Can Pico de Gallo be frozen? - And what to do instead

Pico de gallo is delicious and can be used for a wide variety of things. From sauce to toppings to fillings, the pico can be your best friend in the kitchen. It is very easy to make and it is always better fresh. Plus, it has vegetables and fruits in it, so of course it’s a healthy option to add!

The Pico de Gallo can be very useful for several things. This fresh salsa is considered a fresh salsa because it is made with all fresh ingredients. It is usually made fresh for use in the near future.

However, if you are looking for ways to use up some tomatoes and greens, you may want to make it in bulk.

Can pico de gallo be frozen?

Yes, freezing the pico de gallo is an option. However, canning your pico de gallo is an even better option. 

As we go through this guide, we will share with you the process of freezing pico de gallo, as well as the results you can get. Sometimes your beak isn’t the same after you freeze it, so we want you to be aware of that. Alternatively, we will also share information about canning to give you another option.

Read on to learn all about freezing your pico de gallo and much more.

Your guide to conserving the Pico de Gallo

The pico de gallo has its origin in the Spanish culture. It is a very common addition to Mexican cuisine and is also commonly used as a sauce. Pico de gallo is considered a fresh salsa, which simply means that it is made with fresh ingredients. 

The ingredients of the pico de gallo can vary according to your tastes, but ultimately it always contains tomato, onion, salt, lime juice, cilantro and the pepper of your choice. The pico de gallo has chopped fresh ingredients and does not have as much liquid as the regular sauce.

Here are some great uses for pico de gallo:

• • Dip
  • cover your heels
  • Add it to a frittata, quiche or omelet
  • Cover a cheeseburger
  • Mix it with prawns or even prawns
  • Add to quesadillas
  • Use it to fill or cover burritos
  • mix with salad

• Serve it as a garnish or garnish for any dish

The uses of pico de gallo are limitless. Since it is a simple mix of vegetables, you can literally do whatever you want with the mix.

Chances are that when you make fresh pico de gallo, it’s pretty easy to use it all up before you have to worry about it going bad. But we fully understand that you want to make some in bulk and have a way to store it for the long term.

You can freeze your pico de gallo. The consistency may change when thawed. You can also can your pico de gallo as a suitable alternative.

Are pico de gallo and salsa the same?

Although the pico de gallo and the salsa are made with similar ingredients, they are made with different concepts. They can even be used for many of the same things, but in general they are not the same.

They are quite similar. However, there are some notable differences between the two. For example, the sauce is made specifically for dipping. Although it can be used for other things, that was the original intention. The pico was made to be eaten on its own or added to almost any dish. 

Pico de gallo can almost be considered a salad .  The ingredients for the pico de gallo are simply chopped. However, the sauce ingredients are usually chopped much smaller. In particular, the tomatoes. In the case of the sauce, the tomatoes are often blended or crushed rather than simply diced.

The sauce is usually quite liquid because the ingredients are diced small or even mixed together. Pico de gallo usually has minimal liquid that is simply the result of the natural juices of the diced ingredients.

Those are the main differences. Both things are quite similar, but not the same.

The details to freeze the pico de gallo

As far as safety goes, pico de gallo is perfectly safe to eat after freezing. The lime juice used in the mix helps preserve the ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about them going bad as easily.

You can freeze your pico de gallo and it will most likely freeze without a problem.  There is a potential risk that the consistency of fresh ingredients will be affected by the freezing process. Again, the lime juice and salt will most likely protect your beak.

We share this because it is a possibility and we want you to be fully aware that your freeze might not have the desired results.

In this case, we can be sure that the lime juice will greatly contribute to preserving the mixture. Undoubtedly, we can expect the peak to hold up satisfactorily in the freezer as well. If you are prepared to peak and try it, we encourage you to do so.

Here are the instructions for freezing the pico de gallo: 

1. The pico de gallo should be stored under the double-seal method. This means you should either double bag freezer bags or seal your container airtight with a layer of plastic between the spout and the lid.
2. Leave about ½ inch of headspace in your container or storage bags.
3. Be sure to label, date, and seal the spout well to better preserve the ingredients.
4. Store your pico de gallo in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you are going to use the pico de gallo, you just have to take it out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the fridge. It is important to keep it refrigerated for the most part, since the ingredients are fresh fruits and vegetables.

The freezing process must occur within a week of making the fresh pico de gallo. We also think you should know that flavors intensify as they settle, so your pico de gallo may be stronger or spicier when you take it out for use.

A Canning Alternative for Pico de Gallo Storage

If you’re unsure about freezing your pico de gallo or just want an alternative solution, canning is a great option.

Pico de gallo canning is highly recommended and is a great way to store large batches of pico de gallo . Like the sauce, canning is pretty straightforward. You can use a water bath canning method for the pico de gallo.

The instructions that 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, these instructions are also quite useful.

These are the basic instructions: 

1. Prepare your pico de gallo however you like.
2. Preheat your canning jars under hot water or through a rinse cycle in the dishwasher. We recommend pint or half pint jars for this process.
3. Fill jars with pico de gallo, leaving ½-inch headspace at top.
4. Add closures and rims to each jar.
5. Process in a water bath or in a pressure cooker for 15 minutes.
6. Remove and let cool up to 24 hours. Make sure the jars close well.

Canning is another optimal solution to preserve your pico de gallo. Once canned, you must label and date each jar. Your jars should last up to 12 months stored in a cool, dry place.

Related questions

We hope you find this guide to freezing pico de gallo a useful resource to complete your pico conservation tasks. Remember that there are options and if you follow the instructions, you should have a successful save process.

We invite you to review the following section of questions and answers to see if there is additional information that may be useful to you.

Is Pico de Gallo considered healthy?

El Pico is made with fresh ingredients that are considered good for you. The pico de gallo is a low-calorie option. Regardless of how you use it, it is healthy.

We recommend that you be aware of what you use it with or what you use it with, as that could make a difference to the overall health of your food.

Does the Pico de Gallo go bad?

Pico de gallo usually stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week or so.  If you leave it all week, by the end of the week you may notice that the tomatoes are starting to get soft or that the cilantro is a little wilted. At this point, it’s still eatable, but it’s not as pretty.

The good news is that lime juice is a preserving agent and you shouldn’t worry about it going bad. Just make sure that if the beak smells rotten or starts to grow mold, you throw it away.