Fresh pico de gallo: tomato, onion and cilantro

Fresh pico de gallo brings diced tomato, onion and cilantro together in a simple topping. This home version starts without chile so that heat can be considered separately. Cut and season the ingredients close to serving, and keep the amount manageable for the meal.

Ingredients

• 2 medium tomatoes, suitable for eating and properly prepared.
• 1/4 onion.
• 1 tablespoon prepared cilantro.
• A little lime juice and salt to taste.

Use clean hands, utensils and a stable cutting surface. Lime juice is a seasoning in this recipe; it does not replace washing or otherwise preparing the produce appropriately.

Cut, combine and adjust

Dice the tomatoes into pieces small enough to sit comfortably on a tortilla. Chop the onion more finely so that a large piece does not dominate each bite. Place both in a clean bowl and fold in the cilantro.

Add a little lime juice and salt. Mix, taste a suitable small portion, and decide whether it needs another adjustment. The size and moisture of the tomatoes affect the mixture, so the same amount of seasoning will not suit every batch.

If the topping is very wet, use a slotted serving spoon when adding it to tacos. Do not keep adding dry ingredients solely to imitate the appearance of a photograph.

Give it a role at the table

Serve the pico de gallo beside bean tacos, cheese quesadillas or cooked vegetables. A separate bowl lets people choose their own amount. Provide a dedicated spoon so the topping does not collect ingredients from another dish.

If you choose to add chile or replace the cilantro, describe that as a variation. This recipe does not establish a storage life, canning method or transport procedure. Use suitable food-handling guidance when the preparation needs to be kept beyond the immediate meal.

Related reading

• Cheese quesadillas at home: filling and skillet method
• Corn and tomato side dish for a taco-night table

Editorial home-cooking proposal; not kitchen-tested by our team. Cover illustration generated with AI.