This Fresh and Zesty Pico de Gallo is a great way to add freshness and flavour to any dish. Use it on top of a casserole, chicken, fish, or just scoop it up with tortilla chips.
What is Pico de Gallo?
Pico de Gallo sounds fancy, but it’s really not. It’s a fresh Mexican salsa (salsa fresca) in the most simple form. The picante flavours of this fresh salsa may have something to do with it’s odd name. Loosely translated, Pico de gallo means ‘Beak of the Rooster’ while ‘picante’ means ‘prickly’, ‘hot’, or ‘biting’ in Spanish. We all know that roosters can be very ‘picante’!
What is Pico de Gallo Made From?
The primary ingredients are tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt, olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, and serranos (and sometimes jalapeños). Sad news for all you cilantro haters out there because it is an integral part to the flavour of this fresh salsa. The components are all roughly chopped and not processed in any other way, so that the salsa fresca is chunky and less watery than many Mexican salsas.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and get this post sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you my weekly newsletter featuring the newest and best Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen recipes every week!
How to Choose the Best Tomatoes
The freshest ingredients are best…especially when choosing tomatoes. Don’t be tempted to buy the mealy mid winter tomatoes because they are full of water and have zero flavour. Instead, spring for the ruby red hot house grown tomatoes. Let your nose be the guide! A quick sniff will either reveal aromas are cardboard (pass) or the intense umami , of a freshly picked tomato. This is your time to be choosy, the flavour of your salsa fresca depends on it.
What Do You Eat Pico de Gallo With?
The short answer is fresh tortilla chips. There’s nothing better than digging into a lively bowl of salsa fresca on a hot summer’s day, especially when it’s paired with a cold beer or margarita. The chunky texture and low water content makes it a great topping for tacos, burritos, or casseroles. Spoon it over freshly grilled seafood or chicken or enjoy it mixed with pasta, hot or cold.
Pin it HERE.
Fresh Salsas from Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
If you make this Pico de Gallo recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making! Thank you so much for reading my blog.
Pico de Gallo
This Fresh and Zesty Pico de Gallo is a great way to add freshness and flavour to any dish. Use it on top of a casserole, chicken, fish, or just scoop it up with tortilla chips.
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes; de-seeded and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 cup purple onion; finely diced
- 1 clove garlic; finely minced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- jalapeno; de-seeded and finely diced (optional)
Instructions
- Finely chop tomatoes, then add salt and let sit while you chop the other ingredients.
- Add onions, garlic, olive oil and lime juice and mix to combine.
- Add in chopped cilantro and gently combine into tomato mixture.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 24Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 356mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.
