Quick strawberry pico de gallo recipe! 5-ingredient fresh strawberry salsa perfect for eating with tortilla chips or topping on tacos.
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Hi, Rhubarbarians! Today we are getting SWEET AND SPICY with some strawberry pico de gallo!
This makes a fabulous spring or summer appetizer that you'll want to bring to every potluck or bbq.
Our inspiration for this recipe comes from Mexican pico de gallo or salsa fresca. Pico de gallo is a type of salsa that originates in Mexico, traditionally made with tomato, lime juice, onion, serrano, and salt. We are straying from the traditional recipe and swapping the tomato for fresh strawberry.
Jump to:
Fresh strawberry salsa
You may be scratching your head on this flavor combo! But we are here to tell you, IT'S FANTASTIC.
Strawberries give pico de gallo some sweetness, so you get a sweet and savory flavor in each bite.
Why this recipe works: Sweet, flavorful strawberries marry well with savory onion, spicy jalapeno, tart lime juice, and fragrant cilantro. It's a sweet and savory flavor explosion in each and every bite!
Here's what you'll need
With minimal ingredients, equipment, and time, you'll be making this strawberry pico de gallo all summer long. (Full instructions are listed in the recipe card below)
Ingredients:
- Fresh strawberries. Look for firm strawberries that still have some crispness to them.
- Red onion
- Jalapeno
- Fresh cilantro
- Limes
- salt
Equipment:
- A sharp knife: for prepping the ingredients
- A cutting board or cutting surface: for prepping the ingredients
- Measuring cups: for measuring the ingredients
- Measuring spoons: for measuring the ingredients
- Citrus juicer (optional): for squeezing the limes
- A medium sized bowl: for making the pico de gallo
- A large spoon or stirring utensil: for making the pico de gallo
How to make it
If you've never made your own pico de gallo before, you'll be blown away at how easy it is to make! (Full instructions are listed in the recipe card below)
- First, prep all of your ingredients
- Combine your ingredients in a medium sized bowl
- Toss together and then add a pinch of salt
- Toss together again and taste for additional seasoning
- Enjoy!
How to serve
We love this strawberry pico de gallo so much, we often times just eat it with a spoon! But, just like traditional pico de gallo, the serving possibilities are endless.
- Serve it as an appetizer: This is fantastic served as a dip with some tortilla chips! Or serve it alongside some nachos, quesadillas, or toss it with some avocado.
- Serve it as a topping: Add a burst of flavor to your tacos, burritos, or a protein of your choice!
- Bring it to a bbq or potluck: This is a huge hit for a crowd! Great for spooning onto grilled veggies or proteins, or just eating a spoon.
Ingredient substitutions
Can't find an ingredient? That's okay! There are many options to make this strawberry salsa at home.
- If you can't find fresh strawberries, we don't recommend using frozen. Instead, try fresh cherries or fresh mango.
- No red onion? That's okay! You can swap for any type of onion you have on hand, even the bulbs of green onion.
- The jalapeno: We love jalapenos because we like the spice level. For less heat, opt for a green pepper or a hatch chile. For more heat, try a serrano pepper.
- The cilantro: There's not really a great substitute for cilantro. If you don't like it, feel free to leave it out. You can add in a pinch of fresh parsley for freshness, but the flavor will be different.
Prep ahead, storing, and freezing
- Prep ahead: You know what? This strawberry pico de gallo is actually better when it's made ahead! Storing in the refrigerator for an hour or two will allow the flavors to marinate. If you plan to make this a day (or even two) ahead, leave the cilantro out until ready to serve.
- Storing: Store the leftover salsa in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: We don't recommend freezing pico de gallo.
FAQs
According to The Kitchn: "Pico de gallo, referred to as salsa fresco, is a type of salsa. It’s a fresh, uncooked mixture of chopped tomatoes and onions, cilantro, fresh chiles, lime juice, and salt. Unlike salsa, which can take on a lot of different variations, the ingredients in pico de gallo don’t really vary from recipe to recipe, and are always fresh."
Yep! You can adjust the servings in the recipe card for easy measurements.
We don't recommend frozen strawberries. You want the strawberries to the firm and fresh!
Yes! Keep cooled in a cooler while traveling. If you plan to make this a day (or even two) ahead, leave the cilantro out until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe? Leave us a review and star rating in the comments below! We read every single review and appreciate your feedback.
Recipe
Quick strawberry pico de gallo recipe! 5-ingredient fresh strawberry salsa perfect for eating with tortilla chips or topping on tacos.
- 2 cups finely diced fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup minced red onion
- 2 Tbsp minced jalapeno
- ½ cup loosely packed chopped cilantro leaves
- 6 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
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Combine the strawberries, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime in a medium sized bowl. Gently toss together.
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Season with a small pinch of salt, toss to combine, and taste. Add more salt if desired.
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Serve immediately or let marinate in the fridge for an hour for even better flavor.
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If you make this recipe, please let us know on social media or in the comments below! Leave a star rating in your comment or tag us on Instagram with #Rhubarbarians
Ahu
This looks incredible! I love using strawberry in savory dishes. beautiful photos!
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you Ahu! Got another savory strawberry recipe coming to the blog this week. 🙂
Marsha
Please give more examples of how to use this. It is such and unusual combination of flavors.
Patricia Bozeman
Hi Marsha! You could eat this out of a bowl with chips. Or you could top it onto fish or other meat. Put it on tacos. Anything that you would put a salsa or chutney on, you could use this for.
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
I often use watermelon in mine - will definiteloy have to try this strawberry version
Patricia Bozeman
Oh man, watermelon would be SO GOOD! Gotta try that when Summer rolls around.
athleticavocado
So many wonderful flavors in this awesome salsa! I never thought of putting strawberries with jalapenos, genius!
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you so much!
Brita Britnell
yes yes yes!! This looks amazing! AND, I just planted ALL of these ingredients in my garden so I'll try this in the summer with (hopefully) all fresh ingredients.
Patricia Bozeman
Awesome Brita! Can't wait to hear what you think!
nutritioulicious
Oh, yum! I see fish tacos with this on top in my future!
Patricia Bozeman
This would be so good on fish tacos!
Lorena
So glad you are back Trish and with such a delicious recipe! This screams summer. Wheeeee 😀
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Lorena! Great to be blogging again.
peter @feedyoursoultoo
I really like to use pico de gallo as a condiment. Such a spring flavor to bring in the strawberries.
Patricia Bozeman
I do too! I put it on everything!
killingthyme
YEP! Sure do need THIS recipe in my life! It sounds so refreshing and tasty!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Dana! Let me know if you try it out!
Christine | Vermilion Roots
I'm so excited for strawberry season. This is so refreshing! 🙂
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you Christine!
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy
Sounds great I bet the lime adds a hint of tartness to those juicy strawberries?
Patricia Bozeman
It sure does. It's a great combination!
Catherine
Dear Trish, this looks fabulous! Bursting with flavor and color...a great recipe to come back with dear. xoxo, Catherine
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you Catherine!
Marissa @ OMG FOOD
Welcome back! This pico de gallo looks amazing. I'm so glad you're blogging again!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks so much Marissa!
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil)
Now I know exactly what I'll be making with my first CSA strawberries (tho I doubt I'll see them until May 🙂
Patricia Bozeman
I was so surprised to see them so early this year! Hopefully you will get some early Spring ones!
Serena Ball MS, RD (@tspcurry)
LOOK at this! So gorgeous. And about the best way to use 5 ingredients I can think of! So glad you're back!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Serena!
Raquel @ My California Roots
Woahhh, salsa with strawberries?! How weird and fun! So glad to see you posting your awesome recipes again, Trish!
Patricia Bozeman
Ha! Yep! Back to making weird stuff with my CSA produce! It feels so great to be working on my passion again.