How Long Does Pico De Gallo Last + Easy Fresh Recipe

Pico de Gallo, also known as salsa fresca, salsa cruda, or rooster’s beak, is a fresh and vibrant condiment commonly found at almost any Mexican Restaurant.

I will go over the question, “How Long Does Pico De Gallo Last?” plus give you my easy fresh recipe to make your own at home!

The best pico de gallo is a type of salsa that combines the freshest ingredients, including tomatoes, raw onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and minced fresh jalapeño.

This is one of the easiest recipes that creates a symphony of fresh flavor that’s rivals any grocery store chunky salsa.

Whether you’re serving it with tortilla chips, as a topping for burrito bowls, or alongside your favorite Mexican dishes, pico de gallo is a staple in Mexican cuisine. 

I will go over the shelf life of pico de gallo when stored in the fridge, as well as go over my tips, substitutions and frequently asked questions about this full recipe.

What you will need to make this simple recipe for Mild Pico De Gallo

Starting out with a mild base is the perfect way to start out your mexican salsa. This way each person can increase the heat of their serving as they want with additional jalepeno peppers.

Here are the handful of ingredients you will need to make this fresh salsa recipe.

• Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are the star of pico de gallo. Roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or ripe red tomatoes are commonly used to provide that juicy, vibrant base for the salsa.The most important part is that you choose ripe tomatoes at their peak to reduce graininess and also to increase the permeability of the tomatoes to blend well with the other ingredients.

• Fresh Onion: Fresh onion adds a mild, sweet, and colorful crunch to pico de gallo. You cannot skip this key ingredient in this easy recipe.  You can go with your favorite type of onion such as a red onion, white onion, yellow onion or pearl onion.

• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is an ingredient that either you love intensely or hate intensely. Some people say it tastes like soap or bleach to them. It is a small percentage of people who say this but it exists. The burst of herbal freshness from the fragrant leaves of the cilantro is a required staple in authentic pico de gallo. So if you are not a cilantro fan, maybe go with a traditional salsa recipe instead.

• Lime Juice: The acidity of fresh lime juice not only provides a zesty tang but also helps preserve the salsa and keep it from turning brown. The natural citric acid found in lime juice also helps to prevent the fresh vegetables from spoiling as fast. You can opt for squeezing your own limes or going with a bottled lime juice. Either way it will still turn out just right.

• Minced Fresh Jalapeño: Jalapeño peppers are the source of pico de gallo’s spiciness that you can adjust to your preferred level of heat. In my recipe I use half of one jalepeno minced fine into small pieces. The result was a very mild flavor. You can easily use a full jalepeno and it still not be too hot. Always remember to wear gloves when chopping up fresh jalepeno, or at the least, washing your hands very well afterwards. Be warned that if you have any small cuts or chapped hands and do not wear gloves, it will burn your skin. I purchased a small box of food handlers disposabe gloves to use for this purpose. I also use these gloves to mix up meatloaf or meatball meat mixture, cutting raw meats, or when I need to handle something sticky. 

• Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the pico de gallo a subtle kick and depth of flavor that pairs well with the onion. You can crush some fresh garlic cloves or go with some pre-diced garlic from a jar. You could also use garlic paste as you wish.

• Salt and Pepper: As with all recipes, making sure you use some salt and pepper really gives the best flavor to the blending of the raw ingredients. The finished product would be missing something if you forget to add the salt and pepper.

How long does leftover pico de gallo last in the fridge?

One of the great things about pico de gallo is its freshness, but this also means it has a limited shelf life. 

Pico de gallo can be stored in an airtight container like a sealed jar or other sealed container and refrigerated up to 3-5 days. 

Since the freshest ingredients are used in making pico de gallo, as time passes, they start to break down.

This ultimately affects the texture and flavor of the salsa. 

While it’s still technically safe to eat pico de gallo beyond this time frame since you will add the citrus juice, its refreshing taste will not be there and it will most likely be mushy. 

Try to consume it within the first few days after making it fresh.

If you notice any signs of spoilage on old pico de gallo, such as off smells or visible mold, it’s best to discard it. 

Always serve the pico that you plan to eat into its own container or right to the plate and resist dipping into the main bowl.

Make sure to always use clean utensils when serving to avoid introducing contaminants.

Now that you know how long pico de gallo lasts in the fridge, let’s dive into making your own homemade pico de gallo recipe. 

Here is the perfect recipe of simple ingredients for easy homemade pico de gallo

5 ripe red tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup white onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2-1 jalapeño peppers, minced (adjust to your preferred spiciness 1/2 is very mild and 2 is hot)

2 cloves of garlic, minced (or 2 tsp pre-minced garlic)

2 1/2 Tbsp lime juice (fresh juiced or bottled)

Salt and pepper to taste

Start by preparing the ingredients. 

This is the majority of this recipe, dicing all of the fresh produce up then putting it together to marinate.

First you will dice the tomatoes fine into small bits.

Next finely chop the red onion, cilantro, and mince the jalapeño peppers and garlic.

The easy way to chop cilantro is to roll the bunch up, chop off the stems, and roll the remaining leaves and chop well.

In a large bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, cilantro, minced jalapeño peppers, and garlic.

I stir with a large spoon folding all of the ingredients together.

Then once they are all mixed, pour the lime juice over it all.

The citrus juice addition helps to preserve the uncooked salsa and add a zesty kick common in Mexican Food.

Once everything is well mixed then season your pico de gallo with salt and pepper to taste. 

Start with a pinch of each and adjust as needed. 

The salt will enhance the flavors and help them blend while the pepper will add a subtle kick.

Taste your homemade pico de gallo and adjust the seasonings if necessary. 

You can add more lime juice, salt, or pepper to suit your preferences.

If it does not seem spicy enough, add in additional minced jalapeno peppers.

Allow the pico de gallo to sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before serving. 

This resting period allows the flavors to meld together for the best taste.

Serve your fresh pico de gallo as a topping for fish tacos, burrito bowls, or alongside tortilla chips.

This homemade pico de gallo recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a perfect appetizer for gatherings, game day, or Cinco de Mayo celebrations. 

The combination of fresh, juicy tomatoes, crisp red onion, fragrant cilantro, and a hint of jalapeño heat creates a salsa that’s hard to resist.

Tips, Substitutions and FAQs

• The type of tomato you choose to use will determine if your pico de gallo has a thicker or thinner consistency. A good pico de gallo recipe will have a little bit of tomato juice in it but not too much. Wether you go with plum tomatoes, or any of your favorite ripe red tomatoes, use a slotted spoon when serving up the pico so you reduce the juiciness.

• Consider other types of peppers to add to this homemade salsa recipe! Chili peppers, poblano peppers, or serrano peppers are great ones to choose. 

• You can use a food processor to do all of the chopping for you. Keep in mind that if you process it too much it will turn into a traditional red salsa where the chunkiness is not present. It will become more of a salsa mexicana rather than a pico de gallo. They have similar ingredients, but are use different preparation methods and the main difference is that one has a saucy texture versus a chunky texture.

• Make this a salsa verde when you use tomatillos, a green tomato, instead of the red tomatoes called for.

• A great way to bump up the flavor of your pico de gallo would be to add in some black beans next time. 

Can this healthy salsa be frozen? I would recommend against freezing the pico de gallo. When you freeze tomatoes, they turn into mush as the meat of the tomato separates from the water naturally found in it. It is best to make the pico de gallo fresh when you want to eat it.

Do you have any tips on making it easier to make without having to chop up everything at once? You can use pre-diced garlic cloves that you can find in jars in the produce section. You can also use bottled lime juice to reduce the need to juice a fresh lime. There are also pre-chopped jalapeños you can purchase so you can avoid possibly burning your hands with fresh jalapeños.

Is there an alternative herb I can use instead of cilantro if I have an aversion to cilantro? Other herbs commonly used in spicy food, or Mexican food is oregano and cumin. You can find fresh oregano in the produce section of the grocery store. It will be paired well with a pinch of cumin if you have it. 

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Making your own homemade Pico de Gallo is easy and satisfying using simple, fresh ingredients. The best way to enjoy this popular Mexican condiment of classic Pico de Gallo is to follow my simple recipe.

You can customize the heat and flavors to your liking and share this delicious salsa with friends and family at your next gathering. Say goodbye to store-bought Pico de Gallo that may or may not be fresh and enjoy the authentic, homemade version that’s sure to become your favorite way to enjoy this classic Mexican condiment.

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