Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo is a made from scratch salsa that is loaded with bold flavors from jalapeño, lime, cilantro, and juicy chunks of tomato and onion.  One dip will certainly not be enough and you will be scraping the bottom of the bowl in no time!

For a more traditional salsa recipes try Best Blender Salsa, Slow Cooker Restaurant Style Garden Salsa or Restaurant style salsa.

Pico de Gallo

Do you ever get so full from an appetizer that you aren’t even hungry when it comes time for the meal?  That is definitely a risk you take when making this incredible homemade pico!  This recipe creates such a fresh, vibrant, and chunky salsa!  We love salsa at my house and are not afraid of a little spice.  The jalapenos give this pico a little kick without being too much!

This is definitely the best salsa I have ever made!  It is a huge hit at my house!  We pile it on our tortilla chips as high as possible!  One batch isn’t enough so I usually at least double the recipe and set two bowls of it out.  It is better than any restaurant pico I have had and I love that I can make it at home whenever I am craving it!

What’s in Pico de Gallo?

A good pico de gallo will usually always have the same basic ingredients.  To be certain, those ingredients will always be fresh.  Since there is no cooking involved, the raw ingredients will make or break your pico.  So, select the freshest ingredients possible!

• Roma tomatoes: Adds sweet and tangy flavor.
• Onion: A white onion is the best in this salsa because of its sharp taste and slightly more tender texture.
• Jalapeno: For a little spice!
• Cilantro: A classic flavor in any delicious salsa!
• Lime Juice: Adds a bit of acidity and bright fresh citrus flavor.
• Salt: To taste.

Easy to Make Salsa!

Quick and easy pico de gallo is so simple to make from scratch at home.  In fact, this fresh, uncooked mixture of fantastic ingredients can be prepared in just minutes.  First, dice up your ingredients, then combine them together and its ready to be enjoyed!

1. Dice Ingredients: Tomatoes, onion, jalapeno need to be diced evenly and roughly chop the cilantro.
2. Combine ingredients: In a medium sized bowl combine tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and juice of one lime. Add salt to taste.
3. Serve!

 

 

Tips for the Best Pico de Gallo:

Pico de gallo is so chunky and flavorful and if you follow the recipe as written you will have a hit on your hands!  However, you may want to experiment with these variations of this family favorite to make it even more unique to you!

• Add garlic:  Finely chop 1-2 cloves of garlic and add them into the pico for more depth of flavor.
• Fruit: Add in different types of fruit along with or instead of the tomato.  For example mango or peaches.
• Spice it up: Leave a few seeds from the jalapeno in to increase the spice level to your preference.
• Onion: Use a red onion instead of the white onion for more sweetness and crunch plus great color!
• Texture: Another great version of this pico includes red bell peppers and avocado in the ingredients.  The peppers provide a great crunch and the avocado is a fantastic creamy element.
• Easy prep: If you are short on time or don’t care for chopping up your ingredients, they can be bought already diced at the store.

Can You Make Pico de Gallo Ahead?

Pico de Gallo will store well if you pack it tightly in an airtight container.   Properly stored it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week or the freezer for 1-2 months.  Actually, the flavors will get better as they sit and the juices come together.  Make this one or even two days ahead of time for the best flavors.  However, when you smell the delicious fresh ingredients as you are mixing this pico together, you will find it is hard to wait!!

More Salsa Dip Recipes:

• Pineapple Salsa
• 5 Minute Mango Salsa
• Individual Seven Layer Dip
• Mango Lime Avocado Salsa
• California Avocado Dip (Salsa)

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Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo is a made from scratch salsa that is loaded with bold flavors from jalapeno, lime, cilantro, and juicy chunks of tomato and onion.  One dip will certainly not be enough and you will be scraping the bottom of the bowl in no time!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword pico de gallo, pico de gallo salsa

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 8 People

Calories 12kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 4 roma tomatoes chopped
• 1 medium white onion chopped
• 1 jalapeno diced
• 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
• juice from one lime
• salt to taste

Instructions

• In a medium sized bowl combine tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and juice of one lime. Add salt to taste and serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 311IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

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Piña Colada

This Pina Colada is a sweet, creamy, frozen drink bursting with fruity flavors from pineapple and coconut.  The flavors are so vibrant that they will transport you from your porch to a lounge chair at a tropical beach!

Summertime is the perfect time of year for quick and easy frozen refreshments like this pina colada.  Try Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Peach Cooler, or Chic Fil A Copycat Frosted Lemonade for more sweet drink recipes you’ll fall in love with!

Pina Colada

On summer days the best way to beat the heat is with a cold, refreshing drink.  Mix fun lemonades and play around with sparkling limeades.  This creamy frozen pina colada has to be my all time favorite though!  The coconut and pineapple combine to make the perfect fruity flavor.  These are flavors your family will love and they just don’t get old!!

This frozen delight is great as an after dinner treat or as a late afternoon perk up.  It is so easy to make that there is no wrong time to mix one up!  Simply toss your ingredients in the blender and in a few minutes your smooth, tropical drink is ready!  I could drink this dreamy treat every day!

What’s In a Pina Colada?

The ingredients this pina colada are easy to find and easy to store.  When blended together their flavors remind me of a warm beach vacation!  Keep these items on hand to ensure you can have a taste of summer any day of the week!

• Cream of Coconut: Different varieties may be confusing.  You need cream of coconut, not coconut cream or coconut milk.  This will make your drink creamy and give that amazing coconut flavor.
• Pineapple juice: Save time and use a canned!
• Ice: Adding the ice makes this a frozen drink.  Blend well so your drink is creamy not icy.
• Frozen Pineapple chunks: Use fresh pineapple and freeze it yourself.  Freezing canned pineapple will work too but may be overly sweet.  Store bought frozen pineapple may lack flavor.

How to Make a Pina Colada:

Mixing up a pina colada is so quick and easy and impossible to mess up!  Grab your ingredients and blend until creamy.  It takes just minutes to create this cold refreshing drink, and you and your family are sure to love it!

1. Fill the blender: In a blender add cream of coconut, pineapple juice, ice, and pineapple chunks.
2. Blend: Allow ingredients to blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Enjoy!

Variations of the Pina Colada:

A great way to relax without ever having to leave your back porch is to whip up this sweet drink.  It smells so delicious and the cold, creamy texture is heavenly!

• Garnish: Add whipped cream to the top of your drink for an extra sweet and smooth drink.
• Super sweet: To make your pina colada even more sweet, add cherry syrup.  It will give a more dynamic flavor too!
• Alcohol: Add a splash of rum to turn this into an adult beverage.
• Lime Juice: Try putting some lime juice in the mix.  The vibrant citrus-y lime flavor will add a special hint of lime that will set your drink apart from all other pina colada’s you have had!

Recipe Critic Pro Tip:

Presentation of this tropical drink is half of the fun! Use a unique glass and garnish with maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge for the full experience of the pina colada.

Can you Freeze Pineapple?

Luckily, frozen pineapple freezes very well and can stay good for 1-2 months.  Freeze fresh pineapple in large batches and save yourself time later when you are craving a pina colada.

• Do not freeze in the can: If you are using canned pineapple you will want to be sure to remove it from the can before freezing.
• Pre-Freeze: You want each pineapple to be frozen individually, not in chunks.  The best way to do this is to lay them out on a baking sheet that’s lined in wax paper and freeze for about an hour.  Then, remove the frozen pineapple from the freezer and transfer to a freezer-safe bag until you are ready to use.
• Pineapple cubes: Use an ice cubes tray to freeze pineapple before moving cubes into a freezer safe storage bag.

More Refreshing Drinks:

• Brazilian Lemonade
• Easy Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade
• Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade
• Easy Sparkling Raspberry Limeade
• Watermelon Lemonade

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Pina Colada

This Pina Colada is a sweet, creamy, frozen drink bursting with fruity flavors from pineapple and coconut.  The flavors are so vibrant that they will transport you from your porch to a lounge chair at a tropical beach!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Caribbean

Keyword pina colada

Servings 4 Drinks

Calories 332kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream of coconut I used Coco Lopez
• 4 ounces pineapple juice
• 2 cups ice
• 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks

Instructions

• In a blender add cream of coconut, pineapple juice, ice, and pineapple chunks. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Notes

*Alcohol optional 1/4 cup rum 

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 36mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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Brown Sugar Grilled Peaches

Brown sugar grilled peaches are a summertime delight. Ripe peaches are lightly charred on the barbecue then sprinkled with a sweet spiced topping that transforms into a glaze. Perfect as a quick dessert or add it to a fresh salad. 

Peaches are delicious and a summertime fruit I love. Try these tasty peach recipes like this Peach Crisp, The Best Homemade Peach Pie or Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler. 

Brown sugar grilled peaches

If you’re already planning a barbecue feast, why not make dessert right on the grill too! Peaches are ripe and in abundance during the summer, making for a delicious dessert. The stone fruit is brushed with butter, then grilled until gorgeous charred marks appear. A brown sugar spice mix is sprinkled on top and warmed until a sticky glaze clings to the fruit. 

How do you make brown sugar grilled peaches?

• Cut the peaches into quarters or halves depending on the size.
• Brush the peaches with melted butter.
• Grill the peaches cut side down over medium heat until dark lines appear.
• Flip the peaches over, sprinkle with brown sugar and spices. Drizzle some butter on top.
• Cook until a glaze forms on top of the grilled peaches.

How ripe should the peaches be for grilling?

The peaches should feel firm, but slightly give when lightly pressed with your fingertips. You don’t want the peaches to be rock hard or too soft and juicy. Hard peaches won’t have much flavor and taste crunchy, while overripe will turn to mush and fall apart when grilled. 

Why do you grill the peaches first?

The peaches contain natural sugars, so it’s important to brush butter over the cut surface. This prevents the peaches from sticking too much to the grill. The hot grates will develop beautiful char marks when not moved for a few minutes. You can also use a grill pan for this recipe. I wait to add on the brown sugar because it can burn easily and stick to the barbecue if sprinkled too soon on the fruit. 

How do you make a tasty brown sugar topping?

To enhance the sweetness of the fruit you can sprinkle some brown sugar on top as it cooks. I also added some bold spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to give warm baked aromas and flavors to the topping. Some salt gives a salted caramel flavor when dissolved. Make sure to drizzle a little bit of the melted butter on top so that the brown sugar quickly turns into a glaze as it warms on the grill. 

Ways to enjoy the grilled peaches

After grilling, eat it as is for a sweet treat, or serve it some vanilla ice cream. I love how it melts onto the warm fruit! The peaches can be refrigerated and chopped up for oatmeal, pancakes, or waffles for breakfast. You can also add the grilled fruit to salads. I like to serve it sliced up with my creamy classic coleslaw to add some sweetness. 

Looking for more grilling recipes? Try these!

• Grilled Caesar Salad
• Grilled Flank Steak with Asian Marinade
• Teriyaki Beef Skewers
• Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
• Grilled Citrus Salmon

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Brown Sugar Grilled Peaches

Brown sugar grilled peaches are a summertime delight. Ripe peaches are lightly charred on the barbecue then sprinkled with a sweet spiced topping that transforms into a glaze. Perfect as a quick dessert or add it to a fresh salad. 

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword brown sugar grilled peaches, brown sugar peaches, grilled peaches

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 16 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 52kcal

Author Jessica Gavin

Ingredients

• 2 large peaches or 4 small
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

• In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.
• Cut the peaches into quarters and remove the pit. For small peaches, cut into halves.
• Brush the butter over the cut sides of the peaches.
• Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium heat. Make sure to clean the grill grates and grease with vegetable oil.
• Once the grill is hot, place the peaches cut side down and cook until grill marks are achieved, about 2 minutes. Grill the other cut side of the peach for 2 minutes.
• Flip the peaches over and sprinkle the surface with the brown sugar-spice mixture. Drizzle some of the melted butter on top to help melt the sugar.
• Cook until the sugar turns into a glaze and the peaches are soft, about 2 minutes. If desired, sprinkle on more brown sugar topping.
• Transfer peaches to a serving dish, enjoy with a scoop of ice cream or serve with a salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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Grilled Portobello Burgers

Grilled Portobello Burgers are delicious, meaty and savory marinated portobello mushrooms, grilled to perfection and stacked in a soft toasted bun!  Quick and easy to grill, these mushrooms are so impressive and will become a new family favorite!

Portobello mushrooms are an amazing ingredient that will be the star of any recipe.  Try Grilled Honey Balsamic Portobello Mushrooms or Southwest Sausage and Egg Stuffed Portobello Mushroom for more of the intense portobello flavor created with simple to follow recipes.

Grilled Portobello Burgers

Grilled Portobello Burgers are so satisfying!  They have all the delicious meaty texture you would expect from a burger plus the savory and tangy taste of the marinated mushroom is just right. After they soak in the marinade, the mushrooms are so tender and flavorful.  Layer them with cheese and extra veggies then top with a soft toasted bun for the perfect vegetarian burger!

Portobello mushrooms are super easy to grill because they grill so quickly!  In just 5 minutes per side, they make a quick and amazing dinner.  The flavor from the smoky grill enhances their incredible taste and makes them irresistible!  This recipe is a MUST try dinner your family will go crazy over.

Burger Ingredients:

These ingredients come together to make the most amazing savory marinade.  The flavors absorb all throughout this portobello burger making it juicy and tender.  It tastes so amazing and is an easy meal for your family to enjoy any night of the week!

• Olive oil: Seeps into the skin and takes the marinade flavors into the mushroom as it sits.
• Melted Butter: Rich flavor that soaks in with the marinade.
• Garlic Cloves: Minced
• Balsamic vinegar: An acidic ingredient that will help tenderize the portobello mushroom.
• Soy sauce: Savory liquid flavoring in the marinade.
• Honey: Adds a bit of sweetness to the marinade.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste!
• Hamburger Buns: Toast the bun for a couple of minutes on the grill to create the perfect texture.
• Optional Toppings: Cheese, arugula, tomato, red onion, mayonnaise

Grilling Mushrooms:

Grilled portobello burgers are super easy to make!  Whisk together the marinade and in just 10 minutes you are ready to grill.  In less than 30 minutes you can have dinner on the table!  The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for a quick weeknight meal, but it is impressive enough to choose when entertaining too!

1. Whisk: In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, butter, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and salt and pepper.
2. Prepare mushrooms: Prepare portobello mushrooms by gently removing stem from the mushrooms. Using a spoon scrape out the gills. Set the mushrooms in a 9×13 inch pan.
3. Marinate mushrooms: Add the marinade and soak for 10 minutes.
4. Grill: Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Place the mushrooms on the grilled grill each side for 5 minutes.
5. Serve: Remove from grill and put on a bun with favorite toppings.

How to Serve Mushroom Burgers:

Grilled portobello mushroom burgers can be plated as a sandwich complete with bun and side.  In burger form, it makes the perfect vegetarian option at a cook out.  Or, put the marinated portobello on top of a regular ground beef burger for mega flavor!  Another great way to serve your grilled portobello mushroom is as a steak with no bun for a tasty low-carb and meatless version.

• • Great sides: Fries are a classic choice with any burger and this portobello burger is no exception! Garlic Sweet Potato fries are my favorite!
  • Toppings: Cheese, arugula, tomato, red onion, and mayonnaise are great toppings to start with!
  • Sauce: Spread pesto or garlic aioli all over your toasted bun or your make your favorite dipping sauce.
  • Cheese: Different types of cheese will give this burger a different personality. A sharp cheddar would be fantastic but really any melting cheese gives this burger the perfect ooey gooey element it needs.
  • Double stack: Double stack the mushrooms with an extra layer of cheese for a more hearty burger that will satisfy even the biggest appetite.

Storing Portobello Burgers:

This family favorite is easy to store for amazing leftovers!  Once the mushrooms have cooled completely store in an air tight container or resealable plastic bag within 2 hours.  They will be good for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.  If you don’t plan to eat the leftovers right way, the best way to save these is in the freezer.  By storing them in the freezer, they are able to be used for up to a year!

• To thaw: The best method of thawing is in the refrigerator overnight.  However, if you are in a rush you can thaw them in cold water or in the microwave.  If you thaw in the refrigerator you have 3 to 4 days to use them.  When doing a quick thaw use immediately and to not re-freeze.

More Mushroom Recipes to Try:

• Garlic Balsamic Mushrooms
• The Best Mushroom Risotto
• Honey Balsamic Garlic Mushrooms
• Garlic Mushroom Noodles
• Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Bacon Chicken

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Grilled Portobello Burgers

Grilled Portobello Burgers are delicious, meaty and savory marinated portobello mushrooms, grilled to perfection and stacked in a soft toasted bun!  Quick and easy to grill, these mushrooms are so impressive and will become a new family favorite!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword burgers, grilled burger, grilled portobello burgers, portobello burger

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 4 Burgers

Calories 210kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon Melted Butter
• 2 Garlic Cloves minced
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• salt and pepper
• portobello mushroom
• 4 hamburger buns

Optional Toppings:

• cheese
• arugula
• tomato
• red onion
• mayonnaise

Instructions

• In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, butter, garlic, soy sauce, honey, salt and pepper.
• Prepare portobello mushrooms by gently removing stem from the mushrooms. Using a spoon scrape out the gills. Set the mushrooms in a 9x13 inch pan. Add the marinade and soak for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Place the mushrooms on the grilled grill each side for 5 minutes. Remove from grill and put on a bun with favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg

 

 

 

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