Pico De Gallo (Salsa Fresca)

Pico de gallo is a fresh, zesty salsa made with chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and salt. It’s perfect for tacos, burritos, and chips.

Pico de gallo generally uses the milder jalapeño pepper, so you shouldn’t have to worry about that for yourself. The main ingredients for my easy Pico de Gallo are tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. You can have it with tortilla chips, added to tacos, over nachos with guacamole, topped on your favorite quesadillas, inside burritos, or on burgers. There’s really no limit, except maybe in desserts. If you try that though, let me know how it works out.

What Is The Difference Between Salsa And Pico De Gallo?

Pico de gallo and typical salsa are both delicious Mexican condiments, but they are prepared differently. Pico de gallo is a fresh, uncooked salsa that is made with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapenos. It’s a bright, vibrant, and flavorful mix that is usually served as a topping or dip. Typical salsa, on the other hand, is cooked and usually has a smoother texture. It’s made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, chili peppers, and spices, and is often blended together in a food processor.

What Makes Salsa Spicy?

Salsa is spicy because of the peppers that are used to make it. Peppers get their spiciness from a compound called capsaicin; the higher the concentration of capsaicin, the spicier the pepper. Some of the hottest peppers are the habanero and the carolina reaper, which can be 100 times hotter than a jalapeño. When you eat something spicy, the capsaicin triggers a reaction in your nervous system. This reaction causes your body to release endorphins, which create a pleasurable sensation and can even make you feel a bit of a “high”. So, the next time you’re enjoying a spicy salsa, remember that it’s the capsaicin that’s giving you that spicy kick!

Tools For The Job

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• A serrated knife is best for cutting tomatoes, they tear right through the skin.
• A sharp chef’s knife is better for cutting onions and other vegetables.
• You could also use a v-slicer or mandoline to chop them.
• Or a food processor to throw everything in and pulse-blend.

How To Make Pico De Gallo

Pico De Gallo Recipe (Salsa Fresca)

Makes approx. 3 cups

Ingredients

• 4 plum tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1-2 jalapeños, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Juice of 1 lime

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Combine all ingredients in a bowl, then allow it to sit for half an hour to allow the flavors time to combine. Serve with tortilla chips, over nachos, on tacos, or with quesadillas or burritos. Enjoy!