Applebee's Pico de Gallo - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

Applebee’s Pico de Gallo is a delicious fresh Mexican salsa served on so many of their dishes. It’s great on tacos, black beans, grilled chicken, scrambled eggs, and so much more. The possibilities are endless for this low-calorie dish!

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Applebee’s Grill and Bar

Applebee’s is a fun place to go. They serve all sorts of fun and creative drinks, and they also make some of the best appetizers around.

This really is a true neighborhood bar. I think that you will enjoy many of the items on the menu. They serve a lot of dishes with pico de Gallo.

Pico de Gallo

You might wonder, “What is pico de gallo? Is it the same thing as salsa?” The answer: It is a type of salsa, but it has its own characteristics. It is a low-calorie relish that you can add to so many foods. I enjoy pico de gallo on scrambled eggs, tacos, nachos, and many more dishes.

What’s the secret to making great pico de gallo? Fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients make all of the difference.

Go for those very ripe tomatoes, the ones that are bright red and almost a little too soft. Fresh jalapenos for some heat. And onions, either white onions or red onions. I find yellow onions to be a little too hot for me.

You want to make pico de gallo a couple of hours ahead of time before using it. Ideally, I the night before. This way, the flavors will mingle and bring out the best that all of the ingredients have together.

I hope you enjoy this quick and fresh-tasting salsa that you can enjoy with many of your other favorite dishes.

What makes Applebee’s pico de Gallo so good?

The vibrant flavor of this homemade pico de gallo has the piquancy you’re looking for. When you allow time for it to marinate, the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and vinegar soak into the other ingredients.

It has a pleasant, chunky texture due to the tomato, onion, and pepper pieces. And the cilantro gives it the authentic pico de gallo feel.

There’s a reason why Applebee’s serves this pico de gallo with tortilla chips and so many dishes – it is extremely enticing, versatile, and succulent.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Made with fresh and natural components, this dish is full of nutrients and has a refreshing taste. The blend of spicy, zesty, and savory flavors will add a delicious twist to any meal.

This recipe can also be scaled up for parties – simply double the ingredients! Serve it alongside your favorite chips and guacamole, or use it as a topping for a taco bar. Your guests are sure to love the taste of Applebee’s in your home.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make this pico de gallo recipe:

• Tomatoes
• Onion
• Jalapenos
• Cilantro
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil
• White vinegar

3 tips for choosing the perfect tomatoes

• Examine their color. For best results, use tomatoes with a deep red color rather than pale ones. Their color is a good indicator of their ripeness.
• Check their firmness. They shouldn’t be super hard, but rather, if you gently squeeze them, they should have some tenderness.
• Choose a variety that isn’t too watery. You don’t want the tomatoes to instantly turn mushy. Roma (plum) tomatoes are best, but grape, globe, or San Marzano are all great options, too. Even beefsteak tomatoes work if you plan on eating it immediately after it marinates.

How to make pico de Gallo

There are only a few easy steps for making this Applebee’s copycat recipe:

1. Put all of the pico de gallo ingredients into a large bowl or container.

2. Mix them until they’re thoroughly blended.
3. Allow the mixture to rest for 6 hours minimum or overnight.

What to serve Applebee’s pico de gallo with

Try serving this with fajitas, nachos, shrimp or chicken bowls, Mexican rice, or Applebee’s quesadillas, similar to what you might enjoy at the restaurant. However, don’t let that limit you – feel free to use it as a topping or side for anything you’d like!

For example, try it on omelettes, avocado toast, or salad. You can also mix it into burritos, enchiladas, or even mac and cheese to add a little extra flavor to your meals.

How to store the leftovers

Transfer any extra pico de gallo to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

How long does it last?

With fresh pico de gallo, it is best to enjoy it within 2-3 days of making it.

More Applebee’s copycat recipes

• Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp
• Bourbon Street Steak
• Chicken Wonton Tacos
• Fiesta Lime Chicken
• Flamin Hot Cheetos Wings
• French Onion Soup
• Oriental Fried Chicken Salad
• Quesadilla Burger
• Queso Blanco
• Spinach Artichoke Dip

Enjoy salsa? Try these recipes!

• Chili’s Salsa
• Chipotle Corn Salsa
• Pappasito’s Salsa

Check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes on CopyKat!