This Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe is easy to make with fresh onions, juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers and more! This irresistible fresh pico de gallo recipe makes a healthy and flavorful condiment or dip and is a must for your next taco night or game day night! Plus, it’s vegan, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and Whole30!
Easy Homemade Tomato Salsa Recipe
Fresh Tomato Salsa or pico de gallo, is a classic Mexican condiment that you’ve probably tried before at restaurants. It’s often used as a dip for quesadillas, a salad mix-in or a nacho topping, to name a few. Diced veggies and fresh lime juice give this condiment its delicious and versatile flavor profile – it goes great with pretty much any savory dish under the sun!
This South American-inspired staple is super easy to throw together. It takes little time, minimal effort, no cooking and limited clean-up, with maximum satisfaction guaranteed! Pico de gallo is about to become a regular recipe in your weekly menu. And you can change it up according to your mood! Best of all, this version is naturally vegan, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and Whole30 compliant!
What Does Pico de Gallo Mean?
The term pico de gallo directly translates to “beak of rooster,” and nobody is quite sure why. Rumor has it that pico de gallo got its name because it was once eaten by itself, pinched between a thumb and pointer finger, which resembles a rooster’s beak. Who knows! When in doubt, you can always refer to pico de gallo as salsa fresca, which means “cool sauce” or “fresh sauce.”
Recipe Ingredients
Let’s get into the wholesome ingredients that make up this crave-worthy condiment. Here’s what you’ll need:
- White Onion: Finely chopped.
- Serrano Pepper: Or jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed. The pepper should also be finely chopped.
- Roma Tomatoes: De-seeded and diced.
- Fresh Cilantro: Finely chopped.
- Fresh Lime Juice: You’ll need the juice of 1 large lime, or about 3 tablespoons.
- Fine Sea Salt: To taste.
How to Make Tomato Salsa
Once your veggies and cilantro are all diced up, making pico de gallo is just a matter of mixing, chilling and enjoying!
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium serving bowl, combine the onion, jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Stir to combine. Taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed.
- Chill: Place the salsa in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or a few hours for the best results.
- Enjoy! Serve with sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, grain-free tortilla chips or plantain chips.
Tips for Success
Even though making fresh tomato salsa is pretty much effortless, there are still a few important things to keep in mind. Here are some helpful tips and tricks for making the best tomato salsa recipe!
- Best Tomatoes to use for Homemade Salsa: We love using our fresh and juicy garden tomatoes during the summer but Roma tomatoes or any vine-ripened tomatoes will be delicious.
- Season to Taste: Every good chef is the first to try their creations, am I right? You should do so before chilling the salsa so you can make any adjustments desired before it’s complete.
- Chill For Longer: Unless you’re in a hurry, I recommend chilling your salsa for a few hours rather than just 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to intensify, giving you the most bang for your buck!
- Switch it Up: Want to add more ingredients to this classic pico? Go ahead! Diced avocados, minced garlic, black pepper and coriander are all popular choices.
Ways to Use Your Tomato Salsa
Fresh tomato salsa is served with all sorts of Mexican dishes. Here are some yummy examples!
- In a Taco or Burrito
- On Top of Nachos
- Mixed with Guacamole
- Served with a Taco Bowl
- With Carne Asada
- In a Quesadilla
- On Top of Mexican Rice
- Spooned Over Fish or Meat
How to Store Extras
Leftover tomato salsa should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, but as it sits, it will become less acidic. If it’s been a day or two, stir in a little extra lime juice before serving.
More easy salsa recipes you will love:
This Tomato Salsa Recipe is easy to make with fresh onions, juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers and more! This irresistible fresh pico de gallo recipe makes a healthy and flavorful condiment or dip and is a must for your next taco night! Plus, it's vegan, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and Whole30!
- 2/3 cup white onion finely chopped
- 1 medium serrano pepper or jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped
- 4 ripe Roma tomatoes de-seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 lime lime juice about 3 tablespoons
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt or to taste
In a medium serving bowl, combine the onion, jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Stir to combine. Taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed.
Chill for at least 15 minutes or a few hours (for best results) in the refrigerator.
Serve with sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, and grain-free tortilla chips or plantain chips.
How to Store Leftovers:
Leftover tomato salsa should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, but as it sits, it will become less acidic. If it's been a day or two, stir in a little extra lime juice before serving.
Leave a Comment