This easy and fresh Pineapple Salsa recipe goes great with fish, chicken, tacos and tortilla chips and it a must at a summer BBQ! A zesty and light, chunky salsa that can liven up any meal without too many extra calories. It's colourful, a little sweet and a little spicy.
Pineapple salsa might sound a little bit crazy, but trust us on this. The sweetness of the pineapple combined with the chilli and chunky vegetables just works. You would use tomatoes usually, and they are a fruit too don't forget. It's a fantastic side dish at a BBQ and so easy to make, as you just mix it all up in a bowl.
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Why should you try it?
- A really fun way to serve salsa
- Less than 100 calories per serving
- Quick and easy to make
- Easy to adapt with different ingredients
- Make it as spicy or mild as you want
Step by step
One: Using a large, sharp knife cut the pineapple in half, length ways. A good knife is important for this and we highly recommend the Robert Welch Chef's Knife(aff).
How to choose a pineapple
You want to make sure that you pick a pineapple that is ripe and ready to eat. Although cooking it will help to bring out the flavours, it will still struggle if it isn’t ripe.
You want to look out for a pineapple that is a vibrant gold colour. A dull green means that it isn’t ripe yet and a red/brown colour with wrinkled skin means that it is past its best.
When you are picking your pineapple, give it a little squeeze and it should give slightly. If it is rock hard, then it isn’t ripe and a pineapple that feels mushy is on its way out. Also, a nicely ripe pineapple with have a lovely sweet smell, rather than a fermented smell of an off pineapple.
What other ingredients to add
This recipe used bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes and jalapenos, which is pretty much a standard base for salsa. You could also add some corn, chopped cucumber or some diced courgette (zucchini). You could add some diced celery or even small florets of raw broccoli for a nice crunch. And of course, diced avocado always works well in a salsa,
Grilled pineapple salsa
To really bring out the sweetness of the pineapple, try grilling it before dicing it. Put the strips of pineapple under the grill (broiler) for 3 minutes each side. Or you can cook on a BBQ grill for 3 minutes each side. Once cooked, cut them in to chunks and mix with the other ingredients.
Canned or fresh pineapple?
We used fresh pineapple as it's really cheap in the summer and so juicy. However, in a pinch you could use canned pineapple. Use a can of pineapple chunks and follow the recipe as normal.
Health benefits of pineapple
Pineapples are a good source of fibre, vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid. Pineapple also contains bromelain which is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects.
An 80g portion of pineapple counts as one of your five-a-day.
What to serve it with
Tortilla Chip are a must! Just grab a chip, dive into the salsa and scoop a big pile! This salsa is a great accompaniment to many dishes. Serve it with any of your favourite Mexican dishes for a simple, fresh side dish. You could top grilled chicken or fish with it or put it on top of scrambled eggs for quick and tasty breakfast or lunch.
We love it with Fish Tacos, or any kind of burrito or quesadilla.
How to store
This salsa can be stored in the fridge in air-tight container for up to a week. If you want to freeze it, put it into an air-tight container and store in the freezer, where it will be good for up to one year. Defrost in the fridge and make sure it it fully defrosted before serving.
Other ways to use pineapple
We have lots of other pineapple recipes on the blog. Of course pineapple makes a perfect dessert - we have an amazing Honey Grilled Pineapple or we caramelise it and use it on top of our Coconut Rice Pudding. Pineapple also makes up part of our Immune Booster Juice.
As well as desserts, like this salsa, pineapple works really well with savoury dishes. Why not put it on a pizza? (Controversial, I know!) Or use it in a sweet and sour dish, like our Sweet and Sour King Prawns.
Extra tips
- Swap the veg to things like corn, celery, courgette (zucchini) or avocado.
- Store in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for up to a year.
- This is really good with grilled pineapple.
- You can use canned pineapple instead of fresh.
- A good knife is important for this and we highly recommend the Robert Welch Chef's Knife(aff).
More salsa recipes
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If you’ve tried this pineapple salsa recipe, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
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Recipe
Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple halved, flesh removed and diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 red onion diced
- 1 lime (juice only)
- 15 g coriander (cilantro) finely chopped
- 4 tablespoon pickled jalapeños
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the pineapple in half length-ways and scoop out the flesh.
- Chop the pineapple into chunks and mix with the other ingredients.
- Fill the pineapple halves with the salsa and serve.
Notes
- Swap the veg to things like corn, celery, courgette (zucchini) or avocado.
- Store in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for up to a year.
- This is really good with grilled pineapple.
- You can use canned pineapple instead of fresh.
- A good knife is important for this and we highly recommend the Robert Welch Chef's Knife(aff).
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I've never made fruit salsa with pineapple before!! Thank you sharing this! I love trying new salsa variations!
Alison
oooh pineapple and salsa, genius. I would love to go to Mexico
cheri
Hi Dannii, what a great post, yes healthy eating is what we all should strive for, though everyone's journey is a little different. Love veggie and fruit based salsas.
Susie @ SuzLyfe
Gimme all the salsa, all the heats, all the textures, yes yum all. I need a fork and spoon and that is all.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
This looks so fresh and tasty, and really healthy too. Love the idea of grilling the pineapple first!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
This sounds fantastic! Perfect for the spring weather too.
Sharee @ Savory Spicerack
This looks pretty good! I want to try it with eggs as you have shown here! Congrats on your weight loss! I have to bookmark your website so that I have a great healthy weight loss reference! I will also share your page on facebook and follow you as well!
Tamara
Food memories define our travels as well! I think it's surprising to some people how much variety there is in Mexican cuisine - far beyond tacos and enchiladas... Your salsa looks both healthy and delicious. Bravo!
April
This sounds very good. I've never had pineapple salsa but I would totally try this recipe out!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
Firstly, gorgeous bowl! I love pineapple and would never think to make a salsa with it. I looks really yummy!
Cheese and Chinese
Wowieee this looks so good! Pineapple is our favorite fruit, and grilled is even better!
Harriet from Toby & Roo
Oh my this just looks so yummy! I love pineapple! H x
Jo
This salsa looks amazing. I would definitely serve this at a barbecue. Can't wait for the warmer weather.
Choclette
Oh yum Dannii, I'm with you on the sauces and salsas and this one sounds wonderful. Next time I get my hands on a pineapple I will try and remember to make this.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Grilled pineapple is so good. Can't wait for BBQ season, this will be perfect for entertaining!!
David @ Spiced
Ah yes, that must be why we are good bloggy blog friends, Dannii! Whenever we go on vacation, it's all about the local food. And the local beer, too. For us, Italy is still by far the best foodie vacation, but I'm thinking we need to give Mexico a shot. I love a good salsa, and I love the grill. So this is a good combo for me. Bring on the tortilla chips!
Annie @ Annie's Noms
Grilled pineapple is the best! Love that you've used it to make this gorgeous salsa! I bet it tastes so wonderful!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I absolutely love salsa, but I've never tried a pineapple version, let alone a grilled one! This sounds SO good, Dannii! I think I would devour this all in no time. Definitely meal-worthy! :)
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So easy, delicious and versatile too!
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Food and travel go hand in hand, yes definitely we agree! I can't wait to experience new foods and cultures by lots of travelling. Uganda and Zanzibar last year were amazing. The people there eat bright vibrant coloured foods, like your delicious looking grilled pineapple salsa. They may be poorer than us, but they are definitely much happier with their packed full of veggies and fresh fruits diets. We should take a leaf out of their book!