When you make salsa, do you fall into a rut? Tomatoes. Check. Garlic. Check. Cilantro, lime, onion. Check check check. I'm here to offer you a way to climb out of the rut and jump into a can of pickled serrano peppers (I could probably swim in these for real). Sweet, spicy, vinegar-y and a totally easy way to amp up your pico de gallo.

The BEST Pico de Gallo recipe made with all the classic ingredients with the most amazing secret ingredient—pickled serrano peppers.

Simple Pico de Gallo recipe made with one amazing secret ingredient. Add the perfect touch of sweet, savory, spice to this fresh salsa. #salsa #picodegallo #Mexican

Simple, fresh ingredients

Fresh, simple ingredients make this amazing salsa the perfect appetizer, the perfect dip, the perfect accent for any meal or afternoon snack.

Tomatoes on the vine—I love using these tomatoes, as they tend to be fresher, redder and firmer than their lonely counterparts.

Jalapeño—seeds in a jalepeño are the easiest way to add spice. I like it completely de-seeded, but keep some or all to kick it up.

Fresh lime juice—always fresh. Firmly roll dark green limes under your palm to release the juice, slice in half and squeeze. Lime juice packs an amazing flavor punch, so its important its fresh.

Cilantro—my absolute favorite smell is freshly chopped cilantro. If it's yours too, I'm sure we'd be bosom buddies.

Yellow or sweet onion—also important to be fresh. I like sweet onion, but go for your favorite, whatever it may be.

To make this Pico de Gallo, simply...

FIRST, place onion, jalapeño, Serrano pepper, cilantro and garlic in a food processor. PULSE until finely chopped (about 10 times).

NEXT, DICE the tomatoes, removing pulp and seeds. Rachel likes to add the tomato to the food processor to make it more like restaurant pico, but I (Amy) like the tomatoes a little bigger to add variance to the texture.

STIR in the lime juice, salt and pepper to taste.

DONE! This pico can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, but its freshest for 3 days. Now that was easy!

Love this recipe? Try these other simple make ahead Mexican recipes full of spice & flavor.

Jalapeno Garlic Pinto Beans - Amazing side dish for any Mexican meal — **Jalapeño Garlic Pinto Beans**

Chicken and Rice Bake with Salsa Verde | Super simple and healthy weeknight dinner, ready in a flash. Brown rice, salsa verde, cream cheese, chicken and black beans. — **Jalapeño Garlic Pinto Beans**

Pico de Gallo

Amazing recipe full of fresh flavor and a secret ingredient.

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Ingredients

2-3 red tomatoes on the vine chopped fine or quartered
1 jalapeño fresh or jarred
1 pickled Serrano pepper these are found in the Latin American food section in a can
2 tablespoon lime juice
⅓ C cilantro
1 tablespoon garlic heaping
1 small onion or half a large
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

In a food processor, add jalapeño, Serrano pepper, cilantro, garlic, and onion. Pulse until fine (about 10 pulses).
Add lime, salt, and pepper. Pulse 2 times.
Add quartered tomato. Pulse until chopped. Or chop by hand to add texture.
Add more salt and pepper if needed

Notes

*I personally like a juicier pico so I quarter the tomatoes and put them in the food processor (plus its less work). However if you prefer it chunkier with less juice you will want to dice the tomatoes by hand to your preferred size and stir them in after you have processed all other ingredients.

**Do not de-seed the jalapeño or Serrano pepper, this gives the salsa the perfect kick and flavor. But if making for small children or adults who are afraid of spice, then de-seed.