Learn how to make authentic pico de gallo with tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, and lime juice. It's fresh, flavorful, and easy to make in about 15 minutes.
Homemade pico de gallo, also called salsa fresca or salsa cruda, is a classic Mexican salsa that's loaded with fresh ingredients! It differs from other others in that the ingredients are fresh, uncooked, and finced chopped, rather than blended.
Living in Texas, we eat a lot of salsa. Fresh pico de gallo is my absolute favorite when tomato season rolls around. There's nothing better than juicy, ripe tomatoes!
Why you'll love this recipe
- It comes together with a handful of basic ingredients.
- Pico de gallo is bursting with fresh flavor!
- It's a mexican classic and delicious all year round.
If you enjoy this recipe, try my tomatillo salsa verde, smoked salsa, spicy peach salsa, or habanero mango salsa next!
Ingredient notes
- Tomatoes: Firm, fresh tomatoes are a must for pico. You can't go wrong with roma tomatoes, hot house, or beefsteak tomatoes.
- Onion: Crisp white onion is what's traditionally used in pico but red onion adds a nice taste if that's all you have on hand.
- Garlic: This might be controversial but I love adding fresh garlic to pico for extra flavor. It's not authentic, so feel free to leave it out.
- Jalapeno: If you aren't a fan of spicy salsa, make sure to remove the seeds in the jalapeno pepper. For more of a kick, try using serrano peppers instead.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds brightness to the pico and helps balance everything out.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a nice fresh, herbaceous flavor. Use as little or as much as you please.
- Salt: I suggest kosher salt to make all the flavors pop!
How to make pico de gallo
Find the full directions for this easy pico de gallo recipe in the printable recipe card below.
- Prep ingredients: Using a sharp knife, chop all of the ingredients, then place in a large mixing bowl. To cut the tomatoes for pico, slice each tomato into wedges and remove the seeds and centers of the tomato. Cut the tomatoes into thin strips and then dice into small ¼-inch bite-size pieces.
- Stir to combine: Once the ingredients have all been chopped, diced, and minced, give everything a big stir to combine. Taste the pico and add more salt or lime juice, if needed.
- Chill before serving: I recommend making pico ahead of time to allow the flavors to really come together for a robust, flavorful salsa! Cover pico and store in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. If you're short on time, go ahead and serve immediately.
Tips for homemade pico de gallo
- Chop by hands using a knife, not a food processor.
- Store pico in an airtight container.
- Serve with a slotted spoon.
- Make a double batch for parties, game day snacking, cinco de mayo, or any occasion!
OXO Good Grips Citrus SqueezerServing suggestions
Serve pico de gallo with crunchy tortilla chips and a smooth margarita. Might I suggest my limeade margarita, orange margarita, or ranch water!? Or spread on top of ground beef tacos, barbacoa tacos, brisket tacos, or my favorite - breakfast tacos!
Homemade Pico de Gallo
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced tomatoes about 4 medium tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped onion about ½ large onion
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice from 1 lime
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep and place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Cover and store in fridge until time to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
kay says
just bought groceries, now i need to go back for these ingredients, yum!!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Haha I hope you enjoy it!
Shannon says
Right up my alley. I love a simple yet healthy recipe. Can't wait to make this, thanks!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Great, enjoy!! 🙂
Terra Walker says
MMMMMM! I love fresh Pico de Gallo!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Same here!! 🙂
Brittany says
This would be awesome with some vegan queso or guacamole!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yes, the Taco Tuesday trifecta! 😉
Felicia says
I just pulled a ton of tomatoes from my garden - gonna give this a go!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Perfect!! Let me know how you like it 🙂
Julie Estrella says
Yum! I love pico de gallo! I could put it on everything, lol. Thanks for the recipe.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Oh, same here!! You're welcome 🙂
Emily Lauren says
Yum! I need to try this sometime!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, I hope you do!!
Jessica says
This looks good! (minus the jalapenos, because I am a total baby) Love how simple and fresh it is!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you!! I recently just started to add jalapenos because I'm also a wimp haha!
Jehava says
My favorite! I could eat this daily! Thanks for the recipe
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Heck yes, me too! You're welcome 🙂
jessicadevlin says
well, that doesn't sound too hard! I'm going to give it a try!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Very quick and very easy 🙂 I hope you do!!
jasperandwillow says
I wish there were enough words to explain how much I LOVE pico!!! Can't wait to try this!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
I totally understand 😉 Yay, enjoy!!
LeanneBrookes says
This looks so fresh and tasty! I know my husband's going to love it. He's a tomato, onion and jalepeno fiend! Thanks for sharing, Leanne X
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Haha so is my husband!! I hope you two enjoy 🙂
Lisa says
I am surprised how easy it is to make pico de gallo, this is a recipe I can definitely use. It will be great to make it up Tuesday to take with on our holiday at the lake next week!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
So easy, right!?! Yes totally 🙂
Stacey says
I LOVE fresh pico on tacos, I'm going to whip up a batch for Taco Tuesday! Thanks for sharing this delicious and easy recipe =)
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Right!! Fresh pico elevates everything 🙂 You're welcome, enjoy!!!
Kristen says
I could absolutely eat pico de gallo and chips for every meal of my life and be perfectly fine with it!!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Oh heck yes, me too!