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5.0 from 9 votes

Pico de Gallo (Salsa Bandera) Recipe

This iconic fresh tomato salsa is also called salsa bandera (flag) because it has the three colors of the Mexican flag: green, white, and red making this salsa perfect for Mexican Independence Day.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 33 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 Jalapeno pepper stemmed and chopped
  • 1 Serrano pepper stemmed and chopped
  • 3 small Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes chopped
  • 1 small white onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ¼ cup tomato sauce optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Put chopped jalapeño, serrano, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt.
  2. Add lime juice and tomato sauce, if using. Mix well and taste and add additional salt if necessary.
  3. Serve as a topping on fish, chicken, grilled steak, or with a basket of tortilla chips.

Notes

  • If you like your salsa extra spicy, consider adding in a habanero.
  • If you like homemade pico de gallo milder, you can remove seeds and veins from chile peppers. Also, feel free to omit the serrano. Learn all about the heat of different chile peppers.
  • For a mild onion flavor, rinse and strain the onion.
  • If you like a stronger onion flavor, you can use red onion in place of the white onion. 
  • The longer the salsa sits, the more the tomatoes release their juices and make the salsa slightly watery. I don’t mind that, but my mom adds a bit of tomato sauce to help thicken the salsa without losing its tomato flavor or overpowering the other ingredients. You could also drain some of the juice before serving, if desired.
  • In place of the tomato sauce, you could add a spicy sauce.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Do not freeze, as the veggies will fall apart and turn to mush in the thawing process.

Nutrition Information

Calories 33kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 377mg (16%) Potassium 309mg (9%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 887IU (18%) Vitamin C 21mg (23%) Calcium 16mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 33

% Daily Value*

Calories 33kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 377mg 16%
Potassium 309mg 7%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 887IU 18%
Vitamin C 21mg 23%
Calcium 16mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.