The Best Homemade Pico De Gallo Recipe

Jump to Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade pico de gallo recipe! Fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, herbs, and spices combine to create a refreshing condiment or dip.

Up close photo of pico de gallo in a white bowl surrounded by tortilla chips.

What is Pico De Gallo?

Also known as salsa fresca or salsa cruda, pico de gallo is a type of fresh salsa common in Mexican cuisine. Typically, it is made with ripe tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice.

Our recipe is a fun twist on classic pico de gallo recipes. We made it a little less spicy to keep it picky eater friendly. But it’s every bit as tasty as the original!

Pico De Gallo Ingredients

Tomatoes on the vine, halved limes, halved red onion and fresh cilantro on a countertop.

Tomatoes – Any variety of tomatoes will work in this recipe. We typically use store-bought Roma tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or our garden tomatoes.
Red Onion – This adds a bit of crunch and a tangy taste. Feel free to use white onion if preferred.
Cilantro – Freshly chopped cilantro adds a vibrant, refreshing taste.
Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed is best!
Spices – We use garlic salt and black pepper. You won’t find garlic salt in many recipes but it’s so tasty!

Variations

Feel free to mix and match different ingredients to make this recipe your own and suit your flavor preferences! Some great ways to switch it up include:

Overhead photo of two bowls of homemade pico de gallo with tortilla chips.

Replacing the tomato with fruits such as mango, peaches, pineapple, or strawberries.
Adding more crunch with chopped bell pepper, cucumber, or fresh corn.
Incorporating spice with a pinch of cumin, coriander, or jalapeños.
Enhancing the texture with mix-ins like avocado or black beans.

How to Make the Best Homemade Pico De Gallo Recipe

Add the diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl.

Chopped tomatoes on a wooden cutting board with whole tomatoes and a knife.

Diced red onion on a cutting board with the other onion half and knife.

Stir to combine, and season to taste.

A woman's hand squeezing fresh lime juice over pico de gallo ingredients.

Garlic salt being poured into a bowl of pico de gallo ingredients.

Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Tips for Success

Use High-Quality Ingredients. Because there are so few ingredients in this recipe, quality really does matter. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes and cilantro.
Chop the Ingredients Finely. Use a sharp knife or veggie chopper to chop the ingredients into equal-sized pieces. That way you get a bit of everything in each bite!
Use the Tomato Flesh. Chop the tomatoes finely. Remove the seeds, and discard any watery pieces. Otherwise, your pico is likely to become soggy.
Chill. Allow the mixture to chill in the fridge before serving. This allows the tomatoes to firm up and the flavors to blend nicely.

Homemade pico de gallo in a white bowl surrounded by tortilla chips.

Serving Suggestions

Use homemade pico de gallo as a dip with tortilla chips or to add flavor to a variety of recipes. It’s great on:

Salads
Tacos or Walking Tacos
Quesadillas
Burritos
Enchiladas
Nachos
Salsa Verde Shredded Beef

Common Questions

Can I store this recipe?

This recipe is best served right away. However, if you have leftovers or want to prepare in advance, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

What’s the difference between pico de gallo and salsa?

Pico de gallo is a type of salsa. However, salsa features cooked ingredients that are blended or mashed while pico uses fresh, chopped ingredients for a refreshing flavor and chunkier consistency.

What does pico de gallo mean?

When translated, pico de gallo literally means “beak of rooster.” Some believe it got its name because it was originally eaten by pinching it between the thumb and forefinger, resembling a beak. However, there’s no definitive answer to the name.

Fresh pico de gallo in a white bowl with a spoon and tortilla chips.

Print Recipe

Homemade Pico De Gallo Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade pico de gallo recipe with ripe tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: homemade pico de gallo, pico de gallo

Servings: servings (1/2 cup each)

Calories: 25kcal

Cost: $5.00

Equipment

Ingredients

6 large 1 ½ pounds/700 grams roma tomatoes, finely chopped (3 to 4 cups)
1/2 red onion finely chopped (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
Handful fresh cilantro finely chopped (⅓ to 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup lime juice or about 3 limes squeezed
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

In a medium bowl, add the diced tomatoes, onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic salt, and black pepper.
6 large, 1/2 red onion, Handful fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup lime juice or about 3 limes squeezed, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Stir together until combined and season to taste.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Notes

Any variety of tomatoes will work in this recipe. We typically use store-bought Roma tomatoes or our garden tomatoes as they are the most inexpensive.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 25kcal

More Delicious Dips to Try

Did you enjoy this Homemade Pico De Gallo recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!