Pico de Gallo

This pico de gallo recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free.  It’s a raw Mexican condiment that goes great on so many dishes.  It adds a nice freshness and a boost of flavor to tacos, taquitos, and so many other recipes.  

It’s made with a few simple ingredients: tomatoes, white onion, chili, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt.  It’s ready as soon as you combine all of the ingredients, but I think it tastes even better after resting for about an hour for all of the flavors to blend together.   I wouldn’t make it too far in advance, because the tomatoes will soften.  

Tips for Making Pico de Gallo

• If serving immediately, macerate the onions and jalapeños, which means to soften.  To macerate you’ll place the finely diced onions and jalapeños in a bowl and add the lime juice to the top.  They don’t have to be completely submerged, just let them sit while you prep the rest of the ingredients.  The acid will cut through the harshness of the raw onion.  This part isn’t as necessary if it’s not being served immediately.  If you’re chilling your pico beforehand, that will break down the onions in the fridge.
• To make it spicier leave in the seeds in the jalapeño.
• The tomatoes will release a lot of liquid so a slotted spoon works great for serving.  I don’t pour off the liquid, if you taste it you’ll see there’s a lot of flavor in there.  
• Chop the tomatoes small, and finely chop the onion for a more cohesive texture.
• The stems of fresh cilantro have a lot of flavor, finely dice them so you don’t get big stem pieces and to not waste them.

Substitutions

• Roma tomatoes don’t have as much water as other tomatoes but use what looks good when purchasing your ingredients.  Good quality ingredients are best.  If you do substitute with a juicier tomato, you can deseed the tomatoes to cut down on the liquid in the pico de gallo.
• Can’t find jalapeños, try a Serrano.  Keep in mind that a Serrano is hotter than a jalapeño.
• Use lemon juice if you can’t find a lime.

How to Store Leftovers?

I think it’s best consumed the day it’s made, but leftovers can be stored for a couple of days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

• Walnut Lentil Taco Meat
• Refried Bean Taquitos
• Nachos
• Use it for tortilla chips
• Taco Bowl
• Burrito Bowl

I hope you enjoy this easy naturally vegan Pico de Gallo recipe!

Originally published on April 29, 2020, updated on July 5th, 2021.

Pico de Gallo

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• Author: Allie
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 3 cups 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

This pico de gallo recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free.  It adds a nice freshness and a boost of flavor to tacos, taquitos, and so many other dishes.  

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ of a large white onion, diced (about ½ cup diced)
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
• 1 lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 5 Roma tomatoes, diced (about a 1 lb (453 g))
• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. If serving immediately, place the diced onion and diced jalapeño in a bowl, then add the lime juice and let it sit while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
2. Add the tomatoes, cilantro, salt, and season with pepper to taste.
3. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for a couple of days

Notes

Adjust the recipe to fit your taste preference.  Prefer more onion or cilantro, add it in there!

½ cup of diced onion is about 1 medium onion or ½ of a large onion.  

Chop the tomatoes small, and finely chop the onion for a more cohesive texture.

The tomatoes will release a lot of liquid so a slotted spoon works great for serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snack
• Method: chop
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: fresh pico de gallo, vegan Pico de Gallo