One of my favourite snacks when I am craving something salty is tortilla chips with salsa. It is my favourite snack to munch on when watching a movie at home and also a great party food . I don’t always have the time or patience to make a fermented salsa (something I have recently started experimenting with), but I am always ready to throw together a batch of pico de gallo. And because it can be made fairly quickly, this fresh salsa recipe is the perfect last minute game day food for all you procrastinators!
To make pico de gallo you need tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, an onion, cilantro, a lime (or bottled lime juice, in a pinch), a clove of garlic and some basic seasoning.
I’m a 2 jalapeno kind of girl, but in theory you can bring the heat to game day and make your pico de gallo extra picante by adding more jalapeno peppers. What’s the secret to a good pico de gallo? The patience to properly de-seed the tomatoes (to avoid sogginess – this is easier to do if you use roma tomatoes which have a higher flesh-to-seed ratio), hitting the right amount of spiciness with the jalapenos, and freshly squeezed lime juice! I’ve added a pinch of cumin for an extra depth to the flavour, but you don’t have to.
This is one of a very small handful of ways I can eat raw garlic, which gives this recipe an extra kick as well as an immune boost!
Here’s the recipe – I’ve done my best to give actual measurements since no tomato is equal, so hopefully your pico de gallo turns out as amazingly as mine did!
More of a nachos and cheese kind of person? Whip up a quick batch of this vegan cheesy nacho sauce (add some diced jalapenos for an extra kick).
- 3 firm largish tomatoes (or 5 roma tomatoes) seeded and diced (about 2.5 cups diced)
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced (about ¼ cup diced; use ⅓ if you like it hot)
- 1 smallish white onion (about ¾ cup diced)
- 2 green onion stalks finely chopped
- 1 large clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- ½ cup finely chopped cilantro
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp lime juice (equivalent of 1 fresh lime, juiced)
- Drain all the liquid off the tomatoes (toss in a strainer to ensure you don't miss any).
- In a bowl add the salt and cumin to the drained tomatoes, and then add the diced onion, jalapeno pepper, green onions, garlic and, lastly, the cilantro.
- Mix until well combined.
- Add the lime juice and stir to distribute it.
- Serve with corn tortillas and guacamole or eat as a salad.
jayne says
Love a fresh salsa and tortilla chips! what a lovely fresh recipe
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
This sounds great! My husband’s favorite food is salsa–literally. Obviously he likes it with chips, but he’s been known to have it with crackers before when he gets really desperate! I’ll have to make this for him as a special surprise. 🙂
Sarah says
Hope he enjoys it! 🙂
Elizabeth says
Ooh I do love pico de gallo! I like adding mango to mine for an extra fruity burst. Gorgeous recipe!
Sarah says
that sounds yummy! will have to try it next time I make it!
Cristie | Little Big H says
Ahh, fresh salsa makes everything better. I could really do with a some of this right now, its so hot and this would be lovely and refreshing. Love it..
Sarah says
I wish it were hot here! I’m ready for winter to be over!
Amanda says
I could eat so many bowls of this! Looks so fresh and would be perfect for game day snacking. Love the addition of cumin!
Sarah says
Yes! me too! I love it (even just as a salad).
Christine says
I love pico de gallo. What a perfect recipe for the Superbowl today!
Sarah says
Thanks Christine – Happy game day!
Riva says
What a gorgeous pico! I have never made it with cumin and green onions, I will have to try this!
Sarah says
Thanks Riva! I love cumin – it’s one of those spices I just throw into everything 😉 Hope you enjoy it!
Paola says
Perfect recipe for sharing or a Friday night at home with the hubby!
Sarah says
Yes! It’s the perfect recipe for some guilt-free noshing in front of the tv.
Christina says
This looks delicious! I’m pinning to make this later. Thank you for sharing.
Sarah says
Thanks Christina! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Cameron says
I’ve been looking for a super easy pico recipe! This is great!
Heather says
Yum! I plan on making, and spicing it up!
Sarah says
I never say no to a bit of spice in my life!
Lindsay says
Love the recipe! Fresh is ALWAYS better. I have always wanted to make Pico de gallo!
Sarah says
It’s really easy Lindsay. It’ll be one of those things where you ask yourself ‘why haven’t I always been making this?’
Enjoy!
Ashleigh says
There’s nothing better than a good pico de gallo recipe to go with dinner! I can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend! Thank you for sharing!
Sarah says
Thanks Ashleigh! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Maggie Unzueta says
Pico de gallo. Such a simple salsa and so yummy!
Sarah says
Sometimes simple is all it takes! 😉
Ali says
Such a pretty recipe! I can’t wait until tomatoes and peppers are back in season. I love this kind of salsa over tamales or quesadillas – we also toss in some pico de gallo into scrambled eggs.
Mindy @ Just A One Girl Revolution says
Yum, this looks so good! I love pico, but I’ve never made it at home!
Sarah says
It is REALLY easy to make yourself!
Barb says
I’m totally making this to go with my grilled salmon tomorrow night! I have all the ingredients surprisingly. You make it look so delicious, i’m drooling!
Ali B says
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it!
Willow says
I haven’t made salsa in so long. This is making me want some! It looks so good! I think I will make some guacamole too, I have been craving some.
Sarah says
YUMM! Now you are making me want to make nachos Willow!
Sharon says
Yummmm! That pico looks so refreshing. The tomatoes at my grocery store have not me good lately but hopefully they’ll be good soon so I can make this!
Sarah says
I had to wait a couple of weeks to get good tomatoes too. Must just be that season.
This pico was definitely worth the wait though!
Aarika says
This pico de gallo recipe looks so fresh and delicious! I can’t wait to try it.