Pineapple Salsa
7
Last updated on May 15, 2025
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This sweet and fresh pineapple salsa is so easy to make! Pair it with tortilla chips for a flavorful appetizer or use as a topping for tacos, grilled chicken or fish.
I’m a sucker for salsa. I love pretty much all salsa, but really love unique salsas that mix in fruit! Mango, peach, watermelon, pineapple… the options are endless. I decided to go with pineapple for this salsa, but let me know if you’re craving a different fruit and I’ll have to experiment!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Salsa
This isn’t your average salsa — here’s why I think you’re going to be just as obsessed as I am:
- Sweet, spicy, and tangy – That pineapple-lime-jalapeño combo is chef’s kiss.
- No cooking required – Just chop, toss, and chill. So simple.
- Super versatile – Serve it with chips, tacos, grilled chicken, fish — you name it.
- Meal-prep friendly – It holds up well in the fridge and the flavor gets even better after a few hours.
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free – All whole food ingredients with zero fuss.
Pineapple Salsa Ingredients
- pineapple – fresh pineapple is best, but you can use canned pineapple in a pinch. You can also use fresh mango instead of pineapple if you prefer to make a mango salsa.
- red onion – adds a little zest, crunch and a ton of flavor to the salad. If raw red onion feels too pungent you can soak the onion slices in bowl of ice cold water for a 10-15 minutes before using. After soaking, just drain and use! This will mellow out the flavor a bit.
- bell pepper – I used red bell pepper, but any color will work.
- jalapeño pepper – to add a little kick! You can omit or swap for more bell pepper if you don’t like spice.
- garlic – adds a ton of flavor!
- cilantro – the perfect herb accompaniment to pineapple and a key ingredient in this salsa. You can use the stems and the leaves here. The stems pack in a ton of flavor.
- lime juice – I recommend using fresh lime juice as opposed to the lime juice you can buy at the store.
- sea salt – to bring all the flavors together!
Substitutions & Variations
This salsa is super flexible — here are a few easy ways to switch it up:
- No fresh pineapple? Canned works in a pinch. Just drain it well and chop it up finely.
- Dial up the heat: Leave the jalapeño seeds in, or swap in a serrano pepper for extra spice.
- Herb swap: Not a fan of cilantro? Fresh parsley or even chopped mint can work for a different flavor vibe.
- Add-ins: Diced mango, avocado, or even cucumber can add a fun twist and more texture.
How to Make Pineapple Salsa
This pineapple salsa comes together in just minutes — no cooking, just chopping and tossing.
Step 1: Add the pineapple, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, and cilantro to a bowl. Drizzle with lime juice and sprinkle with sea salt.
Step 2: Toss everything together, taste and adjust lime or salt if needed, then cover and chill for 1–2 hours before serving.
Brittany’s Tips
- Use ripe pineapple: It should smell sweet and feel slightly soft when you press on it. Underripe pineapple can taste bland or too tart.
- Finely dice everything: Smaller pieces mean you’ll get a little bit of everything in each bite — way more satisfying.
How to Serve Pineapple Salsa
I love serving this salsa as an appetizer with tortilla chips (the Late July lime tortilla chips are my favorite)! It’s also a delicious topping for pretty much any recipe. Here are some ideas:
How to Store Pineapple Salsa
Leftovers should stay fresh for 2-3 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. Any longer and the pineapple will release its juices and the salsa will get mushy and watery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Canned pineapple works in a pinch — just make sure to drain it well and chop it finely. I recommend using pineapple packed in juice, not syrup, for the best flavor.
It depends on your jalapeño! You can control the heat by removing the seeds and membranes for a milder salsa, or leaving them in if you like more of a kick.
Pineapple is a nutrient-dense fruit that’s low in calories and packed with vitamin C — just one cup provides over 130% of your daily needs, which is great for supporting your immune system. It also contains bromelain, a group of enzymes that can help with digestion, reduce inflammation, and even support muscle recovery. Some people take bromelain in supplement form, but you can get the same benefits just by eating fresh pineapple!
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Try
- Mexican Quinoa Casserole
- Vegan Burrito Bowl
- Skinny Margarita
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Cauliflower Tacos
- Easy Ceviche
Be sure to check out all the appetizer recipes as well as the full collection of healthy Mexican recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely diced pineapple*
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ¼ cup finely diced bell pepper
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice + more to taste
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add pineapple, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, garlic and cilantro in a small bowl.
- Toss with lime juice. Taste and add more lime juice if needed. Cover and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to let the flavors marinate before serving.
- Serve with tortilla chips as an appetizer or as a topping for fish.
Video
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers should stay fresh for 2-3 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. Any longer and the pineapple will release its juices and the salsa will get mushy and watery.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious!! This was so fresh and light and easy to make! Served over Blackened Salmon with rice. I could not get fresh pineapple (we are out of town) so I had to buy canned. I made sure to rinse it well and it worked. I can’t wait to try it with fresh pineapple when we get home. Thank you so much!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this salad and that it turned out with canned pineapple. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
Tastes so good. I love it. Pineapple is one of my favorites.
Woo! I am so excited to hear you are loving this recipe and it turned out great for you, Janice. Thank you for your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
Yuuummmmm!!! The sweet, the spicy, the crunch, the freshness…Ooolala!! This will probably have to be my meal until the bowl is gone😉
So glad you enjoyed this salsa, Erica!! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Love this salsa! It’s perfect with chips, on top of salmon, in tacos, eaten with a spoon – you name it! Best pineapple salsa recipe ever I make it all the time