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Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)

Pico de Gallo AKA Salsa Fresca is simple and easy. An utterly delicious blend of garden fresh produce with a squeeze of fresh lime and a pinch of salt.

Pico de Gallo or Salsa Fresco is the most famous and popular of all Mexican salsas for its freshness with rich flavor.

This post has been updated from its original June 2015 publishing with edits to the text, recipe clarification, and grammar. 

The fact I make this salsa still shocks me.

I hated cilantro unnecessarily for years because of this dish.

Raw tomatoes were Ewww at best. Now, when using fresh garden tomatoes, it’s a delicious thing to eat. It’s utterly easy and super quick to make.

Back in my late teen years I worked for Taco Bell and had to put the pico de gallo together “fresh” in the store. It was just so over-powering that I hated most pico ingredients for years. Luckily, I grew up-palate wise, and now I adore cilantro and pico.

If you’re ever invited to gathering and you need to make something last minute, is your go-to item. You can quickly pick up the items, chop, mix, let sit 5 minutes and you’re good to go.

How Spicy is Pico de Gallo?

I am not a fan of super spicy food. I am wimp, always have been, but now, after gastric bypass, I am super-wimpy. I can’t go beyond two jalapeños in my pico. I remove both the seeds and the ribs.

However, I have been told more is more. This becomes one of those things you have to ultimately decide on your own. You like it hot, add more, don’t remove seeds. If you’re a wimp like me, decrease them.

If you really want to have a pepper flavor but no real heat, go for a poblano. That will impart great flavor but not much heat (removing the seeds and ribs as well.)

Pico de Gallo ~ The Complete Savorist

What is Pico de Gallo?

Pico de gallo or Salsa Fresca is easily translated to fresh salsa. This is not a salsa that is cooked. 

The most basic recipe for Pico de gallo consists of 6 ingredients. 

  • fresh tomatoes
  • onions
  • jalapeños
  • fresh cilantro
  • fresh squeeze lime juice
  • salt

That’s it. You can whip this up and serve it immediately, however, I do recommend covering it and allowing it to chill out for minimum of 5 minutes, but a good half hour is awesome. 

When I make this, I remove the gooey, seedy part of the tomatoes, leaving only the flesh. I simply am not a fan of the gooeyness. However, to each his/her own, so proceed according to your own tastes.  

Pico de Gallo ~ The Complete Savorist

Easy Fresh Salsa Recipes

Here are a few other fresh salsa recipes you might enjoy that are as easy as this pico de gallo but have different flavor twists. 

Easy Mango Salsa can be prepared and served in a matter of minutes.

Corn Poblano Salsa is a seasonally fresh salsa.

Pico de Gallo ~ The Complete Savorist

Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: salsa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Author: Michelle De La Cerda

Pico de Gallo AKA Salsa Fresca is simple and easy. An utterly delicious blend of garden fresh produce with a squeeze of fresh lime and a pinch of salt. 

Print

Ingredients

  • 1 lb tomatoes (3-5); diced
  • 1/4 cup white onions; diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro; chopped
  • 2-3 jalapeños; de-seeded and de-veined.
  • 2 tsp fresh lime juice
  • Pinch of salt.

Instructions

  1. Chopped all ingredients.
  2. Mix together in a bowl.
  3. Let sit for at least 10 minutes.
  4. Stir and serve.

Pico de Gallo ~ The Complete SavoristPico de Gallo ~ The Complete Savorist

Thank you for sharing!

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29 Comments

  • Reply
    Arthur in the Garden!
    June 8, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy!

  • Reply
    Debra @ Bowl Me Over
    June 9, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Such a fan of Pico de Gallo and me….love it spicy hot! Your recipe looks delish and what a treat!

  • Reply
    Des @ Life's Ambrosia
    June 17, 2015 at 12:24 am

    I adore pico! It wasn’t one of my favorites for a long time but now, like you, as Ive grown up a bit I LOVE it. I cant wait to make some with my tomatoes from my garden this year 🙂

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 17, 2015 at 12:40 am

      Pico with home-grown garden tomatoes is heaven.

  • Reply
    Sylvie
    June 17, 2015 at 2:41 am

    There’s nothing like fresh homemade salsa!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 17, 2015 at 10:08 am

      Couldn’t agree more.

  • Reply
    Catherine
    June 17, 2015 at 5:15 am

    Dear Michelle, what a wonderful recipe. Nothing compares to a bowl of fresh salsa in the summer. This sounds delish! xo, Catherine

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 17, 2015 at 10:09 am

      Thank you so much Catherine.

  • Reply
    allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
    June 18, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    5 stars
    Dear Michelle, I love fresh Pico de Gallo. Simple and so delicious. Your photos are beautiful as always!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 18, 2015 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you Allie, you’re too kind.

  • Reply
    Debra @ Bowl Me Over
    June 18, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    Love pico de gallo – always a go to for a football game. Your recipe looks terrific!

  • Reply
    Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert
    June 18, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    5 stars
    I love pico de gallo and your’s looks fantastic! Ever since I joined Weight Watchers years ago and was told it was a “free” food it has since been my go-to topping for anything and everything with no guilt!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 18, 2015 at 10:26 pm

      Sabrina, you made me chuckle, dill pickles and mustard are 0 point items on WW, I learned that eons ago and they became my go-to items as a result.

  • Reply
    Jean | lemons & anchovies
    June 18, 2015 at 10:09 pm

    Nothing beats fresh salsa–I will admit that I never make it at home because my parents give me a steady supply in the summer from their vegetable garden. I bet this tastes so good! Pass the tortilla chips!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 18, 2015 at 10:28 pm

      If it is free and comes to you, take it! 🙂

  • Reply
    Sara
    June 19, 2015 at 1:26 am

    This looks so light and refreshing, I’m going to make it with tomatoes from my garden when they ripen!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 19, 2015 at 4:24 am

      Fresh from the garden tomatoes are the very best.

  • Reply
    pam (Sidewalk Shoes)
    June 19, 2015 at 4:46 am

    I love cilantro, so I always make my own salsa so that I can add plenty!

  • Reply
    Lauren @ Wicked Spatula
    June 19, 2015 at 5:28 am

    I adore pico! I could put it on everything!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      June 19, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      I completely understand.

  • Reply
    nibbles By Nic
    June 19, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Fresh, tasty and seasonal…no need to twist my arm here! YUM! xo Nic

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