Description
Easy Pico de Gallo is a fresh and vibrant Mexican salsa made with ripe tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro. This quick no-cook recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for a healthy snack, appetizer, or topping for a variety of dishes. Optional additions like avocado or cucumber add extra creaminess or crunch, enhancing the flavor and texture. Serve immediately or let it rest to develop a deeper flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 medium white or red onion, finely diced
- 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (leave seeds for more heat)
- 1–2 cloves garlic, finely minced (optional)
- 1 lime, squeezed (about 2 tbsp juice)
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1 small avocado, finely diced
- 1 small cucumber, finely diced
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables: In a medium bowl, mix the diced tomatoes, finely diced onion, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro together to create the base of your pico de gallo.
- Add Lime and Salt: Pour in the fresh lime juice and sprinkle with salt. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly, ensuring the flavors start marrying.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the mixture and adjust the amount of lime juice or salt as preferred for a balanced, vibrant flavor.
- Incorporate Optional Ingredients: If using, gently fold in the finely diced avocado or cucumber to add creaminess or crunch. Taste again and add more lime juice or salt if needed to enhance the flavor.
- Serve or Rest: Serve immediately for a fresh taste, or let the pico de gallo rest at room temperature for 15–30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and brighten before serving.
Notes
- Leave jalapeño seeds in for extra heat or remove them to moderate spiciness.
- The recipe can be customized with either avocado or cucumber, but both can be added if desired.
- Resting the pico de gallo helps flavors develop but is optional depending on time constraints.
- Best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day for optimal freshness.
- Use ripe, firm tomatoes for the best texture and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Pico de Gallo, Mexican salsa, fresh salsa, tomato salsa, no-cook salsa, easy salsa recipe, cilantro salsa, healthy snacks, avocado salsa option
