This easy pico de gallo is my go-to summer condiment for tacos, salads, and more! It’s a great option to add a burst of flavor without affecting your macros.
When summer is in full swing, you can always find fresh tomatoes.
Whether they’re on sale at the grocery store or right in your backyard garden, nothing says summer quite like a juicy, red tomato.
Which means summer is the perfect time to make pico de gallo.
What is pico de gallo?
Pico de gallo combines the savory-sweet flavor of fresh tomatoes, bright herby cilantro, and tart lime juice. It has sharpness from the chopped onion and heat from the jalapeño. Salty, zesty, and vibrant, the flavor complements all sorts of dishes.
WHY MAKE HOMEMADE PICO DE GALLO
This pico de gallo recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer! I love that it’s also:
- Easy. A bit of chopping and a bit of stirring and you’re done!
- You control the heat. If you like it spicy, keep the seeds and membranes of the jalapeno (or add a second!). If you want it mild, strip all of those out or use less.
- Customizable. The jalapeños aren’t the only things you can change! Swap out a different type of onion, add red bell pepper, and I guess you can leave out the cilantro if you don’t like it…
- Frugal. Especially if you have garden produce, you can make salsa pico de gallo for next to nothing!
- Make it year-round. Although pico has peak flavor in the summer with garden-fresh tomatoes (a great source of the antioxidant lycopene and vitamin C!), you can make it year-round with Roma tomatoes from the store.
- Amazing taco topping! Fresh pico is one of my favorites to add to my tacos!
MEXICAN PICO DE GALLO RECIPE INGREDIENTS
A quick stop in the produce section (or your garden) will get you everything you need for this Mexican pico de gallo recipe.
- Fresh Tomatoes. Unlike my Restaurant-Style Salsa Recipe, which uses canned tomatoes, you need fresh ripe tomatoes for pico. I like Roma tomatoes best, but use what you have on hand. (Even cherry tomatoes will work!)
- Onion. A sweet yellow onion is my pick here, but white onion or red onion will work, too. This adds just the right crunch!
- Jalapeno. One jalapeno pepper adds just the right amount of heat to pico without being overly spicy. If you like the kick, add a second pepper. If you prefer mild pico de gallo, use half of the jalapeno or go with a milder poblano pepper instead.
- Cilantro. In my opinion, it’s not pico without cilantro!
- Lime Juice. Fresh lime juice coats all of your chopped veggies without making an overly liquidy sauce.
- Salt and Pepper. Pico de gallo is all about the fresh veggies, so you really don’t need much seasoning at all.
This is a classic pico de gallo combination, but you can also add more to make your own variations – diced avocado, minced garlic, chopped bell pepper, or even fresh peaches or mangos!
Psst! Not all salts are made the same! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).
HOW TO MAKE PICO DE GALLO
Step 1. Prep all the veggies: Dice the tomatoes into ¼” pieces. Chop the onions, mince the jalapeño, and roughly chop the cilantro.
Step 2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir well with a spatula. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
Pico de gallo is best the day that it’s made, but you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. You’ll end up with a softer texture rather than the initial crispness, but it’s still tasty! If you save it, use a slotted spoon to dish it out. The juices will sink to the bottom.
SERVE WITH PICO DE GALLO, SALSA, AND SAUCES
I like to put out all the Taco Toppings and condiments on taco night – pico de gallo, salsa, and sauces like Lime Crema. Try them with these options:
Pico de gallo also works as a topping on any dinner or snack!
MACRO-FRIENDLY PICO DE GALLO
Using pico de gallo as a topping is a great way to add a pop of flavor without adding a ton of fat or calories to the dish, like you might if you added a dressing or sauce.
In fact, the pico barely changes your macros at all! If your food is feeling a little bland, pico is a perfect way to add some zesty flavor. Quick Pickled Red Onions and 15-Minute Hot Sauce are similar.
And when you make this homemade pico de gallo recipe, you can feel good about adding flavor without adding junky ingredients.
PICO DE GALLLO FAQS
What is the difference between pico de galllo and salsa?
While they use similar ingredients, pico is a chopped, chunky topping, while salsa has a thinner, saucy consistency from blending or cooking.
Do I have to include cilantro in pico de gallo?
You don’t have to, but it’s just not the same without it. The cilantro adds a key flavor to the pico that it kind of falls flat without. That said, if you’re one of those people who think cilantro tastes like soap, you can make a similar condiment by skipping the cilantro and adding some fresh parsley instead. Minced garlic, ground cumin, or extra lime juice are great options for more flavor.
MORE YUMMY SAUCES
When it’s taco night, get out the best pico de gallo, plus try these yummy salsas and sauces!
Pico de Gallo
This easy pico de gallo is my go-to summer condiment for tacos, salads, and more! It’s a great option to add a burst of flavor without affecting your macros.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh Roma tomatoes (454g)
- 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped (150g)
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and finely minced (15g)
- ½ cup chopped cilantro (9g)
- 2 Tbsp lime juice (30g)
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
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Prep all the veggies: Dice the tomatoes into ¼” pieces. Chop the onions, mince the jalapeño, and roughly chop the cilantro.
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Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir well with a spatula. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
Notes
Using pico de gallo as a topping is a great way to add a pop of flavor without adding a ton of fat or calories to the dish, like you might if you added a dressing or sauce. Pico barely changes your macros at all! If your food is feeling a little bland, pico is a perfect way to add some zesty flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 27kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 241mgPotassium: 236mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 765IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.3mg
