Pico de Gallo
Fresh chopped tomato, onion, serrano, cilantro, and lime.
Ingredients
- 4 Tomato
- ½ Onion
- 1 Serrano chilies
- 4 tbsp Cilantro
- 1 Lime
- ½ tsp Salt
Method
- Halve the tomatoes, scoop out and discard the watery seeds and core, then finely dice the flesh (leave it in a sieve to drain while you work so the salsa doesn't go watery). Finely dice the onion and serrano and chop the cilantro.
- Juice the lime. Toss the diced vegetables and cilantro with the lime juice and salt.
- Let the pico rest 5-10 minutes so the salt draws out the juices and the flavors marry, then taste and adjust salt and lime.
- Serve with chips or tacos.
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About Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is a fresh, uncooked Mexican salsa, also known as salsa fresca or salsa cruda, made from raw tomato, onion, serrano chili, cilantro, and lime. Unlike a blended or cooked salsa, it's chunky and diced by hand, so every bite has distinct texture and each component stays clear on the palate. The serrano brings a clean, grassy heat, the lime and onion sharpness, and the cilantro its unmistakable green freshness. It comes together in about 10 minutes with no cooking at all, which makes it one of the most useful things you can keep in a Mexican kitchen.
The single technique that separates a good pico from a watery one is managing the tomato: seeding and coring it, then letting the diced flesh drain in a sieve so the salsa doesn't turn to soup. A brief rest after mixing is worth the wait too, since the salt draws out juices and lets the flavors marry before you adjust the final seasoning. It's a condiment more than a dish, spooned over tacos and grilled meats, scooped with chips, or piled onto eggs and beans. Because it's raw and lime-sharp, it's best made close to when you'll eat it, while the tomato is still firm and bright.
Pico de Gallo: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Pico de Gallo?
A serving has about 25 calories — 0.9g protein, 4.8g carbs, 0.4g fat, 1.3g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Pico de Gallo gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Pico de Gallo has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How many servings does Pico de Gallo make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.