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    Home » Recipes » Tacos

    Perfectly Simple Pico de Gallo

    Published: Sep 3, 2019 · Modified: Mar 13, 2022 · by Tracy Halasz · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Pico De Gallo (aka Pico) is an easy-to-make, popular, Mexican condiment that makes everything taste better. Amazing with a big bowl of chips, on tacos or served sprinkled over nachos like these incredible vegan nachos with sausage and queso!

    Bowlful of pico de gallo topped with a slice of jalapeno and surrounded by a pile of chips.

    Why We Love Pico de Gallo

    • easy to make
    • healthy
    • better than store bought
    • vegan, vegetarian, plant based, oil free, gluten free, nut free
    • makes everything 1000 times better

    Pico is delicious on so many dishes. On Friday nights, we love digging into a big bowl of taco chips, pico, TexMex Cashew Cream, and Guacamole. Pico is a must add to crispy vegan fish tacos and elevates any breakfast scramble, burritos, loaded nachos, quesadillas, and pizzas.

    Ingredients for Pico de Gallo

    Since Pico de Gallo has only a few basic ingredients, look for the best quality ingredients you can find. You'll need ripe tomatoes, white onions, jalapeno peppers, fresh cilantro, juicy lime, and coarse salt.

    Tomatoes: Since tomatoes are front and center for pico flavour, it's imperative to select the reddest, ripest, most flavourful tomatoes available.

    Freshly picked tomatoes on the vine.

    Do you deseed the tomatoes in your pico? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

    Plum tomatoes (like Roma) have a higher solid to seeds ratio and lower moisture content than regular tomatoes making them a good choice for pico. As long as the tomatoes are top quality, and perfectly ripe, any variety will work; but if they are super juicy, I remove most of the seeds and pulp to manage an over abundance of liquid.

    Onions: I used to use red onions for my pico. I love red onions for their flavour and nutrition profile. BUT, after a pico-eating trip to Mexico, I switched to white onions. The sharpness and pungency of white onions is a perfect compliment to the ripe tomatoes in pico.

    Everything Else: chopped fresh cilantro, jalapeno chiles (to taste), juicy limes, coarse ground salt, and chipotle Tabasco (optional).

    Let It Rest: Once you've sliced and diced all the veggies and herbs and mixed them together, let it sit out on the counter where the flavours will mingle and be enhanced. Just before serving, taste the pico and adjust the seasonings to suit your personal preference.

    Vegan Dinner Ideas

    If you like pico, you're going to love these dinners made with fresh tomatoes too:

    • Tender-Crispy Fish Tacos (vegan)
    • Spicy Sweet Tofu Pineapple Bowl
    • Loaded Mushroom Tacos
    • Healthy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to see it!
    Please leave a star rating and comment at the bottom of the page.
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    Bowlful of pico de gallo on a tray of taco chips and a glass of beer.

    Perfectly Simple Pico de Gallo Recipe

    This simple pico made with fresh whole foods like tomatoes, onions, and cilantro is easy to make. Pile it on top of nachos, tacos, Buddha bowls, and breakfast burritos to elevate your favourites. It's 100% plant based, oil free, gluten free and 1000% delicious.
    Author : Tracy Halasz
    Servings:4 servings

    Rate this recipe!

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins

    INGREDIENTS

    • 4-5 medium plum tomatoes (like Roma), medium dice
    • ½ medium white onion, diced
    • 1-2 juicy limes, juiced
    • ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
    • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
    • 1-2 pinches coarse salt, to taste
    • 1 splash Chipotle Tabasco

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • This is so simple.
      Slice the tomatoes in half and remove seeds and pulp if desired.
    • Cut the tomatoes into about ½" pieces (medium dice). Place the tomatoes into a medium-sized bowl.
    • Chop the onions and cilantro, and mince the jalapeno. Add to the tomatoes.
    • Squeeze the juice of one lime onto the tomatoes (if it's a really juicy lime, that might be enough, but sometimes the limes are small or a bit dry so add more to taste).
    • Season with coarse ground salt to taste. Taste and adjust lime and salt as desired.
    • Add a splash of Chipotle Tabasco sauce - this is optional but delicious.
    • Let the pico sit at room temperature for 20 - 30 minutes for flavour development.
    • Stir, taste, and adjust the seasonings once again. Enjoy!

    NOTES

    Make the pico first and let it sit while you make the rest of your dinner to give the flavours a chance to marry.
    Pico is best served fresh although it does keep in the fridge for a day or maybe two without too much loss of flavour and texture. I usually throw leftover pico in soup, chilli or stew. 

    This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

    Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ceeceecooks or tag #ceeceecooks

    More Vegan Taco Ideas

    • Homemade Taco Seasoning (vegan + gf)
    • Spicy Mayo for Sushi (vegan)
    • Easy Vegan Tzatziki (3 ways!)
    • Easy Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Darren

      October 28, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      I love Pico, and this was delicious and very easy to make. I'll be having this again for sure!

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        October 28, 2020 at 9:13 pm

        Thank you! It is so easy and so fresh. Thank you for the comment.

        Reply

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    Hi, I’m Tracy, welcome! I’ve been creating and cooking vegetarian/vegan food for decades, and love helping others on their journey to eat more plants. Here you’ll find super flavorful vegan recipes you and your family will love – vegan or not!

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