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Home » Recipes » Dip

Salsa Fresca (Pico de Gallo)

Jun 29, 2012 by Kaitlin · 4 Comments

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This homemade Salsa Fresca recipe (Pico de Gallo) is so fresh and tasty! It's quick and easy to prepare, plus great on a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Salsa fresca in a white serving bowl with tortilla chip for dipping

Salsa fresca is the BEST! It's so refreshing, healthy, and easy to prepare. Best of all, it only requires 5 simple ingredients (plus salt).

Pico de Gallo is a fresh tomato salsa commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It's typically made with fresh tomatoes, onion, serrano pepper (or jalapeño), fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt. (However this is simply my own favorite version.)

Enjoy it as a refreshing condiment, appetizer, or dip served with tortilla chips. I also love it on Mexican-inspired cuisine to give it that extra flavor and texture!

Vine tomatoes, white onion, fresh cilantro, jalapeno, lime, and salt ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for Salsa Fresca

For this recipe, you'll toss together in a medium bowl:

  • Vine-ripened tomatoes: Be sure to use flavorful, ripe tomatoes in this recipe because that can make all the difference. Most often I use tomatoes on the vine, but roma tomatoes can also work depending on what's available. Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes could even work for a bolder, sweeter flavor if you prefer.
  • White onion: Most often I use white onion, but you can substitute yellow onion or red onion.
  • Jalapeño pepper: I find jalapeños can range in their spiciness level. To keep the salsa mild, I leave out the seeds and inner ribs. However you could completely omit the jalapeño or use poblano instead. Or if you really like spiciness, feel free to use two jalapeños or even serrano peppers for more spice.
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime juice: Fresh lime juice works best. I like two tablespoons (which is about one lime) but adjust the amount to your liking.
  • Salt: Adding some fine-grain salt really helps bring out the flavors. However use as much or as little as preferred.
Overhead view of preparing salsa fresca in a large glass bowl with wooden spoon

Customizing

Ingredient amounts: Fine-tune the ingredients to suit your taste because this recipe is quite forgiving! Use more or less salt, onion, cilantro, lime juice, etc.

Flavor variations: A quarter teaspoon of ground cumin is also a great addition. Or stir in a minced garlic clove (even though this isn't typically included in authentic Pico de Gallo).

Other additions: Stir in diced avocado, sweet corn, or even black beans for a different variation.

Spicy version: For more heat, swap in serrano peppers instead of jalapeño peppers. (Serrano peppers are spicier.)

Fresh salsa fresca in a white bowl with serving spoon

Storing

For best flavor: You can serve the salsa right away, however it tastes bests after it marinates for at least 15-20 minutes. Even better, let it chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight!

How to store: Place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy. I find it keeps for about 3-4 days. As it sits, the salt will bring out more liquid from the tomatoes. So feel free to use a slotted spoon for serving to leave behind the excess liquid if desired.

Serving

This fresh salsa is so versatile and tasty on a wide variety of Mexican dishes! A few ideas include:

  • On Chickpea-Walnut Taco Crumbles
  • On Tofu Scramble or breakfast burritos like this Southwest Tofu Burrito
  • As a dip with tortilla chips (great for snacks, side dishes, and appetizers)
  • On Vegan Burrito Bowls with avocado or guacamole
  • On nachos, fajitas, tostadas, quesadillas, or tacos
Close up view of fresh pico de gallo (salsa fresca) in a white bowl with tortilla chip

For more inspiration, also browse all sauce and seasoning recipes.

Salsa fresca in a white serving bowl with tortilla chip for dipping

Salsa Fresca (Pico de Gallo)

Fresh, delicious, and easy to make! This pico de gallo is great on a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes, or as a dip with chips.
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Mexican-inspired, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 5 (1/2 cup servings)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. vine-ripened tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup white onion
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1-2 jalapeño peppers
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions

  • Finely dice the tomatoes and onion. (I remove and discard some of the excess liquid & seeds from the tomatoes.)
  • Chop the cilantro. Finely dice the jalapeño. (I remove the seeds and ribs, handling carefully.)
  • Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Add lime juice and salt. Toss well.
  • Taste and adjust the flavors as desired with more onion, lime juice, cilantro, etc. You can serve it immediately, but for best flavor allow it marinate in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to let the flavors combine.

Notes

Spicy level: Jalapeños can range in spiciness. To keep it mild, I omit the seeds and inner ribs. However you could omit the jalapeño, or use poblano instead. If you like it spicy, feel free to use two jalapeños or even serrano pepper for more spice.
Tomatoes: Most often I use tomatoes on the vine, but roma tomatoes can work too. Be sure your tomatoes are ripe and flavorful as that can make all the difference.
Yield: Recipe makes a heaping 2.5 cups fresh salsa.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Salsa Fresca (Pico de Gallo)
Amount per Serving
Calories
23
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.2
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.03
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.03
g
Potassium
 
250
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
5
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
861
IU
17
%
Vitamin C
 
19
mg
23
%
Calcium
 
14
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you're enjoying this salsa fresca recipe (pico de gallo), also check out:

  • Vegan Bean Dip
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  • Corn and Black Bean Fajitas

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Stephen says

    November 11, 2024 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    The first time I made it I used jalapeño and serrano peppers, removing many of the seeds to keep it at the level of spiciness I prefer. I let it sit in the fridge overnight as you suggested. It turned out to be the best pico de gallo I have ever tasted! I serve it with chips. I just made another batch and tasted it and it is just as delicious as the first batch. I can’t wait until tomorrow to eat it. I may have to have some tonight after dinner. 🙂 Thank you for the delicious and easy recipe.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      November 11, 2024 at 7:26 pm

      Hello, Stephen! That's awesome to hear how much you enjoyed it. (And great call with the jalapeño & serrano combo.) Hope you enjoy your second batch just as much. Thanks for coming back to share your kind and thoughtful feedback - it's very appreciated!

      Reply
  2. Jane R. says

    April 26, 2022 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    Made this over the weekend for a gathering and it was delicious! Served it with tortilla chips next to homemade guacamole.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      April 26, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      Wonderful to hear!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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