Accompaniments and sides
Pico De Gallo | Salsa Fresca Recipe

Pico De Gallo | Salsa Fresca Recipe


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Pico De Gallo | Salsa Fresca Recipe | Mexican Salsa Fresca | How to make Pico De Gallo at home

Pico De Gallo | Salsa Fresca Recipe | Mexican Salsa Fresca | How to make Pico De Gallo at home with step by step instructions.

This easy Pico De Gallo is a refreshing Mexican raw salsa that one can enjoy mouthfuls, with home made Nacho chips. It is such a quick dip to make when running against time. No cooking involved! That’s the best part. Just grab some chips or tacos and get going with this hearty salsa. Above oil it is oil free and gluten free.

Fresh Salsa Recipe

What is Pico De Gallo

The word ‘Pico de Gallo’ (pronounced as pi-ko duh gay-yo) is a type of salsa from Mexican cuisine where it is also known as salsa fresca (‘fresh sauce’), salsa cruda (‘raw sauce’) and salsa bandera (‘flag sauce’). Pico de Gallo is traditionally made from freshly chopped tomato, onion, and peppers (serrano, jalapenos or habaneros) with salt, lime juice, and cilantro.

This salad (or dip) is vital ingredient of tortillas, tacos or nachos.

The rich crimson color of tomatoes gives this salad a remarkable appeal. It is a versatile salad. You can add or swap tomatoes with mangoes or pineapple.

Pico de Gallo is a Spanish word, which means rooster’s beak. Why a rooster’s beak? It seems originally people ate by pinching the Pico de Gallo between their thumb and index finger thus forming shape of rooster’s beak. (Source – Wikipedia )

Ingredients for Pico de Gallo recipe

Pico de Gallo Ingredients

For Measurements refer to the RECIPE CARD further below

Tomatoes – Use tomatoes with thin skin and are firm.

Onions

Green chili – Use hot or mild varieties whatever you can tolerate.

Garlic – 1-2 cloves finely chopped

Cilantro/coriander leaves – finely chopped. Gives freshness & appeal

Lime juice – use freshly squeezed lime juice

Herbs & spices – dried oregano, roasted cumin powder, salt, black pepper powder

Video

Pico De Gallo for Nachos/Grills | Salsa Fresca Recipe | Mexican Salsa Fresca

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How to Make Mexican Fresca Salsa at Home

Preparation for Pico de Gallo

Firstly , select tomatoes with thin skin. Rinse and remove the pulp and seeds. Chop into small pieces.

 remove pulp and seeds
Remove pulp and seeds
chop tomatoes finely
Chop tomatoes finely

Secondly, finely chop the onions. You may use red or white varieties.

chop onions finely
Chop onions finely

Thirdly, slit and remove seeds from green chilies. Finely chop the chilies.

slit green chili
Slit green chili
chop green chili
Chop green chili

Then, finely chop or smash a clove of garlic.

finely chop garlic
Finely chop garlic

Also finely chop cilantro leaves.

Tossing for Salsa Fresca

In a mixing bowl add tomatoes, onions, chilies, cilantro leaves, dried oregano, roasted cumin powder, salt, black pepper powder and lime juice.

Toss everything together.

add all ingredients in a salad bowl
Add all ingredients in a salad bowl
Toss fresh salsa
Toss well.

Keep it in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

Serve with nacho chips.

What to serve with Pico de Gallo

Serve with tacos, enchiladas or grilled meat. Top Pico de Gallo generously over a platter of Nacho chips and enjoy. Because this salsa does not have much liquid, it is goes well with tacos and fajitas.

Since it is similar to the Indian tomato- onion salad, Pico de Gallo goes well with Tandoori Chicken as well.

Enjoy loaded Nachos with Pineapple Virgin Mojito

Tips for a perfect Salsa Fresca Recipe

This is raw Salsa, so use freshest and good quality ingredients.

Fresh salsa is a chunky salad , I would suggest to chop everything into small pieces fr maximum flavors.

Select good quality tomatoes that have thin skin and less seeds. Remove pulp and seeds before chopping.

Onions quantity is substantial but must not overpower the tomatoes.

Make Pico de Gallo a few hours ahead of time and store in fridge.

At the time of serving, serve with slotted spoon to avoid the liquids run onto the plates.

Variations of Pico De Gallo

Swap or add Avocado for Avocado Salsa.

Use grilled corn for Corn Salsa.

Substitute raw tomatoes with grilled ones.

Add some Pineapple pieces to Salsa.

Do leave a feedback below in the COMMENTS SECTION or my FACEBOOK PAGE.

Recipe Card

Pico De Gallo

Pico De Gallo | Salsa Fresca Recipe

Pico De Gallo is a refreshing raw salsa that one can enjoy mouthfuls, with home made Nacho chips. It is such a quick dip to make when running against time.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Course Accompaniments, condiments, Dips, Salad
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 salad bowl
  • 1 set salad mixing spoon fork set

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large tomatoes finely chopped.
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped.
  • 2 green chilies finely chopped. finely chopped. Use hot or mild varieties whatever you can tolerate.
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped.
  • 1/8 cup cilantro/coriander leaves – finely chopped.
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp lime juice adjust quantity as desired. Use freshly squeezed lime juice.

Herbs & spices

  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper powder
  • Salt as needed

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Firstly, select tomatoes with thin skin.
  • Rinse and remove the pulp and seeds. Chop into small pieces.
  • Secondly, finely chop the onions. You may use red or white varieties.
  • Thirdly, slit and remove seeds from green chilies. Finely chop the chilies.
  • Then, finely chop or smash two cloves of garlic.
  • Also finely chop cilantro leaves.

Tossing

  • In a mixing bowl add tomatoes, onions, chilies, cilantro leaves, dried oregano, roasted cumin powder, salt, black pepper powder and lime juice.
  • Toss everything together.
  • Add all ingredients in a salad bowl
  • Toss well.
  • Keep it in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
  • Serve with nacho chips.

What to serve with Pico de Gallo

  • Serve with tacos, enchiladas or grilled meat. Top Pico de Gallo generously over a platter of Nacho chips and enjoy bliss.
  • Since it is similar to the Indian tomato- onion salad, Pico de Gallo goes well with Tandoori Chicken as well.
  • Enjoy loaded Nachos with Pineapple Virgin Mojito

Notes

  • Since this is fresh Salsa, so use freshest and good quality ingredients.
  • Fresh salsa is a chunky salad , I would suggest to chop everything into small pieces fr maximum flavors .
  • Select good quality tomatoes that have thin skin and less seeds. Remove pulp and seeds before chopping.
  • Onions quantity is substantial but not overpowering the tomatoes in presentation and taste.
  • Make Pico de Gallo a few hours ahead of time and store in fridge.
  • At the time of serving, serve with slotted spoon to avoid the liquids run onto our plates.
Keyword Fresh Salsa, how to make pico de gallo, no cooking, Raw Salsa, salsa fresca, Salsa salad

FAQ

What is difference between Pico De Gallo and Salsa

Pico de Gallo is made from raw ingredients whereas for salsa the ingredients are cooked. The liquid content is more in salsa.

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Pico De Gallo

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1 year ago

[…] with Pico de Gallo, Salsa , herbed sour cream or […]

Archana
Archana
5 months ago

5 stars
Pico de gallo salsa is my go-to salad when I run short of veggies. I never have added garlic to it, but the addition of garlic will be enjoyed a lot. Thanks, I will definitely make some tonight, I am craving it now.

Seema Sriram
5 months ago

5 stars
Pico de gallo and nacho chips are our house celebration menu. we love the freshness of the pico de gallo.

Priya Srinivasan
5 months ago

5 stars
Such a refreshing and colorful salsa ! We love to have it for our weekend get togethers! Simple, yet punchy side.

kalyani
kalyani
4 months ago

5 stars
My little one makes this by herself with a dash of tabasco.. and we enjoy with the roti nachos made at home. inviting colours for Pico de Gallo, Neha !

Sarika (Spice Zone)
4 months ago

5 stars
This Pica de Gallo is so easy and adds so much flavor to the tacos. So similar to our kachumber type of salad.