Wondering what to do with leftover Pico de Gallo that you have at hand?
Here’s a quick list of some of the best ideas to use up that delicious Mexican salsa in your recipes and culinary creations.
Pico de Gallo is an absolute riot of flavor and freshness, and is a super versatile dish that you can put to use in lots of different ways.
I’ve recently been on a roll, and have tried quite a few variations to the classic Pico de Gallo.
I’m all about fruits, which is why I whipped up not just one, but two versions of fruit Pico de Gallo- a mango Pico de Gallo and a pineapple Pico de Gallo.
You can also try making a simple cucumber Pico de Gallo or a cabbage Pico de Gallo when you’re looking for something more refreshing and easy.
I always tend to go a teeny bit overboard when I make my batch of this fresh salsa, and that’s when I get creative, looking for ways to use up all those leftovers.
What to Do With Leftover Pico de Gallo
Freshly made Pico de Gallo is a delicious mix of fresh tomatoes, onion, lime juice and other add ons for flavor.
If you have some leftovers that you don’t want to waste, here are a few good ways to use them up.
As a Topping
This delicious and healthy condiment can be a wonderful topping for your eggs, morning toast or pretty much any subtly flavored dish that needs that kick of flavor and a bit of texture.
I also love using it as a topping on my homemade sweet potato fries with some sliced jalapenos and chopped cilantro.
With Nachos
Just like your traditional red salsa, Pico de Gallo is a great condiment or dip to serve with your nachos and tortilla chips.
The freshness from all the ingredients pairs well with the crunchy texture of the chips. In my opinion, this one’s the easiest way to use up leftover Pico de Gallo without putting in too much effort.
On Tacos
My favorite way to serve Pico is to top it over my taco with some sour cream or guacamole.
You can also mix Pico de Gallo with some chopped avocado, add some lime juice to taste, and use it as a taco topping on some when you’re looking to keep it vegan.
With Grilled Foods
Pico de Gallo is the perfect accompaniment to grilled foods of all kinds. I love pairing it with some grilled chicken and grilled vegetables too. They have a certain bright acidity that pairs well with smoky and char flavors of grilled meats.
With Other Mexican Dishes
Fresh Pico de Gallo is the perfect Mexican condiment to team up with your quesadillas, tacos and burritos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes.
Their fresh and zesty flavor makes them great to pair with a variety of dishes.
With Rice
You can actually use the leftover Pico de Gallo to whip up a quick rice dish too. Simply toss in some pre-cooked rice and season it with some salt and lime to make a healthy and flavorful lunch or dinner ready in minutes.
This Pico de Gallo rice is ideally made using white rice, but you can, of course, try some other variations too.
In Soups
Never thought I’d say this, but the freshness of the ingredients from the Pico de Gallo complement just about any kind of recipe, which is why you can also use up the leftovers to make a delicious soup or a stew.
Simply add Pico de Gallo to your tortilla soup or any other Mexican inspired soup recipe, and you won’t be disappointed.
Also Read: Corn Pico de Gallo
In Pasta Sauce
Pico de Gallo is incredibly versatile, which makes it a great addition to your homemade pasta sauce too.
Essentially, this Mexican salsa is made with chopped tomatoes, onions and a few other seasonings, which is why you can add it to your homemade marinara or even a simple butter based sauce to jazz it up a bit.
In a Breakfast Burrito
Another great way to use leftover Pico de Gallo is to use it for your breakfast or brunch dishes. I love adding it to my breakfast burritos and quesadillas, and I think its flavors can be a great addition to your omelet and frittata.
In Sandwiches
You can actually use those leftovers to whip up a quick sandwich or add them to your existing sandwich.
In fact, I think Pico de Gallo is best used as a topping for your homemade pizzas too!
As a Garnish
You can also try adding some Pico de Gallo as a garnish on your quinoa or pasta salads.
It brings a bright acidity and nice bit of crispiness from the fresh veggies, which makes it a beautiful garnish for just about anything.
As a Marinade
Freshly made Pico de Gallo makes an excellent marinade or rub for your meats too! All you need to do is combine Pico de Gallo with some olive oil, vinegar and some seasonings of your choice and use it as a rub for your chicken or any other meats.
You’ll want to let the meat soak up all the deliciousness for at least a few hours before you get grilling!
How to Store Leftover Pico de Gallo?
While I would recommend using up that delicious Pico de Gallo while it is at its peak freshness, there can be a good chance you still have some leftovers that you want to preserve.
The best way to do that is to refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day. And if you’re wondering if you can freeze Pico de Gallo, I’ve put together a detailed post about just that too!
