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This easy pico de gallo recipe takes just 10 minutes! It’s a crisp and refreshing way to add flavor to meals. Also, this homemade salsa is fresh, budget-friendly, and adaptable to your flavor preferences, including pico de gallo without cilantro.
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Why You’ll Love this Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe!
Made with only five simple and fresh ingredients, this easy pico de gallo comes together in no time at all! It’s a quick way to add a burst of flavor and nutrition to your meal or snack time.
Originally, I made it to enjoy with Beanfields chips. Because of their support of Plant Based on a Budget, I’ve been able to keep resources free to you, and for that I am completely grateful!
This homemade pico de gallo is addicting when scooped with your favorite chips. Also, it makes a delicious topping to your favorite Mexican recipes, such as tofu tacos, vegan bean quesadillas, or veggie fajitas!
Ingredients for Pico de Gallo
This chunky salsa recipe is made with fresh ingredients which you can easily find in just about any grocery store. If you are lucky enough to have a farmer’s market, pick them up there for more fresh flavor.
- Tomatoes: The best tomatoes for this recipe are roma tomatoes. Because they are firm and flavorful, they hold up well with the other ingredients. However, you can use any tomatoes you have available.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is the traditional herb used in just about any type of salsa. But you can swap it with parsley if you prefer pico de gallo without cilantro.
- Red onion: The crispy, sharp bite of red onion works best in salsas and the tinge of purple looks great too. Alternatively, you can opt for a white or yellow onion.
- Jalapeño: An easy-to-find chile. Otherwise, feel free to swap it out for a spicier chile such as the serrano or habanero pepper.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice is the only way to go when making this homemade salsa.
How To Make Pico de Gallo Easy
This fresh tomato recipe takes just two simple steps to make and requires no cooking!
- Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl. Then mix them together well.
- Step 2: Serve right away. Alternatively, store to use for future meals!
Variations
- Tomatillos: Swap out half of the tomatoes with diced tomatillos.
- Fruit: Replace the tomatoes with fresh fruit. Also, strawberries, mango, and pineapple work especially well!
- Avocado: Diced up some fresh avocado and mix in!
- More Veggies: Add in cucumbers, bell peppers, jicama, and more! Likewise, this is a great way to use up what you have available in the fridge.
Toni’s Recipe Tips
- Storage: For best results store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meawhile, it doesn’t freeze well.
- Cut all the vegetables into similar-sized small pieces.
- Use fresh lime juice. In short, it tastes better and really in the long run is much less expensive.
- Less spicy: Most of the heat in the jalapeno is in the seeds and membranes in the jalapeno. Therefore, remove them for a less spicy version.
FAQs for Pico de Gallo
Since it’s made with all fresh ingredients, it will only last 3-5 days at the most when stored in the refrigerator. Therefore, the length of time will really depend on the freshness of the ingredients you used to prepare it.
First, this Spanish phrase translates to a “rooster beak or bill”. Likely called this because this fresh salad, made with finely chopped vegetables, was traditionally eaten with a finger and thumb which resembled a roosters beak.
The ingredients in these two dishes are very similar and sometimes exactly the same depending on the recipe. The main difference is in the texture. Pico is usually chunkier and made with small diced vegetables. Meanwhile, salsa is pureed in a blender or food processor.
It is naturally gluten-free, vegan, oil-free, low-carb, and full of lots of nutrients from all the fresh vegetables. It’s a healthy way to add fiber and flavor to all kinds of meals.
The traditional recipes are naturally vegan. Therefore vegan pico de gallo and vegetarian pico de gallo is the standard recipe you’ll find, made from fresh vegetables, lime juice, and salt.
What to Do with Pico de Gallo?
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, it’s so easy to find ways to use it up.
- Breakfast: Add some to your favorite tofu scramble or a tofu breakfast burrito.
- Easy Lunch: Serve with a vegan quesadilla or add it to your vegan taco salad or quinoa burrito!
- Sides: Stir it into cauliflower rice or regular rice for a quick Spanish rice. Also pairs fabulously with Instant Pot pinto beans or refried beans.
- Family Dinners: This pico de gallo is the perfect pairing with a hearty meal of tortilla pizzas, enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas!
- Snack: Use it as a snack during the week with air fryer tortilla chips or even fresh tortillas, alongside an easy guacamole!
More Delicious Vegan Salsa Recipes!
Vegan Appetizers
Homemade Roasted Red Salsa
Vegan Appetizers
Mango Cucumber Salsa
Vegan Appetizers
Avocado Green Salsa
Vegan Appetizers
5 Minute Restaurant Style Blender Salsa
If you tried this easy pico de gallo recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
If you’re loving my recipes and would like a more comprehensive resource, check out my cookbooks!
Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups of diced tomatoes
- ½ cup of cilantro chopped
- ½ of a small red onion finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño minced (remove seeds for less spice)
- ½ lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, add all the ingredients and mix together.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Storage: For best results store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It doesn’t freeze well.
- Cut all the vegetables into similar-sized small pieces.
- Use fresh lime juice. It tastes better and really in the long run is much less expensive.
- Less spicy: Most of the heat in the jalapeno is in the seeds and membranes in the jalapeno. Remove them for a less spicy version.
Such a simple recipe to make
Gotta love the simple ones!
Super fresh and delicious. My go-to pico de gallo recipe!
Same! So refreshing!
So fresh and delicious 😀
Yesss! Super refreshing and tasty!
yumm
It’s definitely a yummy one!
This pico is incredible!! Perfect for all kinds of recipes!
Agreed! So simple and delicious!
Great for summer pool parties! It is so tasty and so colorful!
Yesss! So easy to make too!
I’ve never thought to add jicama into salsa! What a great idea!!!
Jicama adds such a nice touch to the pico! Let us know what you think if you end up trying it 🙂
Love having fresh pico in the fridge to have with chips, on my tacos, or to put in my burritos! This was a great recipe that was super easy to follow! Thanks for sharing!
Pico de Gallo always brightens up any meal! So glad you enjoyed this one!
Pico de Gallo has never been easier to make than with this recipe. So delicious and refreshing. Will make again soon.
Right?! Toni makes it so easy!
My favorite dip! I make it all the time!
Same! It’s a great one to have on hand – plus it’s so easy!
The ultimate party dish. Love this pico de gallo!