A tried-and-true classic salsa tastes fresh, earthy, piquant and sometimes a little spicy, but there’s a myriad of salsas with hero ingredients at the helm for whole new flavor perspectives. That’s what we love about this pineapple salsa recipe: It has all the usual salsa suspects, but sweet, tropical pineapple chunks are the true star.
The pineapple creates a vibrant color, and the small punch of sweetness plays well with ultra-salty and savory foods. Served with tortilla chips or used to top an authentic Mexican dinner, this pineapple salsa recipe makes an impact.
Pineapple Salsa Ingredients
- Pineapple: You’ll need 2 cups diced fresh pineapple. Learn how to cut a pineapple properly to get the most out of your fruit.
- Tomatoes: I always grab Roma tomatoes when making salsa recipes. They’re meatier than other varieties and hold a ton of sun-ripened flavor.
- Onion: A sweet onion, also known as a white onion, is important here. Sweet onions are best used in no-cook applications like this pineapple salsa recipe as they have a sweeter taste and not an overpowering, pungent, oniony taste like other types of onions (red or yellow onions, for example).
- Fresh cilantro: Refreshing, citrusy and peppery, cilantro’s bright flavor pairs beautifully with the fresh ingredients in this salsa and adds a gorgeous pop of green.
- Jalapeno pepper: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers as the oils can burn your skin. Avoid touching your face too.
- Olive oil: We use 1 tablespoon olive oil for fat and richness. Otherwise, the salsa would be too acidic.
- Spices: Peppery coriander, pungent cumin, zippy garlic and a pinch of salt add much-needed savory flavor to the pineapple salsa recipe.
- Tortilla chips: Crunchy, crispy, salty and vaguely buttery, tortilla chips are the perfect serving vessel for any salsa recipe. Buy your favorite bag from the store, or get a little adventurous and make homemade tortilla chips.
Directions
Step 1: Mix the fruits, veggies, spices and herbs
In a large bowl, add the pineapple, tomatoes, sweet onion, fresh cilantro, jalapeno pepper, olive oil, coriander, cumin, salt and garlic.
Stir the ingredients.
Step 2: Chill until ready to serve
Cover the bowl with storage wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate until serving.
Editor’s Tip: This is a really great make-ahead recipe since the salsa can hang out in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Step 3: Serve with tortilla chips
When you’re ready to serve, take the salsa out of the fridge and remove the cover. Set the pineapple salsa next to a big bowl of your favorite tortilla chips.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute bell peppers: Not a tomato fan? Use red bell peppers instead for an easy swap.
- Bump up the pungency: If you do like an onion pungency in your salsa, swap in red onions for the sweet onions. Start with only half the amount of onions called for, then taste and add more red onions as desired.
- Swap in another tropical fruit: Papaya and mango are delicious tropical fruits to use instead of pineapple. Papaya is milder in flavor and mango isn’t quite as sweet as pineapple.
- Add extra acidity: Personally, I add fresh citrus wherever I can, in anything I’m cooking or baking—fresh pineapple salsa is no different. A hint of lime juice can really brighten and balance out the flavor, especially if your pineapple is just a bit too sweet.
How to Store Pineapple Salsa
Place the pineapple salsa recipe in an airtight container (or just wrap the top of the bowl in storage wrap or aluminum foil) and stick it in the fridge. Store pineapple salsa in the fridge for up to three days.
Pineapple Salsa Tips
How do you pick the best pineapple?
My go-to method is to pick up a pineapple and smell the bottom of it. There should be a strong smell of pineapple. Smell a few of the pineapples so you know which one has the headiest scent. Since a pineapple doesn’t ripen very much after being picked, it’s extra important that you choose the best pineapple while at the store.
Another trick is to check out the color of the leaves. They should be bright and healthy-looking. Avoid any pineapples with brown, crispy leaves. Also, lean toward a pineapple that’s mostly yellow and doesn’t have any brown spots.
How should you use pineapple salsa?
When salsa is this good, the best way to serve it is with a bag of the best tortilla chips from the store and a classic margarita. You could even use a cored-out pineapple as a serving dish, for pineapple salsa in a pineapple!
We also love to serve a big scoop of pineapple salsa on top of these contest-winning Baja fish tacos, our super easy skillet nachos, these ultra-flavorful and vibrant fajita recipes, our super easy stuffed poblanos and almost any taco recipe.
