Savory Strawberry Salsa (Fruit Pico de Gallo)

by Yvette Marquez on April 17, 2021 (updated June 5, 2024)

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 5-ingredient Strawberry Salsa recipe, this fruit pico de gallo is sweet, spicy, and savory—perfect for spooning over grilled meat or scooping up with tortilla chips.

overhead shot of a red bowl filled with strawberry salsa on a green woven placemat on a white table.

Ever since my trip to the California strawberry fields, I have been obsessed with this recipe for strawberry salsa. Up until then, I always thought that strawberries were best used in sweet, dessert-y applications (like my strawberry shortcakes), and I never even considered using them for something savory.

It turns out that my favorite spring fruit is actually perfectly suited to more than a life of drinks and desserts. When paired with spicy jalapeño, piquant red onion, tart lime, and fresh cilantro, juicy strawberries take on a persona you haven’t seen before.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Fruit Pico De Gallo Recipe

This simple strawberry pico de gallo is made with just a handful of fresh ingredients: jalapeños, strawberries, lime juice, cilantro, red onion, and salt. It’s naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and vegan, so pretty much everyone can get in on the tasty action!
It’s sweet and spicy, tart and juicy, and positively bursting with the flavors of spring.
It’s deliciously versatile—I love it over fish, chicken, and skirt steak, or as a simple appetizer with tortilla chips.
This super simple salsa recipe takes just a few minutes of prep time.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

a red container of fresh strawberries, a bunch of fresh cilantro, a quarter of a red onion, a whole fresh jalapeño, and a halved lime on a white table ready to make savory strawberry salsa like a fruit pico de gallo.

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy fruit salsa. Here’s what to grab:

Jalapeño Pepper – For a touch of heat. If you’re spice averse, make sure to remove the seeds and white membranes before adding them to the salsa.
Strawberries – Fresh, in-season strawberries are the heart of this recipe. I recommend you give the clamshell a sniff—the more fragrant they are, the tastier they’ll be.
Red Onion – I love the mildly sweet flavor and gorgeous magenta hue of red onions, but you can swap in white or sweet yellow onions in a pinch.
Fresh Cilantro – For a pop of bright, herbaceous goodness. Not a fan of cilantro? Try using flat-leaf parsley instead.
Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice tastes far superior to bottled. To get the most from your fruit, roll them firmly on your countertop for 10-15 seconds before slicing open.
Salt – A touch of salt helps awaken all the flavors in this vibrant pico de gallo fruta.

How To Make Strawberry Salsa

If you’re a fan of easy recipes, this one’s for you!

Step 1: Wash & Prep your produce. Remove the root ends of the strawberries and roughly chop them. Remove the root end of the jalapeño and remove the seeds and membranes. Remember that these areas are filled with capsaicin (the compound that makes chiles taste “hot”), so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face or using the restroom. Peel and dice your onion. Roughly chop your cilantro.

Step 2: Toss. Add all the chopped ingredients to a bowl. Toss with lime juice and season with salt to taste. That’s it! So simple, right? Now enjoy!

chopped strawberries, jalapeños, and red onions added to a red mixing-slash-serving bowl for making pico de gallo-style salsa.

Optional Variations

This recipe has not been tested with all of these substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

Extra Spicy – Feel free to amp up the heat by leaving the jalapeño seeds and membranes intact. You can also add more jalapeño, or swap in slightly spicier serrano peppers instead.
Add More Fruit – Mango strawberry salsa or pineapple strawberry salsa are both delightful! You could also make a creamy strawberry avocado salsa if you like.

Serving & Topping Suggestions

Equal parts salad and salsa, this easy strawberry salsa recipe makes a perfectly refreshing side dish and is lovely atop grilled meat—especially steak, chicken, or fish. Want a vegetarian option? Add it to a simple black bean burrito bowl. It’s also delicious when served with tortilla chips or even just a spoon!

hand using a tortilla chip to scoop up spicy, savory strawberry pico de gallo salsa.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Use fresh, fragrant, in-season strawberries for the best, brightest flavor. They’re at their peak from about late March through June.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw jalapeños. Trust me: you don’t want to accidentally touch your eyes.

Storage Instructions

This fresh strawberry salsa is best served within about 4 hours of making it.
Any leftovers will keep in a lidded container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is strawberry salsa sweet or spicy?

It depends on the recipe! I’ve seen some recipes for strawberry salsa that look more like dessert—they’re tossed with honey and mint, then served with cinnamon sugar chips or buñuelos. This particular strawberry pico de gallo showcases the natural sweetness of berries, but is punctuated by spicy jalapeño peppers.

What is the difference between pico de gallo and salsa?

Pico de Gallo is also sometimes called salsa fresco and is part of the larger family of salsas. Pico de gallo is a chunky style salsa that is typically dressed with lime and salt. This pico de gallo style strawberry salsa is chunky, fresh and delicious, highlighting all the best distinct flavors of the ingredients.

Can I make strawberry salsa ahead of time?

Strawberries have a tendency to macerate rather quickly, which renders them quite soft. For the best consistency, I recommend making this strawberry pico de gallo no more than four hours ahead of time. That said, any leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to two days.

Is strawberry pico de gallo healthy?

Absolutely! Packed with the goodness of fresh strawberries, onions and jalapeños and with no added sugar or oil, this is about as bright and clean of a condiment that you can get!

More Mexican Strawberry Recipes

If you made this recipe for Pico de Gallo-Style Strawberry Salsa, please do me the honor of rating and reviewing it below! And if you happen to post pics of your tasty creation to Instagram, don’t forget to tag me (@muybuenocooking) so I can see!