Simple, fresh ingredients create a flavorful vibrancy to your favorite Mexican dishes!
We recently hosted a pumpkin carving dinner party at our house and of course, I wanted to serve food to our guests. With a mix of young ones, teens, and adults, I needed a meal that could be customized to each person’s preferences. What’s more customizable than a buffet-style taco bar?
To keep things simple, I opted for seasoned ground beef, Mexican Black Beans, and Authentic Mexican Rice. I also prepared some Baked Chicken Taquitos and Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce. But no Mexican dish is complete without a little (or a lot) of Homemade Pico de Gallo!
What is Pico de Gallo?
Pico de Gallo, also known as Salsa Fresca and Salsa Cruda, is a fresh tomato salsa popular in Mexican dishes. Though Pico de Gallo uses the same ingredients as salsa, it is prepared very differently. Salsa ingredients are typically raw or canned, and are pureed, with a more runny consistency. Pico de Gallo, however, uses raw ingredients that are finely diced or minced to create a chunkier consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Homemade Pico de Gallo is the perfect condiment for warm tortilla chips or as a topping for these delicious family favorites:
Ingredients Needed to Make Homemade Pico de Gallo
Tomatoes
Fresh, paste tomatoes are best. If you substitute, you’ll want to remove as much liquid and seeds from the tomato as possible. If fresh tomatoes aren’t in season, try using a smaller variety such as grape or cherry to get that wonderful tomato flavor.
Onions and Garlic
I love cooking with fresh onions and garlic. They give such a fantastic umami flavor and a sweetness that pairs beautifully with the acidity of the tomatoes
Jalapeno Peppers
Feel free to use your favorite spicy pepper here or leave it out completely for a more mild flavor.
Spices
When it comes to adding flavor, the right herbs and spices are key. Aromatic powerhouses like cilantro and cumin are sure to add a mouthwatering goodness to every bite!
Fresh Lime
Fresh lime zest and juice not only add a delicious vibrant flavor, but the acidity will help to bring out flavors from the other ingredients.
Salt and Pepper
Two simple, budget-friendly ingredients that offer so much to whatever you put them in. We have added a couple of sweet components to this sauce and now we need to add some saltiness and savoriness to help balance everything out.
Helpful Tips:
Wear gloves when working with hot peppers and wash hands thoroughly.
If you prefer a spicier Pico de Gallo, add the seeds and membranes from the peppers.
Use a non-reactive bowl, such as glass. Tomatoes contain citric acid, which can react with reactive metals like aluminum or copper, causing a metallic flavor.
Allow the Pico de Gallo to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour. The longer it rests, the better the flavors will be. Stir well before serving.
Ingredients
Yield: 3 ½ cups
6 large, Roma tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ large red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno pepper, deseeded and minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
¼ cup fresh cilantro
¼ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Directions
In a medium glass bowl, add tomatoes, garlic, onion, and jalapeno.
Add in lime zest and juice, fresh cilantro, salt, and pepper.
Lightly mix to combine.
Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
If you enjoyed this Homemade Pico de Gallo recipe, check out these other homemade
condiments:
Make-Ahead and Storage
Homemade Pico de Gallo can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Sharing Is Caring!
If you enjoyed this recipe, share it with someone who also loves delicious homemade food!
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