Want to heat your pico de gallo? Read this article before you do.
You can heat pico de gallo, especially if it comes from the fridge or if you want to serve it warm. But if you cook it or prolong the heating using high heat, you can end up with it turning into a salsa recipe. Cooking will change the fresh flavor and texture of pico de gallo.
So, what are the things you can do? Read on to discover them!
Can You Heat up Pico de Gallo?
Can you heat pico de gallo? Yes, you can, especially if it comes from the fridge and you want to serve it hot or at least warm. It may be safe to say that people prefer their food warm whether it’s a dip or not.
Heating your pico de gallo will help kill any bacteria that might be lurking in it. Do note, however, that if it comes from the fridge and is stored at the right temperature of 40 °F (4 °C). This is the ideal temperature for vegetables and fruits that have been cut (source: CDC).
Your pico de gallo shouldn’t be outside of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. Bacteria will grow in temperatures between 40 °F to 140 °F (4 °C to 60 °C) (source: USDA). So if you want to heat it, do it no longer than 2 hours after you take it out of the fridge.
If your pico de gallo isn’t from the fridge and you just want to heat it, you always can. But remember that fresh tomatoes are watery. And water is a vehicle for bacterial growth so the same rule applies here as above.
Speaking of tomatoes being watery, if you heat your fresh pico de gallo, this might make the tomatoes sweat and therefore release the water content. This can cause changes in the texture of your pico de gallo and make it more watery.
Heating can also change the taste of the pico de gallo because you are technically slightly cooking it which is originally meant to be served fresh.
Ways of Cooking Pico de Gallo
Originally, authentic pico de gallo uses fresh ingredients and is served fresh (source: Master Class). You can heat it, but its texture and taste can be affected. You can use the microwave to heat it, as well as the pan.
If you decide to cook pico de gallo, you can cook it in many different ways according to your preference. But it will no longer taste like the original. In fact, it can now be called salsa.
If you add ingredients to pico de gallo and cook it, it will also become a different dish. But leftover pico de gallo, even fresh ones, can be used as a side to grilled meat, fish, vegetables, burger, guacamole, and even scrambles eggs or omelets.
Heating pico de gallo will alter its texture and bright flavor. Cooking it will change them all the more. If you want to preserve the taste and texture of it or get them to be the closest it can be, refrigerate it if you’re not serving it.
Fresh pico de gallo should keep for 3–7 days. But the longer you store it, the more the quality declines.
Pico de gallo is one of the most versatile Mexican dishes. You can eat it alone, serve it as a classic side dish, add ingredients to make a new delicious dish, and of course, use it as a dip or fresh sauce.
At the end of the day, you can eat it or serve it any way you want, but we recommend making sure you are preparing it safely. We hope you found this helpful!
