• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe

Smells Like Delish

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • IP Calculator
    • SV Chart
    • Using Grow
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Published: Jul 6, 2022 · Modified: Aug 17, 2022 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    Easy Pico de Gallo

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    chips and pico de gallo on a serving board.

    This easy Pico de Gallo recipe is a go to for everything from tacos to omelets! Our pico recipe is made with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro.

    It's perfect for topping our Chili Lime Tacos, Chili's Steak Fajitas, burritos, or just eating with tortilla chips and guacamole dip.

    chips and pico de gallo on a serving board.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    A classic Mexican dish, this easy pico de gallo is a snap to make. The ingredients are usually in your fridge, and the recipe can be adjusted to your level of spicy heat!

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Pico de Gallo
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Food Safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Summer is the time to find the best tasting tomatoes. Canning Salsa and Pico de Gallo, Tomato Confit, and Spiced Tomato Jam are all great ways to can or 'put up' any excess tomatoes from your garden also.

    lime wedges, chopped jalapeno, chopped onion, and chopped tomatoes in a bowl ready to combine.
    • Roma tomatoes is my preference, but any fresh vine ripened tomatoes will be delicious. If they are a bit juicy, just cut them in half and discard the juicy seed interior.
    • Yellow or white onion
    • Fresh Jalapenos - more or less to suit your level of heat.
    • Fresh garlic
    • Lime Juice
    • Cilantro (optional)
    • Salt

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make Pico de Gallo

    This is such an easy, simple recipe, but it's jam packed with flavor. You can make it up at the last minute even.

    Chop the veggies

    1. Chop the tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, garlic, and cilantro up to the level of chunkiness you like best. Adjust the heat with either more or less jalapenos.
    mixed jalapeno, chopped onion, and tomatoes in a bowl.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Adjust seasoning

    1. Add the lime juice and salt to taste. Mix everything up well. Serve at room temperature immediately with guacamole and chips, or as a condiment to your favorite Mexican or Latin meal.
    chips and pico de gallo on a serving board.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve with tortilla chips and our easy 4-Ingredient Guacamole for a fabulous crowd pleasing appetizer. Of course, don't forget adding it to your next cheese omelet, on top of a fresh seared steak, or even skillet scallops!

    serving idea for pico de gallo, lime wedges and tortilla chips.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Substitutions

    Pico de gallo makes a great substitute for stewed or diced tomatoes when making Instant Pot Chili or Salsa Chicken Casserole (this was my kid's favorite dinner when they were growing up).

    Any type of tomatoes will work, but sometimes fresh just isn't the best flavor option, depending on the time of year. In that case, use a can of either Mild or Spicy Rotel tomatoes. If you don't really want jalapenos in your pico de gallo, you can use canned Mexican flavored diced tomatoes instead.

    Variations

    There are a million variations on pico de gallo.

    • Chipotle - add some ground Chipotle chili powder to your recipe, about ¼ to ½ teaspoon. Not only will it add a bit more heat, but it will also add a nice smoky flavor. Chipotles are actually smoked Jalapenos!
    • Cilantro Free - many people have a taste aversion to Cilantro. These super tasters only taste a soapy taste in their mouth. Can you imagine tasting a bar of soap instead of that pungent cilantro flavor?
    • Kid friendly - I don't know about your kids, but mine hated chunks of tomato. I had to puree the tomatoes AND onions for them to discover the delights of pico de gallo or salsa!

    Equipment

    • Molcajete for serving your pico de gallo, queso, salsas, or guacamole in.
    • Festive Salsa Bowls lightweight, festive colored 12 oz bowls for your buffet table.

    Storage

    You can store fresh pico de gallo for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you make extra you can either freeze it (but it will have a different texture when defrosted), or you can hot water bath can it for stocking up for later in the year.

    Pico de gallo is considered a high acid condiment, but because there is no vinegar or sugar to preserve it, you still need to use Ball's Water Bath Canning method to preserve, or 'put it up'.

    Tips for Success

    • Choose the ripest, vine ripened tomatoes as possible. Fresh sun drenched, vine ripened tomatoes from a garden have the most flavor.
    • Make extra with any surplus tomatoes and water bath can it for the winter.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Pico de Gallo vs Salsa - What is the difference?

    Pico de gallo is a simple mixture of freshly-chopped ingredients. Salsa, on the other hand, almost always involves a food processor to transform the ingredients into a smoother, pureed form of condiment or dip.

    Food Safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

    • air fried quesadilla cut into thirds with cilantro and sour cream garnish.
      Air Fryer Cheese Quesadillas
    • Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.
      Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
    • chile relleno burrito with salsa queso sauce on a platter of rice, lettuce, and black beans.
      Chile Relleno Burrito
    • swirl frosted cinnamon cookies on a plate.
      Crumbl Churro Cookies

    Connect with Smells Like Delish!

    Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    📖 Recipe

    chips and pico de gallo on a serving board.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy Pico de Gallo

    This easy Pico de Gallo recipe is a go to for everything from tacos to omelets! Our pico recipe is made with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro. It's perfect for topping our Chili Lime Tacos, Chili's Steak Fajitas, burritos, or just eating with tortilla chips and guacamole dip.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 22kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • Molcajete
    • Festive Salsa Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped (any tomatoes will work though)
    • ½ onion, chopped
    • 2 - 3 Jalapenos, chopped fine (more or less, depending on how spicy you like it)
    • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
    • 2 limes, juiced
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)
    • Salt to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Chop the tomatoes, onion, Jalapenos, garlic, and cilantro. Put in a mixing bowl.
      6 Roma tomatoes, chopped, ½ onion, chopped, 2 - 3 Jalapenos, chopped fine (more or less, depending on how spicy you like it), 2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine, ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)
    • Add the lime juice and mix well. Add salt to taste.
      2 limes, juiced, Salt to taste
    • Serve with tortilla chips and guacamole, or as a condiment for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican food.

    Notes

    • Choose the ripest, vine ripened tomatoes as possible. Fresh sun drenched, vine ripened tomatoes from a garden have the most flavor.
    • Make extra with any surplus tomatoes and water bath can it for the winter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 840IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Keyword : easy pico de gallo, fresh pico de gallo, mexican pico de gallo, pico recipe, quick pico de gallo, simple pico de gallo

    Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Twitter

    More Condiment Recipes

    • a spoonful of homemade big mac copycat sauce in a jar.
      Big Mac Sauce Recipe
    • closeup of a mini processor full of freshly pulsed basil and walnut pesto.
      Thai Basil Pesto
    • Ball canning jar filled with homemade unsweetened applesauce, with a spoon.
      Unsweetened Applesauce
    • pumpkin butter in a jar.
      Pumpkin Butter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

    More about me →

    Newest Recipes

    • Serving dish of air fryer orange chicken and white rice with potstickers in the background.
      Air Fryer Orange Chicken
    • platter full of pot stickers with soy sauce dip in the middle and chop sticks nearby.
      Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
    • fluffy rice on a wooden spoon over a rice cooker full of cooked rice.
      Aroma Rice Cooker Instructions
    • serving bowl of panda express string bean chicken with blue teapot nearby.
      Panda Express String Bean Chicken
    recipe newsletter

    Diet Friendly Recipes

    • guacamole with tortilla chips on a platter.
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Salmon filet in a serving dish with rice pilaf and brussels sprouts.
      Longhorns Salmon Recipe
    • serving dish with blackened mahi mahi and lemon wedges with tartar sauce in a bowl.
      Blackened Mahi Mahi
    • platter of roasted asparagus garnished with cheese and lemon.
      Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus

    Asian Inspirations

    • blue and white porcelain bowl full of steamed white rice.
      Fluffy Steamed White Rice
    • slicked chicken Katsu in a bento box.
      Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
    • beef & broccoli stir fry in a skillet.
      Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
    • powdered sugar dusted croffles on a serving platter.
      Croffles (Croissant Waffles)

    Recommended

    • del frisco's butter cake with ice cream, caramel sauce, and whip cream.
      Del Frisco's Butter Cake
    • serving bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with butter & parsley.
      Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes
    • A corn muffin with the wrapper removed.
      Cracker Barrel Cornbread Recipe
    • small plate with cut pork lumpia and a small bowl of dipping sauce nearby
      Traditional Pork Lumpia
    • close up of serving bowl with black beans, tostones, cilantro.
      Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
    • close up of white serving platter with three grilled pork chops and a green napkin on a white background
      Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops

    International Favorites

    • air fried samosa appetizers with dip.
      Air Fryer Frozen Samosa
    • Bowl of Chimichurri rice.
      Chimichurri Rice
    • ghana meat pies on a platter.
      Ghanaian Meat Pie
    • Jollof rice Ghanaian style, molded in a small bowl on a plate.
      Jollof Rice Ghanaian

    Footer

    ↑ back to top
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact
    • About
    • Amazon Store
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • LinkedIn

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Smells Like Delish