This Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe comes together in a matter of minutes! Fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, lime, & garlic make this truly delicious.
This Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe is one of our most popular recipes (originally posted April 13, 2016), so I’ve updated it to include a how-to video! Enjoy!
Want more Mexican inspired dips? Be sure to also check out: fresh salsa, loaded queso, instant pot mexican corn dip, grilled corn and avocado salsa, and cream cheese salsa dip!
All hail this Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe. While this may be the easiest recipe EVER, it’s also one of my favorites.
But before we get to the recipe, I feel like we need to answer the # 1 question I always get:
What is the difference between salsa and authentic pico de gallo?
Salsa in Spanish means “sauce” and pico de gallo means “beak of rooster”.
So that doesn’t really tell us much does it?
Ha!
Basically, salsa is more of a “sauce” aka more liquid and pico de gallo has much less liquid and tends to be more chunky! Also, some salsas are cooked while pico de gallo is always left raw!
And now for most asked question # 2:
Why is it called pico de gallo?
This is debatable and I’d love to hear more in the comments below if you have any insight!
From what I’ve read, however, there are two main theories about why pico de gallo or “beak of rooster” got it’s name:
- It resembles the colors of a rooster
- People used to eat it by picking it up with their index finger and thumb, which resembles a rooster’s beak
Regardless of the technicalities of this recipe, let’s just say, this easy pico de gallo is really ridiculously delicious . . .
and you should just make it already! 😉
For me, having a food blog means that I hardly ever get to go back to an old recipe and make it again, because I’m constantly testing and trying new recipes.
Most of the time it’s great, because I never get sick of any one particular recipe, but it kinda stinks, too, because there are a lot of recipes that I haven’t made in FOREVER (like this these Healthy Turkey Tacos Trevor requests at least once a month 😉 )
This Easy Pico de Gallo, however, in an exception. Over the past few months, I’ve made it to go with my Slow Cooker Carne Asada, my Loaded Chicken Nachos, my Cauliflower Taco Skillet, and . . .
chips.
All the chips.
Whatever the dish, this Easy Pico de Gallo immediately takes the dish to the next level. It’s bright, it’s fresh, and helllooo it’s full of flavor.
Did I mention that it’s EASY too? 😉
What is in the best pico de gallo recipe?
- Roma tomatoes
- Yellow onion
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno
- Fresh lime juice
- Garlic
- Salt
Basically all you’re doing is chopping tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and garlic. Place that into a large bowl and stir in some lime juice and plenty of salt.
Serve immediately if you’re absolutely needing some fresh pico right then and now (I can’t blame you), but I would recommend, if you can, making this ahead of time so the pico de gallo has a chance to chill and really build its flavor.
Honestly, this is best the next day. 🙂
And it’s seriously so so good.
Bright fresh tomatoes with my favorite herb: cilantro + spicy jalapeno, my beloved garlic, onion, and a generous squeeze of tart lime.
This is perfect with any of the above recipes I’ve mentioned, but really, just grab some chips and go to town!
Is easy pico de gallo healthy for you?
Yes. Yes. YES!
Other than that tortilla chip vessel you’re probably going to use to eat this with. 😉
I’d say this recipe makes enough for two to enjoy with chips, but it’s easily doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled, for when you want more!
This Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe is classic, fresh, and don’t forget, ultra delicious!
– Jennifer
What are your favorite ways to use pico de gallo? Show me the yummy!
Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 whole roma tomatoes diced
- 1/4 large yellow onion diced
- 1/4 cup Cilantro minced
- 1/2 large jalapeno pepper minced, seeded if you want a more mild taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a large bowl.
- Mix and season with salt, to taste.
- Cover and place in fridge until ready to serve!
Related Yummy Recipes
Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Jacklyn
I keep store bought pico in my fridge because I like to eat I several times per week. I decided to make this pico recipe. And it was so good, that I can’t go back to store bought.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Aww thanks Jacklyn! 🙂
Dusty Klemko
After 18 years, my husband got out of prison last week and I made this as part of his first meal at home . He said this is, by far, the best pico de gallo he’s ever had — even better than what the esses in cell block 6 made! What a compliment! 5 stars!
Lori Fujimoto
I am absolutely In Love with this recipe! I made it on Christmas and it was a big hit with the family! So easy and it’s perfectly balanced. I just got done making some to nosh on with tortilla chips for movie watching! Thank you for a great recipe that I will use over and over! It’s just The Best!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Aww thank you so much Lori! 🙂
Jean
My best critic, the hubby, says it is the best he has ever had! Saved this recipe and it will be my go to whenever Mexican food is being served up!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Aww yay!! Thanks Jean! 🙂
Donna
Soooo good and easy!! Made it twice right in a row, shoulda made a big batch to begin with!! Hubby ate it without chips, right on his chicken and rice.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thanks so much Donna!!! So perfect for summer produce!
Donna
Soooo good AND easy!! Made it twice, shoulda made a big batch the first time!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Aww thank you 🙂
bill
I wonder what the equivalent amount would be if I used canned diced tomatoes. Shurfine makes a ton of different varieties that I use all the time. I also wonder about using tomatillos in addition to tomatoes.
You can buy pre-made pico at Walmart and at other stores and is excellent but it has a short shelf life.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
I’d say maybe 2 cans of drained diced tomatoes would do the trick? Start with 2 and you can always add more 🙂 I hope that helps!
Kathy
Just finished making this! Looks fantastic. Glad I don’t have any chips… plan is to put it in shrimp tacos for dinner!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Love it!! Thanks so much!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
oooo this looks perfect!! I just planted my tomato plants, so hopefully I’ll have about a bazillion to play around with in about a month and a half haha
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Omgsh… home grown tomatoes?! Jealous!!! Thanks Sarah 🙂
Adina
I always thought pico de gallo was chicken soup, I am feeling a bit ashamed now… 🙂 I have to make and eat this immediately just to wash away my shame a little bit.
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Haha!!! I love that. You’re gonna love it!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
You always have to love a classic! I love all the fresh flavors happening in here!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thank you so much Rachelle! 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I love salsa and homemade salsa is absolutely the best! You’ve nailed this pico de gallo to perfection!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Thanks Kathy!!
Liz @ Ready to Yumble
Definitely worthy of its own post! This is one of those recipes I could put on pretty much anything (except MAYBE dessert…maybe)….and it would be better! Love!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hahaha glad you’re with me, Liz! 🙂
Julie Evink
Ahhh the dreaded never make this again situation of a blogger! I definitely have my staples though like you with this Pico de Gallo! I could dive into it! With a chip of course 😉
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Hahaha yes, I’m sure you understand the pain! 😉 Thanks Julie! 🙂
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It
Omg where are my tortilla chips?! Absolutely LOVE Pico de Gallo, especially this recipe! 🙂
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Ha! I ate them all 😉 Thanks Marina! 🙂