4 Simple Tricks That Will Make Your Pico De Gallo Look Like A Million Bucks

Pico de gallo is a fresh and simple way to season tacos, burritos, or Mexican dishes in general.

The problem is that pico de gallo doesn’t always taste good.

If you’ve ever found yourself with a bland pico, don’t worry—we have the solution for you.

Keep reading for more tips to save your tasteless Pico de Gallo.

What is Pico de Gallo?

Pico de gallo is a classic Mexican salsa.

It’s made of chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers.

Pico de gallo means “beak of the rooster” in Spanish—presumably because that’s what the peppers look like from above.

Pico de gallo isn’t just for tacos: It can be used as a condiment on pretty much anything you put salsa on!

Try it with chips or eggs for breakfast; as a topping for burritos or tacos (or even burgers); mixed into guacamole; or added to soup when you’re feeling adventurous!

What are common mistakes when making Pico de Gallo?

Pico de Gallo is great, but it doesn’t mean that it tastes good every time you make it.

So what are some common issues with this Mexican dish that you should avoid?

Not using enough ingredients

Pico de Gallo is a mixture of various ingredients.

The more ingredients you use, the better the taste of the Pico de Gallo.

So, if you’re making Pico de Gallo, don’t just use one tomato; add two or three tomatoes to the mixture.

And make sure that you add other ingredients such as onions, peppers, and cilantro too.

Not mixing the ingredients well

When making Pico de Gallo, you’ve got to make sure that all ingredients are well mixed.

If some ingredients are left out of your mixture, it won’t taste good.

Make sure that you mix everything thoroughly before serving so that the flavors from the seasonings can penetrate the ingredients evenly.

Underseasoned or overseasoned

Pico de Gallo is supposed to be very lightly seasoned.

So if you’re making it, don’t use too much salt or any other type of seasoning.

But if it is too bland, nobody wants to try your dish.

So make sure that you season it just right.

If you’re unsure how much salt to use, start with a very small amount and add more as needed.

Don’t go overboard on the seasoning, or it will taste too salty.

Using low-quality ingredients

If you want to make a good Pico de Gallo, then you need to use good-quality ingredients.

This means that you should use fresh tomatoes that are ripe and flavorful, as well as herbs and other seasonings.

If your taste buds are not used to the flavor of low-quality ingredients, then you will probably find this dish bland or even unpalatable.

Making the salsa too soon

It will become watery and less appealing if you make the Pico de Gallo too soon before serving.

The best way to avoid this is by making the salsa about half an hour before serving, and this will give it time for all of the ingredients to marinate together and develop their flavors without turning soggy.

Why does my pico de gallo taste bland?

If you’re using low-quality ingredients and/or canned tomatoes, that could be the problem.

The tomato is a key ingredient in pico de gallo, so it’s important to use good ones.

Fresh tomatoes are the best choice here.

If you can’t find good-quality fresh tomatoes, then consider buying high-quality canned tomatoes.

You might also want to add some additional herbs, such as cilantro and oregano.

This will help give your pico de gallo a more complex flavor profile—it should taste bright but not overly acidic or salty like some store-bought varieties tend to do (I’m looking at you, Trader Joe’s!).

If the dish is underseasoned, it will end up flat and boring.

How to fix bland pico de gallo?

If your pico tastes bland, it’s time to bring out the big guns.

Here are some common ways that help your Pico de Gallo taste much better:

Add salt

Salt is a good start, but not just any salt will do.

You need something that won’t leave lumps in your bowl of salsa and also brings out its flavors.

For this reason, we recommend Kosher salt instead of table salt or sea salt—both of which have larger grains than kosher salt and can cause clumping when mixed into small amounts of liquid (like salsa).

Salt gives pico de gallo its flavor, so if you’re missing that extra something, it’s likely that your salsa just needs more of this seasoning element.

The amount of salt you should add depends on how much pico de gallo you’re making and how much saltiness you prefer in the dish.

A pinch is usually enough for a small batch, but if you want to make a large batch for a party or gathering with many guests to feed (or just yourself), it’s worth considering adding more since everyone likes different levels of spice.

Add spices and herbs

You can add herbs and spices to your pico de gallo for a more flavorful dish.

For example, you could try adding some fresh cilantro, which will add a nice lemon flavor.

Or, if you want something spicier, try adding some jalapeños or red pepper flakes; this will spice things up!

Add acid

If you’re making pico de gallo and it tastes a bit bland, adding acid is one of the most common fixes.

Some of the best options are lime juice or red wine vinegar—you can even combine them! You can also try lemon juice, orange juice, hot sauce, and olive oil.

Add chopped vegetables

Pico de gallo is traditionally made with fresh diced tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.

But if your pico de gallo lacks flavor, it might be time to add some other chopped vegetables, more current ones, or other kinds of veggies.

For example, celery adds crunch to the salsa while adding a light sweetness that balances out the acidity of the tomatoes and onions.

Bell peppers add texture and color to pico de Gallo without watering your salsa.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that pico de gallo is delicious and easy to make, but you should always taste it before serving.

If your pico de gallo tastes bland, consider our methods to give it more flavor.