What Is the Difference Between Salsa & Picante Sauce?

Tomatoes and peppers are used in making salsa.

The popularity of Mexican cuisine has spread across the United States. Many Americans like to spice up everyday foods using salsa, picante and pico de gallo sauces. There is a difference between these condiments.

Tomatoes and Peppers

Salsa is a combination of finely chopped tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers and spices. It is usually mild and can be added to a number of dishes as a condiment.

Picante Sauce

"Picante" means hot or spicy. Picante sauce is hot sauce made from ground chili peppers. Picante sauce can be added to salsa or other dishes to make it more spicy.

Picante Salsa

Pace brand salsa carries a product that says "picante" on the label; that means it is the hot style of their salsa, as opposed to mild salsa.

Pico de Gallo

Pico de gallo is a condiment much like salsa, except the vegetables are chopped a bit more coarsely, and the herb cilantro is added with a dash of lemon or lime juice. Picante sauce can also be added to pico de gallo to add heat.

Origins of Salsa

Salsa originated with the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans who used the combination of tomatoes, chili peppers and herbs on meat dishes.

Popularity

In the year 2000, salsa replaced ketchup as the favorite condiment in the United States. The word "salsa" simply means "sauce".

References

• Room Service USA: The History of Salsa Sauce
• The Nibble: The History of Salsa