Last week I showed you how to make Quick and Easy Pickled Peppers. This week a few of those pickled peppers came together with some fresh garden tomatoes and chipotle flakes to make a delightfully tasty pico de gallo. Bobby and I have eaten three batches of this in the past few days because it’s so addicting and we wanted to get the seasoning just right. Lucky us.
A question some of you may have asked at some time in the past – “What’s the difference between pico de gallo and salsa?”. Pico de gallo is a type of salsa. Salsa is Spanish for sauce and most salsas that you are probably familiar with are pureed with chiles, tomatoes, and spices, and are somewhat saucy like this Chile de Arbol Salsa. When the tomatoes are chopped and combined with a few other chopped ingredients, the salsa can be called a pico de gallo which tends to have less liquid than salsa. For this recipe, the tomatoes are drained before adding the additional ingredients. This creates a relatively chunky salsa, but not too chunky to be piled on a tortilla chip and devoured. Use it for chips and salsa or as a topping for tacos, tostadas, burritos or a nice bowl of pinto beans.
A pico de gallo made with homemade pickled peppers, fresh tomatoes, and a few chipotle flakes. A different take on chips and salsa.
*See Kitchen Notes for related links and more information.
- 1 pound fresh tomatoes, diced and drained*
- 2 Tbsp minced pickled peppers*
- 2 Tbsp minced onion
- ¼ tsp cumin-coriander mix*
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp chipotle flakes*
- Pinch or two of salt
- Chop the tomatoes and place in a strainer and let drain for about 15 minutes*.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
- Serve immediately or let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Best when eaten within 2 days (which isn’t a hard thing to do).
Pickled Peppers – If you haven’t made a jar of pickled peppers yet, you could easily use some store bought pickled peppers like pickled jalapeno or possibly pepperoncini. If the peppers you choose are really, really hot, then you might cut the amount in half, because chipotle flakes tend to be quite hot as well. To be on the safe side (if you like being safe), test the spiciness of both your chipotle and pickled peppers to determine how hot you want your pico de gallo to be and adjust the amount of each accordingly.
Chipotle Flakes – If you don’t have chipotle flakes, you could substitute chipotle powder or another “smoked” chile flake. A smoky chile works quite nicely with the acidity of the pickled peppers.
Draining the liquid – The use of fresh tomatoes yields a lot of liquid; therefore, draining the cut tomatoes reduces the amount of liquid at the bottom of the serving dish. However, you might want to wait and drain until right before serving. I like to reserve the seasoned liquid for another use, like adding to a soup, a bowl of beans or a pot of rice.
The thing about chile salsas and sauces is that they have so many ways to be enjoyed as I mentioned previously. Here are a few more that you’ll enjoy. I’m sure you’ll find several dishes on which to use them.
Well thank you for explaining what a pico de gallo was exactly, always wondered but never looked it up. Yours looks so colorful and flavorful!
You are most welcome and thank you!
Perfect with drinks. Will make it next time I am entertaining!
Thanks Asmita!
I think so that’s what we were looking for the past few month since we had tasted a dip, which looked like yours, but we didn’t know the name. Will try MJ! =D
Thanks Helene!
Never made pico de gallo before but I do love eating it.. definitely inspired to recreate the recipe. Looks delicious!
Thanks Thalia! It’s so easy to make. You really should give it a try!
This pico sounds completely delicious! I can not wait to try it.
Thanks Jen!
I’m always looking for a good salsa recipe! Most definitely need to try this one 🙂
Thanks so much Trang!
Actually this summer I was at the grocery store and wondered that exact question. It looks salsa to me but it had the different name – Pico de Gallo. I didn’t actually had a chance to figure it out (with 2 kids shopping together, my thought was probably just 5 seconds), and moved on. Now I am so happy to actually read the explanation of the words difference!!!! Thank you for the explanation. Your Pico de Gallo looks so yummy! We love chips and salsa and it’s always a nice starter at a casual party. 🙂
With 2 kids, I’m surprised the thought lasted 5 seconds. 🙂 You are most welcome for the clarification and thank you for the comment!
Well that is delicious and sounds very addictive! Yum…
Oh it is addictive! Thanks!
Yum! Pico de Gallo, Cheese dip and Nachos with Corona thats what you call life 🙂
I’m right there with you Raymund! 🙂
You always made simple recipe that was easy and full of flavors..
Thanks!
I haven’t heard of pico de gallo but it looks wonderful and l’m sure it’s full of flavour. Absolutely perfect to serve with corn chips xx
Thanks Charlie! I have a big weakness for chips and salsa, so yes, this is perfect with chips! 🙂
I always keep on forgetting what a pico de gallo is, so I’m glad to see this obviously delicious sauce on your blog. I should probably make it one day: the best way to make sure I don’t forget what it is 😉 I love your presentation: it looks ready and perfect for my weekend wine and snacks evening.
That’s so true Sissi! Once you make something and love it (and I know that YOU would love this), you won’t forget. 🙂 Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend! Thanks!
Hi MJ,
This looks truly delicious, though never tried it.
Have a nice weekend ahead!
Thanks Rashida! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Although I have a sensitive stomach i love Mexican and Tex Mex only milder. This is a delicious pico de gallo!
Thanks Katerina! The nice things about making spicy cuisine it that you can control the spiciness with the chiles you use. I can’t handle them near as spicy as I use to, but I still like a nice kick. 🙂 Sorry you have a sensitive stomach.
Thanks for clearing up the difference between salsa and Pico de Gallo. Your version looks relish and just perfect timing for the weekend as I am sure my boys will be foraging for snacks. Take Care
You’re most welcome Bam! Gotta love those teenage boys who have a bottomless stomach. 🙂 Thanks!
Just hand me the bowl.. and there won’t be any trouble. 🙂 My taste-buds are going into overdrive here. Yum! Yum!
Thanks Ramona! I’m with you… It’s good right out of the bowl! 🙂
This is my next salsa! It looks really appetizing, MJ.
Thanks Angie! I hope you enjoy it!
Hi MJ, just stopped by to let you know you’ve been featured today over at Carole’s Chatter. Cheers
Thanks so much Carole! I’ll head over there!
Haha, yes, keep sampling till you get it just right is what I say. Love this sophisticated version of salsa with its delicious add-ons (perfect for game day — am I catching on to this American thing or what? 😉 ). Chipotle is one of my favorite ways to spice up my life ;o). You know I would also love this on my eggs MJ!
Sampling is the most fun past of creating in the kitchen! 🙂 Yes, we did have one of the batches during a football game last weekend and now I need to make another batch for eggs this weekend. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have always wondered about the difference between pico de gallo and salsa – thanks so much for clarifying this! Your pico de gallo sounds amazing – I can only imagine the flavors of the pickled peppers and the cumin-coriander mix together!
You are most welcome Shashi! Bobby was the one that sparked that comment because I was thinking salsa and he tasted it and said “Great pico de gallo!”, and he’s so right! The depth of flavors between the peppers, the chipotle and the spice mix is pretty deep. Thanks!
Why hasn’t anyone told me about chipotle flakes before?!! I love the idea of these, and am so going to get some. 😉 Great pico de Gallo — looks great, and I know it tastes better! Because you made it. 😉
Better late than never John! I know what you mean. I didn’t know about chipotle flakes until Reese sent me some and they are downright awesome! Who needs powder when they can use flakes. You really need to get some. Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
All of my favorite flavors in this, MJ! With buckets of ripe tomatoes still lining the side of my kitchen, I’m sure I can find time to make this 🙂 thanks!
Thanks so much Donalyn! Certainly you’re not complaining about the tomatoes? 🙂 We still have several bowls of tomatoes on the kitchen countertops, so I’m always looking for another use and this pico de gallo turned out to be an excellent use!