Pico de Gallo Recipe Easy and Quick
This authentic pico de gallo recipe is a Mexican staple if you’ve ever known one! This adds a refreshing, hydrating and bright element to whatever you may be pairing it with. Classically known to be served as pico de gallo para chips or on top of a grilled chicken taco – this can be used many different ways and is as versatile as it is delicious.
Pico de Gallo ingredients consist of five major components – fresh tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime and salt. These ingredients are all fresh produce and used in there raw form rather than being cooked or using canned ingredients.
The most trending google search related term for pico is the 3 ingredient pico de gallo. My thoughts are that the couple extra ingredients make a world of difference and make the salsa so much tastier. The absolute best recipe has 5 ingredients, not including salt – this throws fresh cilantro and jalapeño into the mix – which is completely worth the two extra ingredients.
This top rated pico de gallo recipe never skimps on lime, salt and cilantro – make sure not to leave these components out! A popular spin on this classic recipe is pico de gallo with avocado. This introduces chunky diced avocado into the salsa and it adds a satisfying and creamy element that makes it a guacamole hybrid.
If you are wondering how to use pico de gallo, you will find many ideas below. The most traditional way of enjoying this salsa is with chips or on the top of tacos, nachos and many other classic Mexican dishes. You can certainly get creative and use it on grilled chicken, fish or on top of a Mexican stuffed sweet potato.
Read on to learn how to make the best authentic pico de gallo recipe!
What’s in Pico de Gallo?
Servings: 6-8
Pico de Gallo Ingredients:
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 1/2 medium white onion
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 jalapeno
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 2 limes, juiced
Instructions:
- Wash all of the produce with natural dish soap and water.
- Cut the tomatoes into slices, then strips and turn to cut into small squares.
- Cut the white onion the same with the result being diced.
- Where gloves while cutting and handling the raw jalapeño. Slice the pepper down the center the long way and remove the stem, center vein and all seeds. Slice into strips and then turn to cut across. Finely mince.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeños, sea salt and the juice of two limes to a bowl and mix.
Pico de Gallo calories: 110 per 1 cup
Pico de Gallo with avocado calories: 320 per 1 cup
Notes:
The best tomatoes for pico de gallo? Roma tomatoes are a number one choice but any tomato will taste great. Choose whatever tomato is nice and ripe and deep red in color.
Best way to cut tomatoes for pico de gallo: If you are using a large tomato – Cut into thin layers, then into strips, then turn and continue cutting across until they are in small cubes also known as diced. If you are careful you can stack the layers and do this to many layers at once.
How to make pico de gallo less watery: Salt and lime have the effect of pulling water out of the tomatoes or any other hydrated vegetable/fruit. After the salt has drawn the water out, the leftover result will be a watery product. If you want to you can always drain some or all of the water out but keep in mind that water has tons of salty, citrusy and fresh flavor!
Red or white onion in pico de gallo? The traditional type of onion used in pico de gallo is white onion. This isn’t to say that red onion would not be good if that is all you have on hand – go for it!
Popular omissions are : pico de gallo without cilantro and pico de gallo without jalapeños. Some people have a rare gustatory experience with cilantro that makes it taste like soap and therefore they are completely adverse. If this is you or you have disdain for any reason, feel free to omit. If you are looking for a fully mild version or don’t like the spice of raw jalapeño, make this into a mild pico de Gallo by omitting the peppers.
What to do with leftover pico de gallo: This salsa is versatile as it can go over the top of so many dishes to add a refreshing and bright element. Some good choices may be: with grilled chicken, on a stuffed sweet potato, on top of nachos, on fish, on beans and rice or in an omelet.
Can you can pico de gallo? Yes, you need to fill mason jars and pressure cook them per typical canning instructions. You can follow any canning recipe for this.
Is pico de gallo spicy? This recipe will have a little spice to it per the use of diced raw jalapeño. You can determine the spice level by how much you use or you may omit altogether.
Is pico de gallo healthy?
Is pico de gallo healthy? Yes, pico de Gallo consists of only fresh produce, each respective ingredient has its their own unique health benefits. I list some of these below.
Pico de gallo nutrition: The fresh produce in this recipe are chalk full of amazing vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and cancer-fighting healing compounds.
Pico de gallo health benefits:
Tomatoes: Offer many health benefits, one notable benefit is that they are high in lycopene. This happens to be one of the contributors to the dark red color. Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been linked to possible reduction of heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes are also high in vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants. They may improve vision, skin health and boost immunity. Tomatoes are also amazing to help reduce stress damage to the cells and are nourishing to the adrenal glands!
Onion: A great natural antibiotic, antiviral and full spectrum antimicrobial. The antiseptic properties are impressive and even help rid the body of toxic mold. Eating enough onions raw can significantly improve your immune health and ward off colds and flus.
Cilantro: Known to help the body detox and clean the body – especially of heavy metals. High in minerals and known to help you sleep better at night! The darker the leafy green is in color the more nutrient dense and mineral-resourced the plant is.
Jalapeño: pepper and spice- the capsaicin have health benefits such as vasodilation and stimulating the liver for detoxification.
Lime: citrus of all kind is alkalizing, hydrating, helps with digestion and filled with beneficial minerals and vitamins.
Easy Pico de Gallo with Avocado Recipe:
Is pico de gallo good for weight loss? This is a weight-loss friendly aspect to any meal and can be used as a snack as well. Low in calories and fat-free this offers immense amount of nutrition and hydration without anything unfavorable.
Thanks for checking out one of my favorite recipes – easy pico de gallo recipe. If you liked this one, you may love some of my other favorite recipes such as air fried avocados with pico de gallo or air fryer cauliflower wings.
Please rate or comment below and if you made any additions or alterations and want to let me in on your pico de Gallo recipes– I would love to hear about it! If you would like to share or pin on Pinterest, I am always thankful. Check out my food journey on Pinterest at Molé in the Wall.
Now you know how to make the best authentic pico de Gallo recipe. I hope you do try this recipe and thoroughly enjoy it as much as we have. I’m pretty sure this will become a family favorite and become a household staples.
Facts* Pico de Gallo meaning “beak of rooster” has a peculiar origin, it is theorized it is named after the traditional way of eating pico de Gallo with the thumb and pointer finger pressed together to grasp the ingredients. This shape reminding the original makers of a beak on a rooster.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this Site is for general informational purposes only, to include blog postings and any linked material. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice or treatment, nor should it be relied upon for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any health consideration. Consult with a licensed health care practitioner before altering or discontinuing any medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program. I am not licensed medical doctor or other formally licensed health care practitioner or provider. The content of this blog and any linked material does not necessarily reflect the opinions of myself or the principal author, and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.
Authentic Pico de Gallo Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 1/2 medium white onion
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 jalapeno
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 2 limes, juiced
Instructions
- Wash all of the produce with natural dish soap and water.
- Cut the tomatoes into slices, then strips and turn to cut into small squares.
- Cut the white onion the same with the result being diced.
- Where gloves while cutting and handling the raw jalapeño. Slice the pepper down the center the long way and remove the stem, center vein and all seeds. Slice into strips and then turn to cut across. Finely mince.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeños, sea salt and the juice of two limes to a bowl and mix.
Tags:
can you substitute salsa for pico de Gallo, pico de gallo recipe chipotle, Pico de Gallo vs salsa
