Fresh Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe: Zesty Garden Salsa

Summers sizzle with the vibrant flavors of this tangy, fresh pico de gallo recipe bursting with zesty goodness.

Mexican cuisine sparks joy through simple, bold ingredients that dance on your palate.

Crisp tomatoes, sharp onions, and bright cilantro combine in a colorful medley of taste and texture.

Each bite delivers a refreshing punch of authentic Mexican street food magic.

The chopping technique matters as much as the ingredient selection for creating the perfect salsa fresca.

Chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how these few ingredients can turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Let this pico de gallo become your secret weapon for adding instant excitement to tacos, grilled meats, and summer gatherings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 32 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Pico de Gallo Recipe

• Tomatoes: Juicy base that brings vibrant color and tangy sweetness, choose ripe, firm tomatoes with deep red color and no blemishes.
• Onions: Adds sharp, crisp bite and aromatic depth, select white or red onions with smooth, tight skin and no soft spots.
• Jalapeño Peppers: Delivers spicy kick and zesty heat, pick bright green peppers that feel firm with smooth skin.
• Cilantro: Provides bright, herbal freshness, look for vivid green leaves without wilting or yellowing.

• Lime Juice: Brightens flavors and adds citrusy tang, use fresh-squeezed for maximum zest and brightness.
• Coarse Salt: Enhances and balances overall taste, select sea salt or kosher salt for better texture and pure flavor.

What You’ll Need to Prep Pico de Gallo

• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise chopping of tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safe and clean ingredient preparation.
• Medium-Sized Serving Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and combining all ingredients.
• Measuring Spoon: Helps add the right amount of lime juice and salt.
• Mixing Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring and evenly distributing ingredients.

Instructions for Pico de Gallo Recipe

• Chopping Vegetables

Start by carefully cutting fresh tomatoes and onions into small, even chunks. Aim for a uniform size to ensure a balanced bite and consistent texture in your final dish.

• Pepper and Herb Preparation

Slice jalapeños with precision, removing seeds if you prefer a milder flavor. Finely mince fresh cilantro leaves, releasing their bright, zesty aroma.

• Flavor Fusion

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the vegetable mixture, creating a tangy base. Sprinkle sea salt to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Mixing and Marinating

Gently combine all ingredients, ensuring even distribution. For maximum flavor development, let the salsa rest in the refrigerator. The resting period allows the ingredients to mingle and intensify their taste profile.

• Serving

Bring the pico de gallo to room temperature before serving. This vibrant condiment pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips, tacos, grilled meats, or as a refreshing side dish.

How to Customize Your Pico de Gallo Recipe

• Adjust the heat by removing jalapeño seeds for a milder pico de gallo or adding extra peppers for a fiery kick.
• Use a sharp knife to dice ingredients uniformly, ensuring each bite delivers a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
• Select ripe, firm tomatoes and crisp onions to guarantee the most vibrant and zesty pico de gallo possible.
• Prepare the salsa a day in advance to let the flavors intensify and meld, creating a more complex and delicious condiment.
• Pair this pico de gallo with tacos, grilled meats, fish, scrambled eggs, or use as a topping for nachos and quesadillas for an authentic Mexican flavor boost.

Serving Suggestions for Pico de Gallo

• Zesty Taco Night Companion: Spread this fresh pico de gallo generously over grilled chicken, beef, or fish tacos for an instant flavor boost that brings a vibrant, tangy kick to your meal.
• Chips and Dip Delight: Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips as a fresh, homemade salsa that will elevate your snack game and impress guests with its bright, clean flavors.
• Protein Power Topper: Use as a refreshing garnish for grilled meats, scrambled eggs, or avocado toast to add a burst of freshness and a pop of color to your breakfast or lunch dishes.
• Salad Sensational Sprinkle: Toss over green salads, grain bowls, or roasted vegetable platters to introduce a zesty, garden-fresh dimension that transforms simple dishes into exciting culinary experiences.

Best Storage Practices for Pico de Gallo

• Flavor Infusion Time: Letting your pico de gallo rest in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours allows the ingredients to blend and intensify their delicious taste profile.
• Freshness Window: Consume this vibrant salsa within 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain optimal crispness and flavor.
• Smart Storage Strategy: Keep your pico de gallo chilled at the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, away from temperature fluctuations that could compromise its quality.
• Quick Serving Tips: Pull out the pico de gallo 15-20 minutes before serving to let it reach room temperature, which helps enhance the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients.

Fresh Pico de Gallo Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade pico de gallo highlights fresh Mexican salsa ingredients with crisp chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños. Simple preparation delivers authentic flavor perfect for tacos, chips, and countless Mexican dishes you will enjoy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 grams) tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup (150 grams) white onion, chopped
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• ½ cup (20 grams) fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tsp coarse salt

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Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Meticulously dice tomatoes, white onions, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro into consistent, bite-sized pieces, creating a uniform texture and visual appeal.
2. Combine Mixture: Transfer chopped vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, allowing ample room for gentle incorporation and flavor melding.
3. Season and Dress: Drizzle freshly squeezed lime juice over the vegetable medley, then sprinkle coarse sea salt, creating a bright, zesty foundation that enhances the natural essence of each ingredient.
4. Blend and Integrate: Gently fold and mix the components using a delicate stirring technique, ensuring thorough distribution without compromising the ingredients’ delicate structures.
5. Taste and Adjust: Sample the pico de gallo, fine-tuning the seasoning by introducing additional lime juice or salt to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
6. Chill and Develop: Seal the mixture and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours or overnight, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and intensify their collective taste.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Present the chilled pico de gallo as a vibrant, fresh accompaniment to tacos, grilled meats, or as a standalone zesty condiment that celebrates Mexican culinary tradition.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the pico de gallo for at least 2 hours to allow ingredients to blend and intensify their natural tastes.
• Choose Ripe Ingredients: Select firm, bright tomatoes and fresh cilantro to guarantee maximum flavor and texture in your salsa.
• Cut with Precision: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure balanced flavor distribution and attractive presentation.
• Adjust Seasoning Carefully: Taste and modify lime juice and salt incrementally to create a perfectly balanced, zesty condiment.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 32
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg