A Healthier Cinco de Mayo
Hailing from Mexico, pico de gallo is a flavorful uncooked sauce that literally translates to “rooster’s beak”—which may be a reference to its vibrant, rooster-like colors, or how the diced salsa resembles bird food. Its green, white and red colors also remind people of the Mexican flag, hence its other name “Flag Salsa”.
In any case, pico de gallo definitely earned the title “Lazy Salsa” because it’s so quick and easy to make (it takes only 10 minutes)! Chunkier than traditional salsa, the sauce is a mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peppers, salt, garlic and lime juice.
With so many vegetables as its ingredients, it’s not hard to believe pico de gallo is also full of health benefits. Armed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the onions and garlic in the sauce may prevent the hardening of your arteries, fight bacteria and protect against heart disease. Tomatoes may help prevent prostate, urinary, intestinal and other cancers. Double dipping doesn’t hurt with this salsa because it’s antioxidant-rich, low-calorie and low-fat—which makes it a great dip for fresh veggies or tortilla chips and also a refreshing addition to many other dishes! Try using it on tacos, inside quesadillas, atop steamed fish, in salads and with avocados.
Ingredients:
- 7 tomatoes, diced (or 2 ½ pound container of pre-diced tomatoes)
- 1 ½ cups, diced onion
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro – or use 1 bag (8 oz.) of frozen cilantro
- ½ cup diced green pepper
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened lime juice
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup canola oil
Instructions:
1) Place all ingredients except vinegar and oil in a large mixing bowl. Pour in vinegar and oil and gently mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate below 40° F for at least 1 hour before serving.
Yield: 8 cups
You can keep leftover pico de gallo for a week if you store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator, though tomatoes may get a little mushy and cilantro will wilt. Try making this awesome sauce today!
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FAQs
Pico de gallo (a.k.a. salsa fresca) is a type of fresh salsa found in Mexican cuisine. Traditional ingredients include tomatoes, onions, serrano or jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and sometimes lime juice. Other spices and seasonings are often used.
What are the ingredients in traditional pico de gallo? ›
Pico de gallo (a.k.a. salsa fresca) is a type of fresh salsa found in Mexican cuisine. Traditional ingredients include tomatoes, onions, serrano or jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and sometimes lime juice. Other spices and seasonings are often used.
Is pico de gallo inflammatory? ›
In conclusion, Pico de Gallo is a delicious and healthy condiment that is loaded with nutrients and has numerous health benefits. It can help with weight management, lower cholesterol levels, boost immunity, improve digestion, promote hydration, and provide anti-inflammatory properties.
How many days is homemade pico de gallo good for? ›
For the best flavor, let the mixture marinate for 15 minutes or several hours in the refrigerator. Serve as a dip, or with a slotted spoon or large serving fork to avoid transferring too much watery tomato juice with your pico. Pico de gallo keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.
Why does my pico de gallo taste bland? ›
If your pico de gallo tastes bland, it might not be because of anything you did in the kitchen. Ensure you are using fresh, top-quality ingredients.
What is pico de gallo seasoning made of? ›
Stir tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, garlic, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Enjoy!
What makes pico de gallo different from salsa? ›
Pico de gallo has far less liquid than salsa. Though salsa can be made chunky, the tomatoes are often blended with the other ingredients, making it runnier than pico de gallo. Pico de gallo is always made fresh. While pico de gallo is technically a type of salsa, it is usually made with fresh ingredients.
Is it okay to eat pico de gallo every day? ›
Pico de gallo is extremely low in calories and fat. Adding this condiment to your dietary eating plan is a great way to get a variety of nutrients. However, you may want to limit your intake if you're watching your sodium.
Does pico de gallo raise blood sugar? ›
Pico de gallo, also known as fresh salsa, is another appetizer suitable for diabetics dining at a Mexican restaurant.
Is pico or salsa healthier? ›
Pico de gallo is generally considered healthier since it isn't cooked so the raw nutrients in the sauce aren't altered. However, salsa has a lot of the same nutrition, just partially processed.
Use the tomato flesh, not the seeds and juices.
You don't want your pico to be too watery, so make sure to remove the seeds from the tomatoes as you dice them. I like to use tomatoes on the vine in my pico.
What does "pico de gallo" mean literally? ›
What is Pico de Gallo? Translated in Spanish, pico de gallo literally means “beak of rooster.” Some believe this is because it was originally eaten by pinching between the thumb and finger, making the shape of a rooster's beak. Pico de gallo, however, has nothing to do with roosters, or birds in general.
Can you eat pico de gallo by itself? ›
Pico de gallo is a great pre-dinner nibble, but it's good for more than just a dip for tortilla chips. I think it deserves a spot right on the dinner plate, especially this time of year when the local tomatoes are bursting with flavor, and the sunny patio draws me away from the kitchen more often.
Why does my Pico taste bitter? ›
Test Kitchen Tip: When it comes to cilantro, you either love it or you hate it. If you're in the it-tastes-like-soap camp, decrease or cut the cilantro so it's to your taste. We wouldn't recommend substituting in parsley, though. It could make your pico bitter and will change the overall taste.
Can you freeze pico de gallo? ›
You can choose to freeze the pico de gallo in a sealed container or bag, ideally a freezer safe one, and it should last you for about 3 months. Remember that the consistency of the fresh pico de gallo may be different from that of the frozen version.
What are the ingredients in Park Street deli pico de gallo? ›
INGREDIENTS: roma tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, red onions, lime juice, cilantro.
- Low Calorie.
- 100 Calories or Less.
- Ketogenic Diet.
- Sodium Free.
- Very Low Sodium.
- Low Sodium.
- Low Calorie - FDA Shelf Tag.
- No Added Sugars.
Translated in Spanish, pico de gallo literally means “beak of rooster.” Some believe this is because it was originally eaten by pinching between the thumb and finger, making the shape of a rooster's beak. Pico de gallo, however, has nothing to do with roosters, or birds in general.
Does pico de gallo contain garlic? ›
I love Pico de Gallo. It is similar to salsa, but in a drier, more relish-like form. Tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime are the building blocks and most folks add garlic, too.
What is Gallo made of? ›
Also called salsa fresca or salsa cruda, pico de gallo is a fresh Mexican salsa made of finely chopped ripe tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime. In English, its name literally means “rooster's beak,” though there's no definitive reason why we call it that.
