This pineapple salsa recipe is fresh and sweet with just the right amount of heat from fruity, spicy habanero peppers and plenty of chunky pineapple.
It's spicy salsa time, my friends! Are you up for some salsa? Everyone loves a good salsa recipe, and this one just might be one of your new favorites. We're talking a super easy pineapple salsa that has just the right amount of heat for my spicy food loving friends.
Pineapple salsa is a big favorite for game day gatherings and any party situation, where quick and easy recipes that satisfy a big crowd rule the day. This recipe includes lots of fresh chopped pineapple along with both jalapeno peppers and wonderfully fiery habanero peppers to make this a truly stand out salsa.
We just love this recipe and make it all the time. There is no cooking involved. This is a super fresh, sweet and spicy salsa that will be on the table in no time. Get your knives and pineapples, ready, my friends. And your peppers! This one is very easy to customize to your own spice level preference.
Let's talk about how we make this spicy pineapple salsa recipe, shall we?
Spicy Pineapple Salsa Ingredients
- Pineapple. Use a smaller ripe pineapple, or half of a typical sized pineapple for this recipe. The amount you use can be variable. I like to use about 2 cups of chopped pineapple with mine, which makes a nice portion. You can use more or less as desired.
- The Peppers. Use a jalapeno pepper for a mildly spicy version of the recipe. I love to include a couple of habanero peppers for their additional heat and fruity flavor, which hugely compliment this recipe and make it wonderfully spicy. If you think the heat will be too much, core out the peppers before using, or omit the habaneros entirely.
- Onion. Red onion has a wonderful crunch factor to it, though I also enjoy it with a crunchy white onion. Shallots are good for milder onion flavor.
- Tomatoes. Use juicy tomatoes with firm outer flesh. You can scoop out the tomato innards if you'd like, though I usually keep it in.
- The Extras. Fresh chopped cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste round out the recipe.
How to Make Spicy Pineapple Salsa - the Recipe Method
Peel and core the Pineapple. Finely chop it and add to a large mixing bowl. Use 2 cups of chopped pineapple and save the rest, or use the whole pineapple.
Chop the Peppers. Finely chop the peppers and add them to the mixing bowl. You can core out the peppers for milder heat.
Chop the Onion and Tomatoes. Finely chop the onion and tomatoes. You can scoop out the squishy tomato innards for a chunkier texture to your salsa if you'd prefer. Add to the mixing bowl.
Hand Mix the Salsa. Add the chopped cilantro, freshly squeezed lime juice and salt to taste. Mix the salsa until it is nicely combined.
Taste and Adjust. Give the salsa a taste. Need more salt? A bit more lime juice? Add them in until you love it.
Boom! Done! Pineapple salsa is ready to serve! You gotta love a fiery fruit salsa, especially with lots of pineapple.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Heat Factor. You'll definitely get some heat from the fiery habanero peppers, though you can really control that by coring them out before chopping. Skip the habaneros if they are too hot for you and stick with the jalapeno peppers, which have a nice bit of heat on their own. For an even hotter version, use extra habaneros or go with ghost peppers or hotter. Spice it up, my friends! You can also use red bell pepper for a super mild version.
- Serving Pineapple Salsa. Serve your salsa with tortilla chips for the most common experience, though we love to spoon it over grilled meats like grilled chicken, fish or pork. Swap out your typical sauce next time for salsa. You'll love it! It's also great on tacos, like these awesome Baja Fish Tacos or these flavorful Tacos al Pastor. Try it as a side dish. So good!
- Customize It. You can incorporate other ingredients to make this recipe your own. Some great additions are black beans,
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my fruity, spicy, fresh pineapple salsa recipe. So easy to make, isn't it? I love this salsa! Grab the tortilla chips. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!
Check out These Other Popular Salsa Recipes
- Roasted Pineapple-Habanero Salsa
- Mexican Green Table Sauce
- Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce with Roasted Tomatillos
- Salsa Roja
- Salsa Criolla - Argentinian Salsa
- Fiery Mango Salsa
- Habanero Salsa
- Xni-Pec - Chunky Habanero Salsa
- Fresh Ghost Pepper Salsa
- Rujak - Indonesian Fruit Salad
Or try this Pineapple-Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Spicy Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped pineapple (about 1/2 a pineapple)
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 2 habanero peppers chopped
- ½ red onion chopped
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Juice from 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Taste and adjust for salt and lime juice.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors mingle. Can be enjoyed immediately.
- Serve!
Video
Nutrition Information
This recipe is naturally gluten free.
MTDreams says
Mike, When I searched for "Spicy Pineapple Salsa" this was exactly what I was hoping to find. I'm making this tomorrow to go on my 'A#1 Pork Carnitas' (slow cooker) tacos. Habaneros all the way!
Question - does this keep in the fridge? If so for how long would you expect?
Comment - the recipe calls for RED onion. The images are white onion. FYI, bud!
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it! This will last a week or so in the fridge in a sealed container. You can use either red or white onion, but thanks for alerting me!
Mac says
Cheers Mike, another awesome recipe. I have now made your papaya salsa, fresh mango salsa and now this pineapple one. Each is wonderful in its own way, I can't pick a favourite... it's a case of "horses for courses" ...it depends on the accompliment. This recipe was followed to the T, next time I will add an extra hab and/or leave the pith in.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Mac! Glad you're enjoying the salsas!
Avery Norris says
Can I can this as is ?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Check the acidity first, Avery. It should be 3.5 or lower for home preserving. You can always add more acid (citrus or vinegar) to lower the pH if needed.
Derek T. says
As suspected, this salsa is delicious! We each enjoyed our small taste today, and I know it will be better tomorrow. There was some good heat in the one with habs/ghosts. Just needed to leave some STARS!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome, Derek! Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate it.
Derek T. says
I made two batches of this at the same time -- one for me (the chilihead) and one for my wife (who tolerates my capsaicin issue and occasionally eats food that is beyond her spice range).
I followed your recipe exactly for both batches (except that I had no cilantro) -- but they diverged at the end. In hers, I added two peppers total (deseeded): one serrano and one poblano/ancho. In mine, I added 8 or 10 habaneros and 2 ghost peppers. They are both in the fridge chilling now, and I have no doubt that we will both love them!
Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes -- this is my first season with a garden, and my pepper plants are EXPLODING! I have 2 different habanero bushes to go along with ghost peppers, serranos, and others....so your plethora of salsa/sauce recipes have been most appreciated! Cheers!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent, Derek! I love it. Happy sauce making!!!
Mike Bagur says
Made this recipe, but used 4 Serrano peppers in place of habanero and jalapeno. It was awesome! Great combination of sweet and spicy. It was a hit. Definitely will make again!
Thanks for all the delicious recipes. please keep them coming!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great! Thanks, Mike. Super happy you enjoyed it.