Pico de Gallo, also known as salsa Fresca, is a low-calorie flavor boost accent to many dishes!
A great topping for tacos, enchiladas, nachos, omelets, soups or just served with chips, pico de gallo is a meal flavor boost!
You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your taste preference too. If you don’t like it spicy, omit or decrease the jalapeño. Season with salt and/or sugar if your tastes buds wish. Sugar many would say is a stretch for pico de gallo, but where I’m from, fresh tomatoes are on the sweeter side. If I have to use store bough that don’t have that sweetness factor, a pinch of sugar will don the trick.
Another yummy addition to pico de gallo is fruit, such as mango, peach or pineapple. Garnished on top of salmon, in a shrimp taco, or with a salty chip, it can add a delicious sweet and savory balance.
Pico de gallo is delicious as soon as it’s made. However, refrigerating it at lease 24 hours before serving can really enhance the flavors! It’s best eaten within 1-2 days…if it even lasts that long!
What You’ll Need
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Jalapeño
- Red Onion
- Lime
- Cilantro
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make This Recipe
- This is a great meal to practice those knife skills! Slice, dice and prep each ingredient. Combine everything in a medium bowl. Stir well, and taste for balance of flavors. To some palates, salt or sugar might need to be added. Serve as a topping or as chips and salsa.
Tips and Substitutions
- If you want a stronger lime presence, add lime zest to the mix. Zest the lime before juicing it. Make sure not to zest into the pith as this can cause the pico de gallo to become bitter.
- Sweet cherry tomatoes gives this pico de gallo an excellent balance of flavors! You can also use regular tomatoes, cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. Depending on which type you choose, you might need to drain some of the excess juices/seeds. If desired, you can also add a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes you use aren’t sweet.
Recipes Perfect with Pico de Gallo
- Crockpot Pork Carnitas
- Mexican Lasagna
- Queso Chicken and Rice
- Pork Verde Enchiladas
- Copycat Costa Vida Sweet Pork
- Taco Ring
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- The Best Loaded Nachos
- Taco Lasagna
Fresh Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
- 2 pints sweet cherry tomatoes quartered
- 1 finely diced jalapeño
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 lime juiced
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir well, and taste for balance of flavors. Serve as a topping or as chips and salsa.
Tammy
So fresh and good.
Laura Ashley
THANK YOU!!🙌🏻
Ross Barton
Can't wait to try this!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! It’s excellent on so many foods…or just with chips😁
Angie
I use this as a salsa, on top of fish, along side enchilladas and sometimes just eat it with a spoon!
Laura Ashley
SO many yummy ways to have it!😁
Keri
I usually just eat it with chips but saw your post about different ways to use it. Can not wait to make this and try with different meals!
Laura Ashley
Oh that’s great! I’m so happy you liked the suggestions as well!
Chris
Perfect with so many dishes! So fresh and flavorful.
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁 One of the best toppers!
Debra Bartels
All that freshness in one dish, and so pretty. Can't wait to try it!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! I hope you LOVE it too!😁
Heather
Love the recipe, went a little lighter on the Jalepeno but turned out great!!
Laura Ashley
Awesome!! I’m so happy you made it and liked it too! My dad has to be super light on the jalapeno too😁
Carrie Fosher
This is the best pico I have had. The cherry tomatoes make it taste great.
Laura Ashley
OH that is AWESOME, Carrie!! I’m so happy you liked it so much! The cherry tomatoes are my favorite part too!😁
Rhonda
Love all your recipes!
Laura Ashley
Aww🥹 THANK YOU!! That means so much to me!
Jayna Gray Manseau
This is so yummy!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁
jody mann
Fresh and yummy recipe. Great recipe for football season or any other season!
Laura Ashley
You’re right! Great for Super Bowl in a couple weeks 😁
Lisa
This Kentucky girl gives this recipe two thumbs up. Yummy.
Laura Ashley
Aww!! That makes this Kentucky girl’s heart so happy!!😁
Dellinnia Rodgers
So delicious and fresh, we love it on omelettes, frito chili pies, or just with chips.
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁 LOVE it on those omelettes too!
Becky
Love this one will make this summer with fresh veggies
Laura Ashley
Totally! It’s so good with that fresh produce😁
Jackie Marin
You can use this recipe with so many dishes!
Laura Ashley
Totally! It’s like sprinkles for dinner😁
Amy Griffin
I am excited to have this recipe! Thinking all of the ways I am going to use it!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! I hope you LOVE it too!!😁
Sherry
Looks fresh and delicious!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁
Judy Stogdill
Pico is a staple in Texas! Everyone loves “Tex Mex”. I love this recipe because it calls for ingredients most of us have in our kitchen! Loved watching you make it this week.
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much, Judy!!😁
Fetema wright
This is the type of food I love
Laura Ashley
I’m with you! Fresh flavors for the win!
Sherry Heuing
Delicious and so simple and quick to make!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁
Rick G Chaney
Yummy! I will make this after my garden grows fresh tomatoes this summer without the jalapeños.
Laura Ashley
YAY! I’ll be so yummy with those fresh veggies!
Debra LOOMIS
Love the flavors and so easy!!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁
Helen
Yum! Just give me a bowl of chips!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁 Chips are all you need 😉
Phyllis Dennis
This pico is so delicious and is great with so many different meals but is perfect for a snack along with tortilla chips!
Laura Ashley
For sure! Just need a chip and you’re all set!
Judy Clark
One of my favorites!
Laura Ashley
Always a topper winner!🙌🏻
Judy Clark
Perfect for taco night!
Laura Ashley
Totally! Taco night perfection!😁
Mary L Merrell
I love homemade pico de gallo! My favorite is using it with fish tacos- love to add pineapple!
Laura Ashley
YUM! With fish tacos sounds so great right now!😁
Ashley Baughman
Thank you so much for a fresh pico recipe! It’s so delicious!
Laura Ashley
You’re very welcome! I’m so happy you like it!
Debbi NELSON
this looks great. Fresh salsa is the best!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁You’re totally right…fresh flavors can’t be beat!
Rodney Dennis
I love this pico, it’s absolutely the best!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!😁
CARRIE K JOHNSON
Delicious and a great use for all of those garden cherry tomatoes!
Laura Ashley
Goodness yes! Can’t wait for those fresh tomatoes to come in!
Barbara Klinger
One of our favorite meals are fajitas. Looking forward to try this.
Laura Ashley
With fajitas…perfection! I hope you love it too!😁
Ali
yummmm! you’re so right. it makes a huge difference with tomatoes straight from my garden! such a versatile recipe, thank you!!
Laura Ashley
You’re welcome…and thank you so much as well! I wish those fresh tomatoes were in my kitchen right now!😁
Michelle Taggart
I love Pico and this recipe looks so quick and easy to make. Can't wait to try it.
Laura Ashley
YAY! I hope you love it too!! Goes on so many foods😁
Brenda
Fresh Salsa is the best!!
Laura Ashley
I totally agree! 🙂
Teresa Dawes
This Pico recipe is perfection! Always delicious and always a crowd pleaser. So simple, so yummy and makes every Mexican dish better!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!! I'm so happy you always like it too! It's like confetti for food 🙂
Donna
I love fresh Pico de gallo. I especially make it in the summer with fresh tomatoes from our garden. 🍅🍅
Laura Ashley
I totally agree! Those fresh tomatoes make such a big difference!
Heather Bowling
Looking forward to trying this one!
Laura Ashley
YAY!! I hope you love it too!
Robin Waldridge
Looks wonderful, can’t wait to make this!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!! I hope you love it as well!
Nicole Taylor
I love Pico de Gallo! This looks like a great, easy recipe and I can't wait to make it! I love that you have a video showing the process too!
Laura Ashley
Thank you! I'm so happy you like the video too! That means a lot to me 🙂
Jack Leezy
This is a great topping for tacos. It has a nice flavor and isn’t runny like bottled taco sauce. This also a great party dip that people love as it’s fresh not soggy and favorable.
With Super Bowl coming up, it’ll be a great dip for chips.
Laura Ashley
Awesome!! I'm so so happy you liked the texture and flavors!! You're right, it'll be a bit hit for Super Bowl!
Chastity
Can wait to try this. Looks delicious!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much, Chastity!! It’s so yummy on so many dishes! I hope you love it too!