Looking for a fresh, easy, and spicy salsa recipe? This homemade pickle de gallo will add a delicious crunch to your meals! It’s a unique twist on the traditional pico de gallo that adds a crispy and tangy upgrade to your favorite salsa! It’s perfect for snacking, topping tacos, or adding to burrito bowls.
Besides the irresistible crunch, this pickle salsa is a vibrant condiment featuring fresh ingredients and homemade goodness. It’s a great appetizer for gatherings with family and friends.
With this homemade pickle de gallo recipe, you won’t go back to store-bought salsa again!
What is Pickle de Gallo?
Pickle de gallo is adding crunchy pickles to the traditional pico de gallo. It’s a versatile topping and complements nicely a wide range of dishes.
Whether you’re topping your tacos, adding a kick to hot dogs, or simply scooping it up with your favorite tortilla chips, pickle de gallo brings a delicious crunch to every bite.
While you can certainly purchase the popular Grillo’s Pickle de Gallo that comes in hot, medium, and mild options, nothing beats the homemade version.
This homemade recipe allows you to customize the flavors to your liking and saves you a few bucks in the process. You control the freshness and quality of the ingredients, ensuring a tastier and healthier condiment for you and your family.
Plus, there’s something special about preparing a dish from scratch that just can’t be replicated by store-bought products!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Ingredients Needed For Pickle de Gallo
- 1 large ripe tomato
- 1 cup of hamburger pickles
- 1/2 onion
- fresh cilantro
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp. jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
- 2 pickled spring onions
- 1/2 pickled chili
- 2 small fresh cucumbers
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 white bell pepper
Step-by-Step Preparation With Pictures
1. Start by slicing the cucumbers, white onion and garlic. Try slicing as small as possible.
2. Clean the red and white fresh bell peppers from the seeds and chop.
3. Cut the tomato into small cubes. Remove excess moisture and seeds.
4. Finely dice the pickles, spring onions, and pickled chilies for the marinade. Alternatively, you can use garlic or dill pickles.
5. In a large bowl, combine all the chopped vegetables. Add in the chopped cilantro and jalapeño peppers. Add the pickle brine and give it a good mix until everything is well combined.
6. Close the bowl with a lid and transfer to the fridge for at least 30 minutes or several hours. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve pickle de gallo alongside your favorite dishes or as a standalone snack with some crispy tortilla chips or bread crackers.
Variation Ideas
Feel free to mix and match these ideas or come up with your own unique variations! Here are some fun ways to customize this recipe.
- More or Less Heat: If you like it less spicy deseed the jalapeño before dicing or skip the jalapeño altogether if you’ll be serving it to small kids.
- Sweet Twist: Add a touch of sweetness by incorporating some sweet onions or more white onions into the mix, or opting for mild pickle. It’ll balance out the tanginess perfectly.
- Chunky Medium Pickle de Gallo: Prefer a chunkier texture? Simply chop your veggies into larger pieces and skip the blender or food processor. It’s all about that satisfying crunch!
- Colorful Creations: Mix things up by using colored bell peppers – yellow, orange, green bell peppers, or even purple – to add a pop of color to your dish.
- Extra Crunch: Throw in some diced cucumber or celery for an added crunch factor. Or skip pickles and do cucumbers for a healthier version more suitable for kids.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some tasty ways to savor this zesty salsa.
- Taco Toppings: Load up your tacos with a generous spoonful of pickle de gallo! The tanginess of the pickles pairs perfectly with the savory goodness of your favorite taco fillings. Bonus points if you add some diced red onions for extra crunch and kick!
- Top Hot Dogs: Give your hot dogs a twist by topping them with pickle de gallo, along with some diced yellow onion.
- Nacho: This homemade pickle de gallo is a perfect addition to nachos. It will complement the cheesy goodness of the nachos perfectly.
- Sandwich: Whether you’re making a classic deli sandwich or a veggie wrap, the crispness and tanginess of the pickle de gallo will make it taste so much better!
- Grilled Meats: Serve up a dollop of pickle de gallo alongside your favorite grilled meats. Whether it’s chicken, steak, or fish, the tangy goodness of the pickles will complement the smoky flavors of the grill.
- Dip Delight: Need a quick and easy snack? Set out a bowl of pickle de gallo with your favorite chips. It’s the perfect snack accompaniment to movie night or game day. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak some garden-fresh ingredients into your daily diet!
Tips for Success
- Fresh is Best: Always use the freshest ingredients you can find for the tastiest pickle de gallo. Fresh veggies are key to maximizing flavor. It makes all the difference!
- Tweak to Taste: Don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Whether you want more garlic, less onion, or an extra kick of spice, feel free to customize it to your liking.
- Chill Out: Give your pickle de gallo some time to chill in the fridge before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
- Prep Tips: Take your time with chopping and dicing to ensure everything is of uniform in size. The key to a great pickle de gallo is uniform, bite-sized pieces to balance flavors and textures.
Storage
- Storing: While this fresh pickle salsa is best enjoyed fresh, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. However, keep in mind that its flavor and texture may deteriorate over time, so it’s best to consume it within a day or two of making it to enjoy its maximum freshness.
- Stir Before Serving: Before serving leftover pickle de gallo, give it a good stir. Over time, some liquid may accumulate as the salt draws moisture out of the tomatoes and vegetables. Stirring will help redistribute the flavors and ensure a consistent taste.
- Freezing: While this can be frozen, it’s not the best option. Freezing can change the texture of the tomatoes and other veggies, making them less appealing. If you must freeze it, do so in small batches and be prepared for a slightly altered texture upon thawing.
One Last Thing
Making your own pickle de gallo isn’t just about the flavor – it’s about taking control of what goes into your food. Unlike store-bought versions that may contain added sugars or preservatives, this homemade pickle de gallo recipe allows you to use fresh, wholesome ingredients, ensuring a healthier option for you and your family.
Plus, the beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. Want it spicier? Add more jalapeños. Prefer it sweeter? Throw in some sweet onions. The possibilities are endless when you’re making it from scratch. So, have fun experimenting with different flavors and let me know how it turns out!
Your Turn
If you make this homemade pickle de gallo recipe, please take a moment to let me know how you liked it by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card.
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Best Homemade Pickle de Gallo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe tomato
- 1 cup of hamburger pickles
- 1/2 onion
- fresh cilantro
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp. jalapeño peppers finely chopped
- 2 pickled spring onions
- 1/2 pickled chili
- 2 small fresh cucumbers
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 white bell pepper
Instructions
- Start by slicing the cucumbers, white onion and garlic. Try slicing as small as possible.1/2 onion, 2 small fresh cucumbers, 2 garlic cloves
- Clean the red and white fresh bell peppers from the seeds and chop.1/2 red bell pepper, 1 white bell pepper
- Cut the tomato into small cubes. Remove excess moisture and seeds.1 large ripe tomato
- Finely dice the pickles, spring onions, and pickled chilies for the marinade. Alternatively, you can use garlic or dill pickles.1 cup of hamburger pickles, 2 pickled spring onions, 1/2 pickled chili
- In a large bowl, combine all the chopped vegetables. Add in the chopped cilantro and jalapeño peppers. Add the pickle brine and give it a good mix until everything is well combined.fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp. jalapeño peppers
- Close the bowl with a lid and transfer to the fridge for at least 30 minutes or several hours. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve pickle de gallo alongside your favorite dishes or as a standalone snack with some crispy tortilla chips or bread crackers.
Notes
- Fresh is Best: Always use the freshest ingredients you can find for the tastiest pickle de gallo. Fresh veggies are key to maximizing flavor. It makes all the difference!
- Tweak to Taste: Don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Whether you want more garlic, less onion, or an extra kick of spice, feel free to customize it to your liking.
- Chill Out: Give your pickle de gallo some time to chill in the fridge before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
- Prep Tips: Take your time with chopping and dicing to ensure everything is of uniform in size. The key to a great pickle de gallo is uniform, bite-sized pieces to balance flavors and textures.
Nutrition
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
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