Zesty Pineapple Salsa Recipe

This easy pineapple salsa recipe is vibrant, festive and oh-so-delicious. The citrus flavor and juicy sweet pineapple plays perfectly against the spicy addition of jalapeño for a flavor explosion you won’t be able to resist! 

As you surely know by now, I love alllll the fiesta flavors. Give me a touch of spice in almost anything and I will crave it endlessly! 

This pineapple salsa recipe is the most delicious combination of sweet and spicy flavors. It’s an explosion of flavor that is truly irresistible! It’s also fresh, healthy, colorful and so beautiful to serve.

It’s the perfect dip for parties because while it’s wildly flavorful, it’s also gluten free, which means it can accommodate people with allergies.

Salsa is always the perfect addition to any game day or Cinco de Mayo gathering! You’ve got to try my avocado salsa, chipotle corn salsa, cranberry salsa or fresh watermelon salsa for more inspiration! 

The flavors of cilantro and lime are perfectly matched. We use this combination often – you’ve got to try my cilantro lime baked chicken, fresh crema de cilantro, and this incredible cilantro lime vinaigrette for salads.

I like to give a lot of detail and tips in my recipe posts to guide readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “jump to recipe” right under the title of this post and you’ll head straight there!

Let’s get this fiesta started! 

Pineapple Salsa Recipe Ingredients

• Fresh Pineapple – yes, fresh is always best in this recipe. Canned, watered-down pineapple isn’t what we’re going for here! 
• Red Bell Pepper – a little crunchy, a little sweet, and a LOT of color to create a beautiful rainbow in this pineapple salsa!
• Red Onion – another colorful and fragrant, distinctive addition to this salsa. Don’t skip the onion, it’s an important part of any salsa recipe!  
• Jalapeño – you might think you don’t like spice, but I promise that adding jalapeno to this recipe is perfection – the spicy flavor balances out the sweet and tangy pineapple perfectly.
• Cilantro – if you love fresh cilantro as much as we do, it’s a must here! However, I know some people have a huge aversion to this herb, so skip if you insist!
• Lime Juice – again, fresh is best here. If you don’t have any fresh limes on hand, though, feel free to add bottled lime juice instead.

How to Make Pineapple Salsa

When I say this is an easy recipe, I really mean it! Here’s how to create this fresh chopped salsa.

1. Finely dice your ingredients – make sure to de-stem the cilantro and Jalapeño, removing the seeds.
2. In a serving bowl, combine the pineapple, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. 
3. Add freshly squeezed lime juice and stir to combine. 
4. Season to taste – you can add additional lime juice, a little salt and pepper, or even some of the pineapple juice for a sweeter flavor.

Tips for Creating the BEST Fruit Salsa

• Can’t chop pineapple? No time? Or maybe you don’t want to learn? Just buy the fresh cut pineapple at your local grocery. It’s more expensive, of course, but just as delicious and the work is done for you!
• Instead of red pepper, you can use orange or yellow. However, green bell peppers aren’t quite as sweet and I would choose a more colorful, sweet pepper here.
• While you can use your food processor for this fresh salsa, I don’t recommend it. The pineapple is so soft that it’s much better when diced. Yes, it will take some time – but it’s SO WORTH IT! 
• Worried it’s too spicy for you? Cut back to less Jalapeño to suit your tastes.
• This pineapple salsa is best when served fresh, but it will keep well in the fridge for up to three days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in a sealed container.

Creating a Pineapple Bowl

Often, you’ll see tropical flavors like pineapple being served in a traditional pineapple boat for parties! This is such a fun, festive way to serve anything, as it really sets the mood and style of your event.

Instead of the classic pineapple boat where the stem and leaves remain, I kept things simple! I just sliced the pineapple in half across the center horizontally. You’ll simply score the pineapple across the center and then slice along the edges as you remove the juicy fruit inside! 

This creates the most charming display piece and immediately lets your guests know what flavor to expect as they dip! 

Where to Serve Pineapple Salsa

In addition to being an incredible dip to serve with tortilla chips, this fresh fruit salsa recipe is a delicious topping for an assortment of protein entrees! 

• Serve on top of grilled meats in the summer for a tropical sensation! Adding this sweet and savory pineapple salsa to grilled chicken is the ultimate light and zesty dinner.
• Roast your chicken or fish in the oven for a quick entree and top with this flavorful salsa. This baked chicken recipe is a moist and juicy option that is very neutral in flavor, so this salsa would be incredible on top! 
• This pineapple salsa is the perfect addition to your favorite tacos! It would work beautifully with chicken, pork, fish and shrimp flavors.
• Add it to your favorite fresh salads for lunch! My cilantro lime dressing would be perfect in combination with this salsa on a fresh green salad. Throw in some chicken or black beans for extra fiber and protein, and you’ve got a killer light and healthy lunch!

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If you try this yummy pineapple salsa, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too!