🫙 Homemade Fresh Garden Salsa (Pico de Gallo Style)

🫙 Homemade Fresh Garden Salsa (Pico de Gallo Style)

Looking for a vibrant, flavorful salsa that captures the freshness of your garden harvest? This homemade Fresh Garden Salsa — also known as Pico de Gallo — is loaded with juicy tomatoes, zesty onions, hot peppers, and fragrant cilantro. It’s perfect for chips, tacos, grilled meats, or just spooning straight from the jar!

Whether you’re making a quick batch to enjoy fresh or planning to preserve it, this recipe delivers big flavor with simple, wholesome ingredients.

🍅 Ingredients

• 8–10 Roma or garden-fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 1–2 jalapeño or serrano peppers, minced (remove seeds for less heat)
• 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 2 limes (or substitute with ½ cup vinegar for canning)
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Optional: 1 diced green bell pepper, or a pinch of cumin for depth

🥣 Instructions

1. Prep the Ingredients

Wash and finely chop all vegetables. The finer you chop, the better the texture and flavor balance.

2. Mix the Salsa

In a large bowl, combine chopped tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic, and cilantro. Stir in the lime juice (or vinegar) and season with salt. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.

3. Let It Marinate

Refrigerate the salsa for at least 1–2 hours before serving. This helps all the flavors meld together beautifully.

4. Store

Spoon the salsa into clean jars and refrigerate. It stays fresh for up to 7 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

🔥 Want to Can It?

For longer shelf life, here’s how to safely can this salsa:

Water Bath Canning Instructions:

1. Bring salsa to a boil and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
2. Use ½ cup vinegar or ¼ cup bottled lemon juice per pint to ensure safe acidity.
3. Fill hot jars, leaving ½-inch headspace.
4. Wipe rims, add lids, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
5. Let jars cool for 12–24 hours. Check seals before storing in a cool, dark place. Shelf stable up to 1 year.

🌮 Serving Ideas

• Serve with tortilla chips as a snack or appetizer
• Top tacos, burritos, or enchiladas
• Add to scrambled eggs or omelets
• Spoon over grilled chicken, steak, or fish
• Mix into rice or pasta for a flavor boost

💡 Pro Tips

• Want it spicier? Add habanero or more jalapeños.
• For a smoky twist, try roasting the tomatoes and peppers before mixing.
• Don’t skip the chilling step — it brings out the best flavor!

This garden-fresh salsa is the perfect way to celebrate seasonal produce — and once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought. 🌿