Pineapple Salsa Recipe

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This pineapple salsa recipe makes a sweet and fresh appetizer for any occasion.

Pineapple salsa is perfect for parties or as a side at your next Mexican meal. It’s easy to make, has tons of sweetness and spicy flavor, and tastes delicious. Pair it with some zucchini or tortilla chips.

What Is Pineapple Salsa?

Pineapple salsa is exactly what the name indicates. Salsa made with pineapple. It’s made like any other salsa but offers a sweetness that tomato-based salsas don’t typically have. It’s a wonderfully refreshing chip dip on a hot summer day!

Where Does Pineapple Grow?

I’ve seen videos all over social media on how to grow your own pineapple plant. But the truth is, these plants need a certain climate to really thrive and produce. For this reason, most of the pineapple grown in the US is grown in either Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Pineapple grown outside the US comes from Latin America or West Africa.

Can I Add Pineapple To Store Bought Salsa?

Absolutely! Although, I would opt for a chunky salsa so that the textures are at least somewhat similar. If you add chunks of pineapple to a smoothly blended salsa, the texture just won’t feel right.

What Spices Compliment Pineapple?

Not specific to the recipe below, there are quite a few spices that go well with pineapple. The best of which are:

• Cilantro
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Mint

How To Use Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple salsa is wonderful served as an appetizer with chips. But you can also enhance many dishes using this salsa. Here are some ideas:

• Fish tacos
• Burrito bowl
• Fajitas (chicken or steak)
• Salmon filet garnish
• Chicken tacos
• Pork chops
• Salad
• Snacks – Serve as a spicy side salad in a small container. Great for lunchboxes!

Recipe Tips

1. Protection – Make sure to use gloves when cutting serrano or jalapeño peppers.
2. Spicy Salsa – If you want your recipe to be spicy, leave the seeds when cutting the peepers.
3. Mild Salsa – To make your salsa milder, remove some or all the seeds before slicing or mincing the peppers. You can also use less pepper than the recipe calls for.

Recipe Variations

• Not a fan of pineapple? Use mango instead for delicious mango salsa. Many other fresh fruits will work here as well. Get creative!
• Add chopped avocado (not guacamole)
• Use fresh basil instead of cilantro.
• Seriously increase the level of spiciness by using a ghost pepper.
• Try lemon juice instead of lime juice
• Add black beans
• Add cooked shrimp. Either use the small salad shrimp or chop bigger shrimp for the best texture.

What Is Pineapple Salsa Made Of?

Pineapple salsa can be made in many ways and with many variations (see examples above). But for this particular recipe, these are the ingredients you’ll be using.

Pineapple – Look for a fresh, sweet pineapple that is juicy. When at the store, look for a pineapple whose top leaves pull out easily. This means they are ripe. If you can’t find a ripe pineapple, bring one home and let it sit on your counter for a few days until it finishes ripening.  Avoid canned pineapple.

Tomato – You can use any type of tomato you prefer. Nothing beats straight from the garden, but if you buy at the store, make sure they aren’t too firm. A slight give in the skin indicates they are ripe. (Too much give indicates they are rotten. So press gently)

Red bell pepper – You can use any color of bell pepper you like, but red tends to be the sweetest and give the best flavor to this salsa.

Red onion – Red onions should be firm when pressed. Remove the first layer of skin and onions before chopping. I find that the onion works best here if it’s closer to being minced than diced. The smaller the cut, the better the overall texture of the finished dish.

Fresh cilantro – This is optional. So if you hate cilantro, simply leave it out. But for those who love cilantro, feel free to add as much as you like. The amount given is just a suggestion.

Jalapeño pepper – See recipe tips below. The finer you mince the pepper, the better. You can also use Serrano peppers if you prefer them.

Lime juice – This is approximately the juice of 2 limes. Feel free to adjust the amount to your own tastes. The measurement is just a suggestion. While fresh lime juice is best, bottled will work too.

Salt – Add to taste. You don’t need a lot. But a little will really help bring out the sweetness of the pineapple.

How To Make Pineapple Salsa

Wash and cut the pineapple, tomato, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, pepper, and limes. Chop or mince them as indicated.

Add all the ingredients to a large or medium bowl.

Add lime juice and salt to taste, then stir well to combine and serve.

How To Serve Pineapple Salsa

This salsa is best served in a salsa bowl with a side of corn chips. Or, put it in a bowl and put a spoon in it to serve it over other dishes.

How To Store Fresh Pineapple Salsa

If you have leftovers, pack this in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Recipe Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need to make and serve this recipe. A cutting board, a good knife, and some salsa bowls. Click on any of the images to be taken to that product on Amazon. (Affiliate links)

More Homemade Salsa Recipes

• Strawberry Salsa
• Blueberry Mango Salsa
• Apple Salsa
• Corn Salsa
• Watermelon Salsa
• Cilantro Salsa
• Salsa Verde
• Restaurant Salsa

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Easy Pineapple Salsa Recipe Card