Bring some Mexican flavor to your life with this easy Chipotle Pico de Gallo recipe! In just a few simple steps, you can make a delicious addition to any meal.
Is it fresh tomato salsa or is it Pico de Gallo? In this copycat recipe for Chipotle’s fresh tomato salsa, we don’t really care. All we know is that whatever you call it, everybody loves this recipe, and it is delicious! Not only is it fresh and delicious, but it’s better because you made it!
The truth is that Chipotle’s recipe is really a classic Pico de Gallo but because of Chipotle’s marketing division, it is branded in America as a fresh tomato salsa. You could stretch it a little and call it Salsa Fresca.
Table of contents
Watch How We Made The Fresh Tomato Salsa
Chipotle’s Fresh Tomato Salsa Review
We love Chipotle. The friendly and fast service is usually right on point. The food and ingredients are always fresh. They are really known for a kind of build your own menu with burritos and bowls.
The fresh salsa as promised, brightened our burrito with flavors of cilantro, lime and onion coming through nicely. We really liked this fresh version of finely diced vegetables over a cooked down sauce. Glass jars of sauce are commonly displayed in the grocery aisle (next to the nachos) with a lid that go “pop” when it opens.
Tomato Selection For Salsa
This time of year with tomatoes in abundance, that’s what we are going to focus on; a supply of local Maryland tomatoes, just picked this morning in the fields. Tomatoes are the main ingredient along with onion, cilantro, jalapeño, salt and lime juice. That’s how easy this recipe for fresh tomato salsa really can be.
Because of the tremendous abundance of tomatoes this season, look for the firmest tomatoes at the local farmers stand. If you have them growing in your garden, even better. Firm tomatoes would be a better choice because the Pico will be less watery.
Onion Selection For Pico de Gallo
We typically like to use white onions for many of our recipes. White onions seem to have a brighter and sharper flavor than red and yellow onions. However, in this copycat recipe for Chipotles fresh tomato salsa, we stay true to red onions. Sweetness of the red onion is pronounced with a sharp smell, so it works well in the salsa.
I think that it is important to make sure the onion is finely diced, almost minced. So, take your time when slicing the onions and make sure they are finely diced.
How To Make Fresh Tomato Salsa At Home
Don’t mess around by adding raw garlic to this salsa. Stay with Jalapeños for heat and bite. Add cilantro to add a deeper citrus complexity to the salsa.
If you really hate and can’t tolerate cilantro, try mixing in some other fresh herbs like parsley. A good combination of herbs would be parsley, tarragon and dill to replace the cilantro.
Recipe For Chipotle Pico De Gallo
Ingredients
- 2 Tomatoes
- ½ Red Onion
- 1 cup Cilantro
- 2 Jalapeños
- 1 Lime
- 2 tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes, red onion and jalapeño.
- Chop the cilantro leaves, some stems are ok.
- Mix the ingredients together and add the lime juice and salt.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Will keep for several days in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
This fresh salsa turned out exactly as we expected. Fresh. Flavor packed. I cut up some corn tortillas and flash fried them for a quick snack. Absolutely delicious. I could live on chips and salsa!
If you like hotter salsa, I recommend that you set a bottle of hot sauce on the table for the guests that want to spice it up.
“ My favorite food in the world is Mexican food. I’m not a dessert person. I’m more of a crunchy, salt girl. I could live on chips and salsa. I would take a Mexican meal over some fancy French cuisine anytime.
Michelle Pfeiffer
About Throwdown Kitchen
Amazing food and the people who cook it! Throwdown Kitchen is the cooking show that features fast and easy recipes that everyone can enjoy! Everyday casual food and entertainment is all about friends and family. People get that and we hope you do too.
We are living in amazing times and a lot is happening with the dining scene. People are cooking again and if you are here, then we have something in common. The love of food and cooking for family and friends!
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