View source for Pico de gallo

{{Short description|Mexican condiment}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Italics title}}
[[File:Mmm... Pico de Gallo (5923456035).jpg|thumb|''Pico de gallo'' made with tomato, onion, and cilantro/coriander]]
[[File:Mexico.Salsa.01.jpg|thumb|[[Lime (fruit)|Limes]] sometimes accompany the sauce.]]
'''''Pico de gallo''''' ({{IPA|es|ˈpiko ðe ˈɣaʝo|lang}}; {{literally|rooster's beak}}), also called '''''salsa fresca''''' ('fresh sauce'), '''''salsa bandera''''' ('flag sauce'), and '''''salsa cruda''''' ('raw sauce'), is a type of [[salsa (sauce)|salsa]] commonly used in [[Mexican cuisine]]. It is traditionally made from chopped [[tomato]], [[onion]], and [[serrano pepper]]s ([[jalapeño]]s or [[habanero]]s may be used as alternatives), with salt, lime juice, and [[cilantro]].

''Pico de gallo'' can be used in much the same way as Mexican liquid salsas. Because it contains less liquid, it also can be used as a main ingredient in dishes such as [[taco]]s and [[fajita]]s.

The tomato-based variety is widely known as '''''salsa picada''''' ('[[Mincing|minced]]/chopped [[sauce]]'). In Mexico it is normally called '''''salsa mexicana''''' ('Mexican sauce'). Because the colors of the red tomato, white onion, and green chili and cilantro are reminiscent of the colors of the [[Flag of Mexico|Mexican flag]], it is also called '''''salsa bandera''''' ('flag sauce').

In many regions of Mexico the term ''pico de gallo'' describes any of a variety of [[salad]]s (including [[fruit salad]]s), [[Salsa (sauce)|salsa]], or [[Filling (cooking)|filling]]s made with [[tomato]], [[tomatillo]], [[avocado]], [[Orange (fruit)|orange]], [[jícama]], cucumber, [[papaya]], or mild chilis. The ingredients are tossed in lime juice and optionally with either [[hot sauce]] or [[Chamoy (sauce)|chamoy]], then sprinkled with a salty [[chili powder]].

==Etymology==
Many native residents of the [[Sonora, Mexico|Sonoran Mexico]] region explain that the salsa is thus named because the [[serrano pepper]] resembles a rooster's beak in shape.<ref>Wilder, Janos. ''The Great Chiles Rellenos Book''. Ten Speed Press, 2013.</ref> According to [[food writer]] [[Sharon Tyler Herbst]],<ref>[[Sharon Tyler Herbst]], ''[[Food Lover's Companion]]'', 2nd ed., as quoted in Barron's Educational Services, Inc. 1995: www.Epicurious.com, retrieved 10/3/2007. [http://www.epicurious.com/tools/fooddictionary/search?query=pico+de+gallo pico de gallo].</ref> ''pico de gallo'' ('rooster's beak') is named thus because originally people ate it by pinching pieces between the [[thumb]] and [[forefinger]]. In their book ''Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico'', [[Rick Bayless]] and [[Deann Groen]] speculate that the name might allude to the [[bird feed|bird-feed]]—like texture and appearance of the mince.<ref>Bayless, Rick; Groen, Deann. ''Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico''.</ref>

==See also==
{{Cookbook-inline|Pico de Gallo}}
{{Portal|Mexico|Food}}
* [[List of Mexican dishes]]
* [[List of tomato dishes]]
* [[Dabu-dabu]]
* [[Lomi salmon]]
* [[Pebre]]
* [[Salsa criolla]]
* [[Vinagrete]]
* [[Xnipec]]
* [[Afghan salad]], a similar salad from Afghanistan
* [[Arab salad]], a similar salad from the Arab world
* [[Çoban salatası]], a similar salad from Turkey
* [[Greek salad]], a similar salad from Greece
* [[Israeli salad]], a similar salad from Israel
* [[Kachumbari]], a similar salad from East Africa
* [[Kachumber]], a similar salad from India
* [[Serbian salad]], a similar salad from Serbia
* [[Shirazi salad]], a similar salad from Iran
* [[Shopska salad]], a similar salad from Bulgaria

==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Condiments}}
{{Salads}}
{{Mexican cuisine}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pico De Gallo}}
[[Category:Condiments]]
[[Category:Costa Rican cuisine]]
[[Category:Cuisine of the Southwestern United States]]
[[Category:Mexican cuisine]]
[[Category:Mexican garnish]]
[[Category:Cuisine of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Salads]]
[[Category:Spanish words and phrases]]
[[Category:Tex-Mex cuisine]]
[[Category:Tomato dishes]]
[[Category:Vegan cuisine]]