Can You Freeze Pico De Gallo? – And What To Do Instead
Pico De Gallo is so delicious and can be used for a variety of things. From salsa to toppings to fillings, pico can be your best friend in the kitchen. It’s so easy to make and it’s always best fresh. Plus, it’s vegetables and fruits so of course, it’s a healthy option to add!
Pico De Gallo can be quite useful for a number of things. This fresh salsa is considered a salsa fresca because it is made with all fresh ingredients. It’s typically made fresh to be used in the near future.
However, if you’re looking for ways to use up some tomatoes and veggies you may want to make it in bulk.
Can you freeze pico de gallo? Yes, freezing pico de gallo is an option. Canning your pico de gallo is an even better choice though.
As we progress through this guide, we will share with you the process of freezing pico de gallo as well as what your results may be. Sometimes your pico is not the same after freezing it so we want you to be aware. As an alternative, we will also share some canning information to give you another option.
Keep reading to learn all about freezing your pico de gallo and more.
Your Guide to Storing Pico De Gallo
Pico De Gallo originated from Spanish culture. It’s a very common addition to Mexican cuisine and is also commonly used as a salsa. Pico de gallo is considered a salsa Fresca, which simply means it is made with fresh ingredients.
The ingredients of pico de gallo can vary depending on your tastes but ultimately it always contains tomato, onions, salt, lime juice, cilantro, and your choice of pepper. Pico de gallo is chopped fresh ingredients and does not have as much liquid as regular salsa typically does.
Here are some great uses for pico de gallo:
- Salsa
- Top your tacos
- Add to a frittata, quiche, or an omelet
- Top a cheeseburger
- Toss with shrimp or even prawns
- Add to quesadillas
- Use to fill or top burritos
- Mix with salad
- Serve as a side or topping to any dish
The uses for pico de gallo are limitless. Since it is a simple mixture of vegetables, you can literally do just about anything you want to with the mix.
Chances are when you make fresh pico de gallo, it will be quite easy to use it all before you have to worry about going bad. But we totally understand why you may want to make some in bulk and have a way to store it for the long haul.
You can absolutely freeze your pico de gallo. There may be some changes to consistency when it thaws. You can also can your pico de gallo as a suitable alternative.
Are Pico De Gallo and Salsa the Same?
While pico de gallo and salsa are made with similar ingredients, they are made with different concepts in mind. They can even be used for a lot of the same things but overall they are not the same thing.
They are quite similar. However, there are some notable differences between the two. For instance, salsa is specifically made for dipping purposes. While it can be used for other things, that was the original intention. Pico was made to be eaten alone or added to nearly any dish.
Pico de gallo nearly qualifies as a salad. The ingredients of pico de gallo are simply chopped. However, salsa ingredients are typically chopped much smaller. Particularly, the tomatoes. With salsa, the tomatoes are often blended or crushed rather than simply diced.
Salsa usually has quite a bit of liquid since the ingredients are diced small or even blended. Pico de gallo usually has a minimal liquid that is simply the result of natural juices from the diced ingredients.
Those are the primary differences. These two things are quite similar but not quite the same.
The Details for Freezing Pico De Gallo
When it comes to safety, pico de gallo is perfectly safe to eat after freezing. The lime juice used in the mix helps to preserve the ingredients so you don’t have to worry about them going bad nearly as easily.
You can freeze your pico de gallo and most likely it will freeze just fine. There is a potential risk that the consistency of the fresh ingredients could be impacted by the freezing process. Again, the lime juice and salt will most likely protect your pico.
We share this because it is a possibility and we want you to be fully aware that your freezing could potentially not have the desired results.
In this case, we can be assured that the lime juice will go a long way to help preserve the mixture. We can certainly hope that the pico will hold up satisfactorily in the freezer as well. If you’re ready to make pico and give it a try, we encourage you to go ahead and do so.
Here are your instructions for freezing pico de gallo:
- Pico de gallo should be stored under a double seal method. This means you should either double bag with freezer bags or seal your airtight container with a layer of plastic wrap between the pico and the lid.
- Leave about ½ inch of headspace in your storage container or bags.
- Be sure to label, date, and seal the pico well in order to best preserve the ingredients.
- Store your pico de gallo in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When you are ready to use your pico de gallo, simply pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the fridge. It’s important to keep it refrigerated for the most part since the ingredients are fresh fruits and vegetables.
Your freezing process should occur within one week of making your fresh pico de gallo. We also think you should know that your flavors intensify as they sit so your pico de gallo may be stronger or spicier when you pull it out to use it.
A Canning Alternative for Pico De Gallo Storage
If you’re uncertain about freezing your pico de gallo or you simply want an alternative solution, canning is a great option.
Canning pico de gallo is highly recommended and is a great way to store large batches of pico de gallo. Much like salsa, canning is fairly simple. You can use a water bath canning method for pico de gallo.
The instructions we will share here are just a basic reference. If you intend to can your pico de gallo, you may want to consider looking for a more extensive guide. However, this instruction is also quite useful.
Here are the basic instructions:
- Prepare your pico de gallo as desired.
- Pre-heat your canning jars under hot water or through a dishwasher rinse cycle. We recommend pint or ½ pint jars for this process.
- Fill the jars with pico de gallo, leaving ½-inch of headspace at the top.
- Add seals and rims to each jar.
- Process in a water bath or a pressure canner for 15 minutes.
- Set out and let cool for up to 24 hours. Be sure your jars seal.
Canning is another optimal solution for storing your pico de gallo. Once you have canned it, you should label and date each jar. Your jars should last up to 12 months stored in a cool, dry location.
Related Questions
We hope that you find this guide to freezing pico de gallo to be a useful resource for you to complete your tasks of storing your pico. Remember that there are options and if you follow the instructions, you should have a successful storing process.
We invite you to review the following question and answer section to see if there may be additional information that could be useful to you.
Is Pico De Gallo Considered Healthy?
Pico is made with fresh ingredients that are all considered good for you. Pico de gallo is a low-calorie option. No matter how you use it, it is healthy.
We do recommend that you be conscious of what you use it on or with as that could make a difference in the health of your meal overall.
Will Pico De Gallo Go Bad?
Pico de gallo typically stays fresh in the fridge for up to about a week. If you push it the full week, by the end of the week you may notice your tomatoes beginning to turn mushy or your cilantro looking a bit wilted. It should still be safe to eat at this point, just not as pretty to look at.
The good news is that the lime juice is a preservation agent and you shouldn’t really have to worry about it going bad. Just be sure that if your pico smells putrid or starts growing mold that you toss it out.
