1. 1. Prepare the ingredients: Gather 4 medium ripe tomatoes, 1 small red onion, 1 jalapeño pepper, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1 lime, salt, and black pepper.

1. 1. Dice the tomatoes: Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and remove the stems. Dice the tomatoes into small pieces and place them in a mixing bowl.

1. 1. Finely chop the onion: Peel the red onion and finely chop it. Add the chopped onion to the mixing bowl with the diced tomatoes.

1. 1. Seed and chop the jalapeño: Cut the jalapeño pepper in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes to reduce the spiciness. Finely chop the jalapeño and add it to the mixing bowl.

1. 1. Chop the cilantro: Rinse the fresh cilantro and chop it finely, including the stems. Add the chopped cilantro to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.

1. 1. Juice the lime: Cut the lime in half and squeeze out the juice. Add the lime juice to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.

1. 1. Season with salt and pepper: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper over the ingredients in the mixing bowl.

1. 1. Mix well: Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly coated with lime juice, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Taste and adjust seasoning: Taste the Pico de Gallo and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed to suit your taste preferences.

1. 1. Serve and enjoy: Transfer the Pico de Gallo to a serving bowl and serve it immediately as a refreshing and healthy topping for tacos, grilled meats, or tortilla chips.

1. 1. Store any leftovers: If you have any leftover Pico de Gallo, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Enjoy your homemade healthy Pico de Gallo!