By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 17, 2025
Pico de Gallo is one of my go-to dips. It’s fresh, easy, and loaded with flavor! Also called Salsa Fresca, this recipe is packed with fresh tomatoes, onion, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and chili peppers. I love serving it with chips, but it’s also great over grilled chicken or any of my favorite Mexican dishes.
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5-Star Review
“Yummy! The whole family loved it, even the ‘picky’ eaters!” -Kimberly
Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe
This homemade pico de gallo recipe (aka salsa fresca) is one of our go-to healthy dips. It’s great for appetizers, afternoon snacks, or to serve alongside your favorite Mexican dishes at dinner.
Though it’s also called salsa, pico de gallo is a little different from most of the salsa you might think of. The main difference is the consistency. Salsas (aka sauces) are usually more liquid, with varying degrees of chunkiness. While pico de gallo is mainly chunks of ingredients, mostly dry, like a garnish or salad. We removed as much of the liquid as possible.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best Pico de Gallo. In the off-season, use Roma or cherry tomatoes.
- Feel free to leave out or substitute any ingredients you don’t like or don’t have—omit the cilantro, use a different type of chili pepper, or make a fruitier version instead (add mango or pineapple!).
- If your raw onions are a bit strong, soak them in ice water for about 10 minutes before adding them.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ¾ pound ripe tomatoes diced (about 1½ cups)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ cup white onion diced
- ▢ 1 serrano pepper or jalapeño pepper, minced (for less heat, remove the seeds and membranes)
- ▢ ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- ▢ 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- Sprinkle salt over the diced tomatoes and gently toss. Transfer the tomato/salt mixture to a medium-sized fine-mesh strainer set over a slightly larger bowl. Allow tomato juice to drain for 30 minutes. Discard liquid. ¾ pound ripe tomatoes, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium bowl, combine the drained tomatoes, onion, pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. Mix gently and season to taste with salt and lime juice. ¼ cup white onion, 1 serrano pepper, ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Equipment
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Pico De Gallo Step by Step
Prepare the tomatoes: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt over 3/4 pound diced tomatoes and gently toss. Transfer the tomato/salt mixture to a medium-sized fine-mesh strainer set over a slightly larger bowl. Allow tomato juice to drain for 30 minutes. Discard liquid.
Combine tomatoes with the remaining ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the drained tomatoes, 1/4 cup onion, 1 serrano pepper, 1/3 cup cilantro, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Mix gently and season to taste with salt ore more lime juice.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the pico de gallo with chips or your favorite Mexican recipes and enjoy.
Variations on Salsa Fresca
There are so many ways to change up this pico de gallo once you get a hang of the basics. Try one of these fan favorites:
- Mango Pico de Gallo: Add diced fresh mango.
- Pineapple Pico de Gallo: Add diced fresh pineapple (canned also works!)
- Corn Pico de Gallo: Add fresh or canned corn kernels (drain if canned).
- Pico de Gallo with Avocado: Add diced fresh avocado.
- Cabbage Pico de Gallo: Add chopped green cabbage.
How to Store
This salsa fresca recipe is best eaten fresh, but it can be kept in the fridge to chill before serving. Store leftover pico de gallo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Toss gently before serving cold. I do not recommend freezing.
Serving Suggestions
This is one of my favorite appetizers to make on a summer night, margarita in hand, sitting in a deck chair under the sunshine. Just add some salty, crispy tortilla chips and you’re ready to chow down! If you want something non-alcoholic instead, this pineapple agua fresca is delicious!
More Salsa Recipes We Love
Mango Salsa
Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe
Italian Salsa (Only 5 Ingredients)
Avocado Corn Salsa
Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)
Equipment
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
- ¾ pound ripe tomatoes diced (about 1½ cups)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup white onion diced
- 1 serrano pepper or jalapeño pepper, minced (for less heat, remove the seeds and membranes)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- Sprinkle salt over the diced tomatoes and gently toss. Transfer the tomato/salt mixture to a medium-sized fine-mesh strainer set over a slightly larger bowl. Allow tomato juice to drain for 30 minutes. Discard liquid. ¾ pound ripe tomatoes, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium bowl, combine the drained tomatoes, onion, pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. Mix gently and season to taste with salt and lime juice. ¼ cup white onion, 1 serrano pepper, ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
