This Fresh Pico de Gallo is a bright, healthy condiment that instantly adds fresh flavor to any meal. With just a few simple ingredients, it's quick to make and perfect for topping tacos, mixing into eggs, spooning over grilled meat, or enjoying with tortilla chips.
Being from Texas, fresh pico de gallo has always been a staple at just about every gathering. What I love most is how something so simple can completely transform a meal with its bright, zesty flavor. We serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips, pile it high on tacos and fajitas, and even spoon it over pulled pork sandwiches. Whenever my family heads to the lake, we make a giant batch and snack on it all weekend long.
It's quick, healthy, and budget-friendly. Whether you're hosting a party, meal-prepping for the week, or just want to liven up dinner, making your own pico de gallo from scratch gives you fresh, vibrant flavor you'll never get from a store-bought jar.
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What is Pico de Gallo?
Pico de gallo, also called salsa fresca, is a type of condiment common in Mexican cuisine. Unlike other salsa which instruct you to blend the ingredients, pico de gallo is traditionally made with larger chunks of fresh vegetables and herbs.
Traditional recipes call for fresh tomatoes, onions, serrano or jalapeno peppers, lime juice and cilantro.
Equipment
For this recipe you will need:
- Cutting board and knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Citrus juicer (optional) - I love my Kitchenaid Citrus Juicer, especially if I'm doing big batches.
Ingredients:
- Roma Tomatoes: I prefer using roma tomatoes before they have a firmer texture and less seeds. Feel free to replace with a tomato of your choice.
- White Onion: White onion is slightly more mild than yellow and red onions which is why I love it in this recipes. However, I have often done it with red onion and it's still delicious. Yellow onion will also work in a pinch.
- Fresh Garlic: This recipe calls for fresh garlic. I know those little jars of pre-minced garlic are such tempting time-savers but they really don't carry the same punch of flavor as fresh garlic. Definitely use fresh if you can!
- Fresh Jalapenos: You can also use serrano peppers if you prefer.
- Limes: This recipe calls for fresh lime juice. However, in a pinch you can substitute with bottled lime juice so long as it 100% juice.
- Fresh Cilantro: In my Texan heart I do believe that fresh cilantro is critical to Pico de Gallo. However, I am aware that there is a small portion of the population who are genetically wired to dislike this herb. If you are one of those people, feel free to replace cilantro with chopped fresh parsley. It will change the flavor but it's still delicious.
- Salt & Pepper
Frequently Asked Questions
You definitely can. Although personally when it comes to Pico de Gallo I tend to prefer doing it my hand. These ingredients and flavors will work beautifully when blended but the texture will be more similar to a traditional salsa, rather than a chunky Pico de Gallo.
That is entirely up to you! Most of a pepper's heat is concentrated in its seeds and inner white pith. If you prefer a milder pico de gallo simply (and carefully) remove the seeds and pith before adding the pepper. If you want a completely mild salsa you can even omit the pepper entirely.
Similarly, if you are looking to make a very spicy pico de gallo simply chop your peppers without removing any of the seeds and even add extra peppers for additional heat!
My #1 Tip for Perfect Pico de Gallo:
This dish is ALL about proper seasoning! Make sure to taste the pico de gallo before you serve it. If you feel like something is missing add a little more salt or another squeeze of lime juice. 9 out of 10 times that will fix it!
Other delicious Mexican inspired recipes to check out.
Chile Relleno Breakfast Casserole
My Favorite Homemade Guacamole
Made this homemade fresh Pico de Gallo recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Recipe
Fresh Pico de Gallo
Equipment
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb fresh Roma tomatoes, finely diced with most of the seeds removed
- 1 small white onion, finely diced (about ⅓ cup)
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 small limes, juiced Add more or less to taste.
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced Leave the seeds in for a spicier pico de gallo.
- salt & pepper To taste.
Instructions
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to a mixing bowl. Squeeze in the juice of 2 limes and add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside them to marinate in for about 5 minutes while you prep the remaining ingredients.
- Add diced tomatoes, jalapeños and cilantro to the bowl and mix to combine. Taste and add additional lime juice, salt and pepper according to your preference. Serve and enjoy!
Jacqueline.
My new go to recipe for pico de gallo. Easy to make and so tasty. I use tomatoes from my garden which made it rather special!
jamjarkitchen
So glad you liked it!
Swathi
Fresh Pico de gallo is so good and delicious my kids approved it even picky eater.
Nicole
This pico is amazing! Such a fresh and delicious topping.
Jaleah
This pico recipe is amazing! Nothing beats fresh pico.
jamjarkitchen
So glad you liked it!
Genevieve
Pico-de-gallo is so good! I need recipes for using up the tomatoes in my garden and this is it!