Name: Mild pico de gallo
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 5-6 ripes tomatoes, chopped - about 2 cups; 1/2 cup white or red onion, finely chopped; Handful of fresh cilantro, about 2 Tablespoons after it's minced; 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced; 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, about a 1/2 lemon; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 mild jalapeno (optional)

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Fun fact – Americans consumer for salsa than ketchup!

And I get why, it is such a versatile condiment and tastes great on everything – fish, eggs, meat and even cauliflower rice! I want to show you how easy it is to make your very own low-carb, mild salsa at home for cheap!

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Fresh tomatoes make the best salsa!

The main ingredient of this keto salsa recipe is tomatoes. Now you can go to the store and buy canned tomatoes (they’re much more expensive) or you can use fresh tomatoes.

I like to use either fesh Roma tomatoes or better yet, homegrown tomatoes! However, you can use any tomato variety you like – beefsteak, cherry and even heirloom tomatoes all work great! Just make sure they’re fully ripe and in season (taste best and most flavourful). If buying tomatoes out of season, look for ones grown in a hot house. They will have better flavor and don’t have to travel nearly as far to reach your table.

What is the difference between pico de galo and salsa?

Salsa is popular in Mexican cuisine and is a broad category of condiment or topping that can refer to everything from tomato based sauces with chili peppers to fruit based ones made with citrus. Salsa is a Spanish word that means sauce or juice, so technically you could say pico de gallo salsa – but not all salsas are made equal!

Pico de gallo is a type of fresh Mexican salsa made with a combination of fresh chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, and chili pepper (jalapeno, serrano, etc.), often seasoned with lime or lemon juice and salt. This type of chunky salsa has a crisp fresh flavor that is perfect for tacos, salads, served with chips or pork rinds, or as a side dish to spicy Mexican meats.

Want More Salsa Recipes: Try:

Simple Keto Salsa Recipe

The idea behind this keto pico de gallo recipe is that the tomato, onion, mild chili pepper, and cilantro are all low carb foods that come together in a flavorful dish.

Can you eat pico on keto?

Yes! My recipe for pico de gallo is a great ketogenic food option. It is low in both carbs and sugar. This recipe is simple and with fresh ingredients, not from a jar with preservatives you can feel good about eating.

Can you have salsa on keto?

Most tomato based salsas are keto-friendly. However, you have to watch out for added sugars and carb heavy ingredients. It sounds odd, but even certain “fresh” salsas at the grocery store contain sugar.

How many carbs in a pico de gallo?

That can really depend on what peppers you use and what type of onion you have used for this recipe. I always advise people to look at the nutritional information on their food labels for this type of question. My keto salsa recipe is not tailored to have a specific serving size or carbs per serving because it all depends on your dietary needs.

Ingredients for mild pico de gallo:

5-6 ripes tomatoes, chopped – about 2 cups
1/2 cup white or red onion, finely chopped – use the onion you prefer.
Handful of fresh cilantro, about 2 Tablespoons after it’s minced
3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons lemon juice, about a 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1 mild jalapeno (optional)

Making a Mild, Fresh Tomato Salsa

Before we get into the recipe for this fresh recipe, let’s talk heat. If you or someone in your family can’t tolerate spicy foods, I would recommend using a very mild pepper or opting it entirely.

Personally, I love the spicy heat from serrano peppers and jalapeno peppers. But in this salsa recipe I’m going for a mildly spiced pico de gallo that provides just a little bit of a kick but still feels refreshing to eat. Usually this type of salsa is served as a condiment with tortilla chips or pork rinds, on top of tacos or burrito bowls, or simply as a side dish with your favorite Mexican food – you don’t want to overwhelm your palate.

For a mild heat, choose a mild jalapeno and discard the seeds. If you like it extra mild, opt for a green bell pepper or omit the chili peppers all together.

How do you make homemade pico de gallo?

To make this easy salsa recipe, simply combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and toss together. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container.

I wouldn’t recommend storing this type if salsa more than 24 hours due to the fresh cilantro. But this fresh salsa is so darn good, that it usually doesn’t last that long anyway.

You can adjust the level of heat in this salsa by altering the number of jalapeno peppers you use, using different types of chili peppers completely, or even just adding the seeds into it for more heat.