This is the best & freshest Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican classic is so easy to prepare. So, you just mix up the chopped ingredients together and you’re done! You can’t beat this fresh Pico de Gallo EASY recipe’s flavor and content over those in the grocery store. That’s because most of them will mainly just have chopped tomatoes and onions. Also, this is part of our Salads section in our Side Dishes category.
Authentic Pico de Gallo Mexican Salsas Meaning & Origin
It is said the name translates to “rooster beak”. As to the meaning behind “rooster beak”, there are several historical thoughts. On that, some think it’s because the fingers used to eat this salsa resember a rooster’s beak. Others have said it’s because the small diced vegetables are similar to how a rooster would cut up the food to eat it. Also, this classic Mexican dish colors are those of the Mexican flag. Read more about the recipe and history of this traditional Mexican Pico de Gallo dish.
Importance of Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican cuisine
This is like a Mexican salad but it’s usually eaten using the fingers. However, it’s also a common topping or additional to a lot of dishes.
Distinctions between Pico de Gallo and other salsas or dips
While a lot of salsas and dips have a more liquid texture, this Pico does not. It’s treated more like a salad used as a side or as a topping on other Mexican foods. You can read more information about Pico de Gallo on Wikipedia.
Perfect Ingredients to Make Pico de Gallo
Here are the easy ingredients to make the best Pico de Gallo recipe, Mexican classic style. And it’s easy because they’re all reasonably common ingredients. The unique flavors of this salsa recipe will come from the cilantro and lime juice.
- tomatoes
- onions
- jalapeno pepper
- cilantro
- lime juice
Detailed list of ingredients needed and potential substitutes
There is a limited substitution of any ingredients for this salsa. For example, the pepper called for is technically any serrano pepper, a type of chili pepper like the jalapeño or habanero.
- The fresh cilantro can be the freeze-dried type in a refrigerated spice jar, or it could a common ground up spice.
- Another alternate considered might be to use the type of onion you prefer. You might prefer a white onion and others might like a red onion.
- Finally, the last alternate is to use diced canned tomatoes, but be sure you drain them thoroughly. Also, some might prefer to use the Roma tomatoes. Personally, we use the vine ripe ones. But, ultimately, any fresh tomato will be perfectly fine. And, in a pinch, I’ve made it with grape tomatoes or plum tomatoes.
Prepare The Pico de Gallo Ingredients
After you peel the onions, prep and dice up all the vegetables, add them into a small mixing bowl. After that, you can place them into a serving dish.
Pico de Gallo Easy Traditional Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup diced tomatoes Alternately, use canned drained diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced sweet onion
- 1 pepper jalapeño Slice down the middle, remove the seeds, and chop small.
- ½ cup cilantro, freeze dried Alternatively, use fresh chopped leaves, about ½ quantity more.
- 1 Tbsp lime juice Can use more to taste.
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, ensuring lime juice is last. Thoroughly mix-toss together. It's then ready to use.
- You can store covered in the refrigerator for a maximum of about 3 days for usage; mix up again prior to each usage.
Nutrition
Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican Calories
This Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican is a great low calorie add as it has only about 25 calories & 6g of carbs per 1/2 cup. It has antioxidants and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. And, it adds to the Cuban flavors as well! Suzanne Allen talks about its benefits in her outstanding article “What are the Health Benefits of Pico de Gallo?“. They also show more nutritional values of Pico de Gallo in the <Print Recipe> option.
Pairing Suggestions for Pico de Gallo
List of meals and appetizers that pair well with Pico de Gallo
Here is a list of meals and appetizers that go great with Pico de Gallo. Some will add it onto tacos. It’s also a super topping for black beans over rice. So, look over this list for great ideas.
- Steak Fajitas
- Chicken Fajitas
- Burritos or Burrito Bowls
- Guacamole
- Tortilla chips
- Tacos
- Mexican rice
- Topping over Black Beans on white rice
- Spicy Black Bean Soup
Suggestions for unique uses or variations of the salsa
One of the most popular variations of this Pico de Gallo is to change the chopped jalapeño pepper. Some will like it hotter than others. So, the way to achieve this is to leave some of the pepper seeds in the recipe. With more seeds, the hotter. And, those who like it super hot, will add another pepper in it, keeping all the seeds.
Tips to Store Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican
Best ways to store the salsa for short- and long-term usage
You can store Pico de Gallo in any popular food storage container or baggie. With that, it’s still very fresh the following day. Because of this, you can make it a day ahead with confidence of good servings later.
The shelf-life of home-made Pico de Gallo
Store covered in the refrigerator for a maximum of about 3 days for usage. So, when doing this, mix up again prior to each usage. You’ll still love this recipe as it’s a good fresh salsa.
Conclusion of Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican
The importance of this Pico de Gallo Recipe Mexican cuisine is like potatoes in American meals. Now that you’ve seen the moderate amount of ingredients, it’s time to make this recipe! After that, tell me how it turned out and what you liked about it. Also, let me know if you changed it.