Pico de gallo also known as Salsa, is a classic Mexican side dish made with chopped tomatoes, onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, salt and lemon juice. This is a no-cook salsa that bursts with flavours. It is a light side with crunchy texture that makes a perfect accompaniment for tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, quesadillas or grilled dishes.
Pico De Gallo Recipe
Pico ge gallo is a fresh dip or topping which is famous all over mexico..It is served with pretty much everything. Gives a fresh, citrus tang to those foods. It even makes bland flavourless dishes taste pretty good.
I served this with burrito which we piled over every bite and its citrus tang was perfect. Loved the crunchy bite of the onions in this a lot. It added a bit of zing.
About Pico De Gallo
Pico de gallo also known as Mexican tomato salsa is a popular condiment that is served with nachos, tacos, burritos and chips.
The tomatoes, onions, coriander leaves, green chilli and lemon juice are mixed together to create a chunky, fresh and juicy salad.
The best part is that it requires no cooking or blending. Just chop, mix and enjoy. Traditional pico de gallo is made by chopping the vegetables using a knife to keep it chunky, crispy.
Similar Recipes
Though some people may use mortar and pestle to mash it lightly. But according to me, fresh and crispy texture is what makes the pico de gallo a truly special one. Pico de gallo is one of the simple, refreshing and healthy Mexican condiments you can make at home.
This easy recipe is great for dip, topping for your dishes and side for your grilled meat and vegetables. If you love this, check out my blog for more popular Mexican recipes like guacamole, quesadillas, fajitas and burritos.
Ingredients
- Onion : I prefer to use red onions, but for milder taste use white onions or yellow onions.
- Tomatoes : Choose ripe but firm tomatoes for perfect texture.
- Green chillies : Green chilli adds heat, you can substitute with jalapenos or bell peppers.
- Coriander leaves : add fresh refreshing taste.
- Lemon juice : this brings all the taste together with a fresh taste.
- Salt : Salt enhances the overall flavour and balances the taste.
Step by Step Pictures
1)Start by chopping all the vegetables. I am using tomatoes, chop them finely.
2)You can us either red onion or white onion. Peel and chop them pretty fine.
3)Chop some fresh coriander leaves or parsley.
4)Chop some jalapenos. I like to deseed the pepper, remove the white membrane in the pepper and chop them finely.
5)Now in a mixing bowl. Add lemon juice.
6)Sprinkle salt to taste and mix well.
7)Let the salt melt in the lemon juice.
8)Add in onions and chillies. Toss well in the lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes so the onions can get milder.
9)Add in tomatoes.
10)Add in parsley.
11)Toss it well.
12)Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
13)This will make the flavors penetrate better and taste good.
14)Enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Always use firm, red ripe tomatoes for a fresh, chunky texture.
- Add salt just before serving to keep the vegetables crispy.
- Refrigerate the salsa for at least 1 to 2 hours before serving so the flavours blend beautifully.
- The consistency of pico de gallo should be chunky, not mashed or blended. Hand chopping preserves the fresh and crispy texture.
- For a creamy twist, add chopped avocados.
Storage & Serving
This fresh pico de gallo stays fresh for 1 or 2 days when stored in the refrigerator. Put them in an airtight container and stir once before serving.
Pico de gallo is a versatile Mexican condiment that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, tacos, quesadillas, Mexican rice bowl, grilled meats or vegetables.
FAQ
Yes, you can add jalapeno to include extra heat to the salsa. Adjust the quantity according to your preference.
This usually happens when tomatoes are overripe. Make sure to use firm tomatoes and remove excess seeds before chopping.
Yes, you can use canned tomatoes but the flavours won't be as bright as fresh ones. Make sure to drain the liquid and pat dry them with a kitchen towel before using.
Absolutely! You can try adding other vegetables like cucumber, bell pepper, avocado for the extra crunch and flavour. Make sure to chop them finely so the salsa stays balanced in texture.
📖 Get Recipe
Mexican Pico De Gallo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large Onion peeled & chopped very finely
- 2 medium Tomatoes chopped very finely
- 1 no Jalapeno or Green Chilli deseeded, deveined & chopped finely
- 2 tablespoon Coriander Leaves or Parsley chopped finely
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
Instructions
- Take lemon juice and salt in a bowl. Allow the salt to melt in the lemon juice.
- Add onions and green chillies in the lemon juice and toss well. Let it sit for 5 minutes till the onions gets slightly milder.
- Now add in tomatoes, jalapenos, parsley and toss well. Cover with plastic wrap and Chill this in fridge for a good 1 to 2 hours. Serve with chips or with burrito or whatever you like.
Nutrition
More Mexican Recipes that you can try
Fresh tomato salsa : This is a fresh and quick salsa made with onion, tomato, green chilli, coriander, lemon juice, salt and sugar. It is a perfect dip for tortilla chips or serves as a side for Mexican meals, grilled meats.
Mango salsa : This is a refreshing Mexican style salsa made with ripe mangoes, chilli, lemon juice, cilantro and salt. Serve this sweet and tangy salsa with tortilla chips, tacos or enjoy as a light salad.
Guacamole : This is a classic Mexican recipe made with avocado, onion, tomato, chilli and lemon juice. It is a creamy dip that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, or as a spread for bread and tacos.
Leave a Reply