed

    Overhead shot of ingredients - jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, lime juice, onion, and cilantro.
    With only five simple ingredients, you can make your own easy pico de gallo!
    • fresh tomatoes - provide some acidity as well as a somewhat sweet base for your pico.
    • yellow onion - adds a yummy bite and aroma.
    • jalapeño pepper - for a little bit of heat as well as delicious flavor.
    • cilantro - helps tie the ingredients together with its signature pungent and herbal taste.
    • lime juice - balances out some of the heat from the jalapeno and provides a tangy and zingy finish.

    🔪 Instructions

    Two panel grid of process shots - chopping and combining veggies and herbs and adding lime juice.
    Ready in only 15 minutes, this easy pico de gallo recipe is perfect to make in a hurry!
    1. Dice ripe tomatoes, onion, and pepper to desired size, then place in a large bowl with chopped cilantro.
    2. Add lime juice and toss to combine. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.

    ❔ FAQs

    What does pico de gallo mean?

    The translation of pico de gallo from Spanish to English results in "beak of the rooster." While this dish has nothing to do with birds or poultry, it's believed that the origin of the name is how this dish was originally eaten. Pinching pico between the thumb and another finger forms the shape of a rooster's beak!

    What makes pico de gallo different from salsa?

    When it comes to pico de gallo vs salsa, the difference is largely in how processed they are. Pico is made of fresh ingredients, chopped to the desired size. Salsa, on the other hand, typically incorporates most of the same ingredients but blends them together for a smoother and more pureed result.

    Are there other names for pico de gallo?

    Pico de gallo is also sometimes called salsa fresca (fresh sauce), salsa bandera (flag sauce, due to the red, white, and green colors), or salsa cruda (raw salsa). The word salsa also translates to "sauce," and this easy recipe is sometimes considered a type of salsa.

    Side close up shot of a tortilla chip holding a scoop of pico de gallo over a wooden bowl of it with a wooden spoon.
    The whole family will enjoy this fresh and tangy recipe for easy pico de gallo!

    💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

    • Vary the size of your chopped ingredients based on the intended use. For dipping with chips, smaller pieces are more desirable. Larger chunks are better for tacos, burritos, or as a topping for fish or chicken.
    • For the best flavor, allow your pico to sit in the fridge for at least a few hours. The flavors meld and develop together as it sits.
    • If you find your authentic pico de gallo is a bit watery, avoid the innermost part of the tomato, where much of the liquid is.
    • Fresh lime juice produces the best results. 2 tablespoons of lime juice equals approximately 1-2 limes, juiced. You'll get more juice out of your limes if you microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds first.

    📌 Make this easy pico de gallo as a bold and satisfying afternoon snack or as a side to serve with any Mexican-inspired cuisine! It only takes 5 ingredients and some chopping to make this authentic, flavorful dish that rivals any Mexican restaurant.

    💡 Substitutions and Variations

    • The best authentic pico de gallo is made with all fresh ingredients, but in a pinch you can use jarred jalapeno slices or lightly dried instead of fresh cilantro.
    • For additional flavor, add ingredients like cojita cheese, diced avocado, garlic (or garlic powder), and cumin.
    • Serrano peppers can be substituted for jalapenos.
    • Use red onion or white onion instead of yellow onion if you like.
    • Fresh plum tomatoes and fresh roma tomatoes are some great options for this authentic Mexican salsa.
    • You can use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes as well.
    • Swap out the tomato for another fruit like mango, peach, or pineapple to make a flavorful and sweet fruit pico.

    🥫 Storage

    Your homemade pico de gallo will last for 3 to 4 days covered in the fridge. You shouldn't freeze pico, as it will affect the temperature and flavor.

    🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

    Wondering what to eat with pico de gallo? Serve it with this unique Macrrones Con Queso, use it as a topping for Easy Skillet Chicken Fajitas, as a way to enhance this One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet, or pair with Fajita Bowls!

    ✔️ More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love

    • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip - This hidden-veggie buffalo chicken dip still has all of the bold flavor you know and love!
    • Jalapeno Artichoke Dip - Fans of jalapeno will love this creamy and savory dip.
    • Creamy Chipotle Dip with Basil - Another fantastic dip, this smoky appetizer pairs well with chips, crackers, and more.
    • Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs - Looking for a sweet appetizer? Try this adorable recipe from Lady Behind the Curtain!
    Overhead shot of a tortilla chip, lime wedges, and a wooden spoon sticking out of a bowl of pico de gallo in a wooden bowl with more tortilla chips arranged in a circle around the bowl on a white surface.
    Fresh, juicy, and tangy, this easy pico de gallo recipe is perfect to snack on with tortilla chips!

    Easy Pico de Gallo

    Love this recipe? Awesome! Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

    ⭐ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ⭐

    📋 Recipe Card

    Side shot of a tortilla chip, lime wedges, and a wooden spoon sticking out of a bowl of pico de gallo in a wooden bowl with more tortilla chips scattered around on a white surface.

    Authentic Pico de Gallo

    Recipe Author: Kristin King
    Delicious and simple, this easy pico de gallo combines 5 common ingredients for a fresh dip or topping with an authentic Mexican flare!
    5 from 67 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 2 cups
    Calories 74 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 tomatoes
    • 1 yellow onion
    • 1 jalapeno pepper
    • 1 cup chopped cilantro
    • 2 tablespoons lime juice
    • salt and pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Dice the tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno pepper to the desired size.
      4 tomatoes, 1 yellow onion, 1 jalapeno pepper
    • Place the diced vegetables in a bowl with the cilantro. Add the lime juice and toss to coat. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
      1 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, salt and pepper to taste
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    • You may desire to vary the chopped size of the vegetables depending on the usage. Bigger pieces are great for tacos and using as a topping for fish or chicken, while a finer dice works well as a dip or salsa starter.
    • Allow the pico de gallo to chill for a few hours or even a day for the best flavor.
    • To minimize watery pico de gallo, discard the middle flesh of the tomato when dicing it.
    • Fresh lime juice tastes best. To squeeze about 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice you will need 1-2 limes. Microwave a whole lime for 20-30 seconds before squeezing to get the most juice.
    • Fresh ingredients are best but in a pinch you can substitute jarred jalapeno slices and/or lightly dried cilantro like the kind by Gourmet Garden (not an affiliate link).
    • Pico de gallo can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or so. Freezing is not recommended because it affects the texture.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 740mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2673IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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    Happy cooking!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Alison Saalbach Corey

      May 18, 2023 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      Your passion for sustainability is evident in your recipes and tips. Thank you for showing us how delicious and rewarding it can be through food choices.

      Reply
    2. Mimi

      May 18, 2023 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      I think this pico de galo is perfect for snacking, especially when it is hot outside! So easy to make!

      Reply
    3. TAYLER ROSS

      May 18, 2023 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      I made this pico for a light snack today and OMG was it delicious! So fresh and flavorful!

      Reply
    4. Tavo

      May 18, 2023 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      Hey there! Just wanted to drop by and share my thoughts on your post about authentic pico de gallo. I must say, I absolutely loved it! Your recipe is spot-on, with the perfect balance of fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. It's evident that you have a true passion for Mexican cuisine, as every bite transported me straight to the streets of Mexico. The step-by-step instructions were clear and easy to follow, making it a breeze for even novice cooks like myself. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe—it's definitely going to be a staple in my kitchen from now on. Keep up the fantastic work!

      Reply
    5. Dina

      May 18, 2023 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      Love a fresh pico! So tasty! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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