Description
Authentic Pico de Gallo is a vibrant and refreshing Mexican salsa bursting with fresh tomatoes, white onion, cilantro, and a zesty lime kick. This easy-to-make, versatile salsa brings bright flavors to tacos, grilled veggies, salads, or as a dip with crunchy tortilla chips. Ready in under 15 minutes using simple, fresh ingredients, it allows you to customize the spice level to your taste and enjoy a natural, colorful condiment perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup white onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1 fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeds removed and finely diced (adjust to heat preference)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomatoes and Onion: Dice fresh ripe tomatoes into small, even pieces for a juicy consistency. Finely chop the white onion to add crisp texture and balance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Chop the Cilantro and Peppers: Coarsely chop the fresh cilantro leaves. Remove seeds from the jalapeño or serrano pepper if milder heat is desired, then finely dice the pepper to distribute its spicy flavor throughout.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix the diced tomatoes, chopped onions, cilantro, and diced peppers to evenly blend color and texture while preserving freshness.
- Add Lime Juice and Salt: Squeeze fresh lime juice (natural) over the mixture and season with salt to taste. This step enhances brightness and balances all the flavors harmoniously.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the pico de gallo for about 20 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to blend and intensify for a more delicious experience.
Notes
- Choose firm, ripe tomatoes to avoid watery salsa and maintain texture.
- Drain excess tomato juice if necessary to keep a chunky consistency.
- Always use freshly squeezed lime juice (natural) for the best flavor.
- Adjust chili pepper quantity to control heat according to personal preference.
- Mix ingredients gently to preserve texture and prevent mushiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Pico de Gallo, Mexican salsa, fresh salsa, tomato salsa, spicy salsa, appetizer, gluten free
