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You are here: Home » Recipes » Salsas

Pico de Gallo Salsa (Authentic Salsa Mexicana)

Published: Apr 21, 2009 · Updated: May 14, 2021 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

Pico de Gallo is a fresh, raw salsa with great flavor that can be eaten with tacos, burritos, or as a topping for rice and beans. This salsa recipe will teach you how to make this delicious Mexican dish at home!

a bowl of fresh pico de gallo salsa

Perhaps most of you already know this delicious salsa, but hey! It is close to summer, and grilling season is about to start (at least here in my area), and I find this a good reason to post this recipe.

Jump to:
  • History Behind Salsa Mexicana
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Pico De Gallo
  • Different Variations Of This Pico Recipe
  • Authentic Pico De Gallo Salsa
  • What to serve with pico de gallo
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Salsa Mexicana, or “Pico de Gallo Salsa”, known in some areas of México, is one of the easiest salsas to make. It can be ready in a matter of minutes to top your grilled chicken, steaks, or fish! Basically any meal you like! The name Salsa Mexican comes because it has the color of the Mexican Flag: Red, white and green.

History Behind Salsa Mexicana

It is said that salsa Mexicana, also known as pico de gallo or just pico, originated in the state of Puebla. The name pico de gallo means "rooster's beak" and some say the name comes because it looks like it was chopped by a rooster's beak. Others believe that the way it is chopped resembles a rooster meal.

It is said that people back then used to use two fingers to pick the salsa and eat it forming a beak with their fingers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Pico De Gallo

Before I share my recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked and I wanted to answer.

Which tomatoes are best for making salsa?

The best tomatoes are the vine-ripened red ones you buy at your local farmer market in season - they are the sweetest! Just remember to let the tomatoes become fully ripe; when you bring them from the store most times, they need more time to be ready.

Also, I don't use store-bought cherry tomatoes. They're not flavorful enough unless they are organic.

If you don't have access to these types of tomatoes, plum tomatoes are another good option. If you live in an area where they are hard to find some people had used canned tomatoes, you will need to rinse them first, but they're not as sweet.

How do I make salsa without tomatoes?

You can substitute tomatoes with avocados and mangoes to make a delicious avocado salsa or molcajete. You can even make pico de gallo with pineapple! There is another Pico de Gallo Salsa in some regions of Mexico that use fruit, like Mango and oranges.

However, depending on the final dish you are preparing, using these alternatives will be different, so it's up to you!

Which is the best spicy pepper to use for pico de gallo?

I like to use 2 serrano peppers but you can also swap it out for 1 jalapeño pepper instead. If you use Habanero pepper, like in Yucatan, then it is called "Xnipec Salsa"

Can I make prep the ingredients ahead of time?

You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, making sure they are stored in the refrigerator in separate containers, as shown in the picture below. 

How long does this salsa last in the fridge?

It may last up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator but I don't recommend keeping it any longer than that due to oxidation and spoilage.

Plus, after a few days, the flavors of the pico will start losing their freshness and it won't taste as good.

Different Variations Of This Pico Recipe

You know that most of the ingredients in a Mexican salsa are a combination of tomatoes and chopped peppers, fresh or cooked, and seasoned in many different ways.

Some have lime juice, cilantro, avocado, red onion, scallions, and even fruit! Each region of the country (as well as families) have their own special variations.

For us at home, it gets a little twist when we eat baked chicken rotisserie-style. I personally like to add finely chopped cabbage and radishes. My family likes to use it on a salad or to top our favorite tacos (especially these tacos al pastor).

If you have a special variation of this salsa, please let me know. I would love to try it!

Authentic Pico De Gallo Salsa

This recipe for authentic salsa Mexicana will teach you how to make this delicious dish that can serve as an appetizer or side dish with the main course.

Here's a list of everything you need:

  • Ripe tomato (finely chopped)
  • Onion (finely chopped)
  • Serrano peppers
  • Lime juice
  • Cilantro (finely chopped)
  • Salt

Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

ingredients needed to make pico de gallo

How To Make Salsa Pico De Gallo: Step By Step Tutorial

This recipe is super easy to make!

All you need to do is:

  • Add the chopped tomato, onion, and serrano pepper to a bowl.
  • Add the cilantro, lime juice, and salt as well.
  • Mix gently until all the ingredients are coated with lime juice.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy!

What to serve with pico de gallo

Whenever I make this fresh salsa at home, I love to make some sort of a taco like these crispy cod tacos and these chorizo potato tacos to eat with. The tomatoes and lime juice from the salsa really give the tacos some light freshness they really need sometimes.

I also like to use the pico and add a spoonful of it to my black bean soup and salad!

Authentic Mexican Pico de gallo

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for pico de gallo salsa, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

  • Hot Piquin Salsa
  • Fresh Salsa Roja
  • Creamy Jalapeño Salsa
  • Habanero Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
  • Red Molcajete Salsa

I hope you make this authentic Mexican tomato salsa! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely

📖 Recipe

Pico de Gallo Salsa

Mely Martínez
Salsa Mexicana or Pico de Gallo Salsa as it is known in some areas of México, is one of the simplest of Salsas and it can be ready in a matter of minutes to top your grilled chicken, steaks or fish. I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe.
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Salsas
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16 servings ( 2 tablespoon each)
Calories 4 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large ripe tomato finely chopped
  • ⅓ large onion finely chopped
  • 2 serrano peppers or 1 jalapeño pepper finely chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ⅓ cup of cilantro finely chopped
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, making sure they are stored in the refrigerator in separated containers as shown in the picture.
  • Put the chopped tomato, onion, serrano pepper in a bowl. Add the cilantro, the lime juice and salt, mix gently until all the ingredients are coated with the lime juice. You can eat this pico de gallo salsa right away or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.

This salsa will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days… the consistency won’t be the same but you can still use it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 73mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 2.9mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren

      June 09, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out great! Thanks for the recipe! My jalapeños were really spicy, so I used half and removed the seeds!

      Reply
    2. Phyllis

      February 24, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      Delighted to find your website. The pico de gallo is delicious and a terrific accompaniment to carnitas.

      Reply
    3. Linda

      January 29, 2019 at 12:05 am

      I make my pico with peaches or mango then serve with hot wings

      Reply
    4. beejay

      December 31, 2018 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      I had to come back and check your recipe. I was feeling lazy and ordered pico de gallo from my local Safeway. It's usually pretty good and made fresh daily, but this time it was just flat. I finally realized that there was no acid or salt, just the cut up "veggies." I thought maybe I'd only imagined the lime juice and salt in the recipe. ;))) Guess I'll have to doctor this up and get back to making my own.

      Thanks for the first recipe that gave me good results. And I wanted to say that your new pic in the newsletter is great. Those glasses really suit you, and the longer hair. Good going!

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        January 02, 2019 at 11:37 am

        Hello Beejay,

        Thank you for coming back and for your kind words.

        Reply
    5. Anonymous

      June 19, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      Great site, now saved to my favourites, thank you! Your pico looks lovely. I like to add mango or pineapple to mine.

      Reply
    6. sassycondiments

      June 29, 2010 at 5:44 am

      I just found your site looking for pico de gallo. This is beautiful site to visit. Thank you, I will be back.

      Reply
    7. Angela

      April 26, 2009 at 3:23 am

      This brings back wonderful memories of Queretaro, Mexico, where I lived as an exchange student. I love this salsa -- so simple and full of flavor. Thanks for stopping by blog -- I love yours!

      Reply
    8. Mely (mimk)

      April 21, 2009 at 1:27 pm

      Hi there Jen,
      I saw those quesadillas you make, they will go great with the pico de gallo.

      Doggybloggy, you sure keep busy cooking. Very healthy.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
    9. doggybloggy

      April 21, 2009 at 12:02 pm

      this has to be one of my favorites.....

      Reply
    10. Steve White

      April 21, 2009 at 9:03 am

      Wow, good article. I am having a party this weekend and this will be perfect. Hey, wanted to let you know that there is another website called Wacai that you should post your article on. It has a lot of similar stuff on it. I know that you can link your website to it and it will give you a list of similar articles. It's pretty useful, anyways thanks again!

      Reply
    11. Jen @ MyKitchenAddiction.com

      April 21, 2009 at 1:32 am

      Looks fantastic - I love Pico de Gallo! Que delicioso!

      Reply

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    Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

    Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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