Learn How to Make Homemade Pico de Gallo With This Easy Recipe
Learn How to Make Homemade Pico de Gallo With This Easy Recipe
Recipe and video by Justin Grimm
If you’re looking for a super easy and delicious recipe for pico de gallo, then you’ve landed in the right place! But first, let’s answer some FAQs about this fresh dish…
What’s in Pico de Gallo?
The ingredients in pico de gallo typically include diced tomatoes, onion and peppers tossed in salt, pepper and lime juice, then garnished with chopped cilantro. The ingredients are also fresh, so no canned diced tomatoes or bottled lime juice for this one!
Here’s an overview of the fresh ingredients you’ll want to grab for your homemade pico:
The Best Tomatoes for Pico: When it comes to the best tomatoes for pico de gallo, you’ll want to go for a less watery variety, like roma, plum and other tomatoes on a vine. You could even use cherry or grape tomatoes, if you prefer.
Best Onions for Pico: While classic pico usually calls for white onion, you can use whichever variety you prefer, from yellow to red.
Best Peppers for Pico: Classic pico usually calls for serrano peppers or even habanero peppers for more spice, but you can really use whichever kind you prefer or have on hand, from jalapenos to bell peppers.
Best Herbs for Pico: Of course, cilantro is a classic ingredient for pico de gallo but if you’re not a fan, then you can substitute for parsley, instead.
Pico de Gallo vs. Salsa: What’s the Difference?
Pico de gallo and salsa seem to have nearly identical ingredients, so what’s the difference? Pico de gallo is actually a type of salsa also known as “salsa fresca”, which translates to “fresh salsa”. So, while pico de gallo and salsa are technically the same, the difference is all about the texture and how the ingredients are processed.
Salsas vary in texture, from chunky to pureed, and may include cooked ingredients (like corn and roasted tomatoes), while pico de gallo is always made of fresh ingredients. Salsas also tend to contain more liquid than pico de gallo.
Now that you’ve gotten a little rundown on what goes into pico, round up your ingredients, get that cutting board ready, grab that F.N. Sharp Chef’s Knife or Santoku Knife and let’s make this easy homemade recipe!
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About the Recipe Creator
Justin Grimm is a culinary consultant, recipe developer and brand ambassador for F.N. Sharp. He found his passion for food and cooking as a child, when he’d often find himself mesmerized by the swift knife skills of Martin Yan and drawn to Julia Child’s love for food.
Inspired by his grandfather’s garden, Justin changed his eating habits from weeknight TV dinners to cooking his own meals using fresh ingredients. This helped launch his more than 20-year career in the food industry, where he’s enjoyed working with diverse menus while learning new cuisines and techniques. He finds the most passion in recipe development, as he fully immerses himself in the research behind each creation, from developing the recipes to cooking and plating.
When you come across one of Justin's recipes, you really are in for a treat! Follow his handle @platefulofpassion on Instagram, Facebookand TikTok so you don’t miss out!
The knife arrived quickly and in perfect condition. Not only is the knife well balance and very sharp, it is also beautiful. I'll be getting all my knives at F.N. Sharp in the future!