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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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Recipe
Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple halved, flesh removed and diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 red onion diced
- 3 tomatoes 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).
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Great salsa -- so colorful! Totally agree with you that 1) this can go with so many things, and 2) food and travel go hand-in-hand! Love this healthy salsa!
Sheena Strain
Love Pineapple salsa, it's so easy to make and with hardly any calories you can eat the whole bowl!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
Yummmyyyyy!!! Love everything about this! Pass the chips!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com
I love all kinds of salsas. I have made strawberry salsa but never pineapple. Sounds good!
Amanda
This sounds really interesting, but I am not sure what to put it on. Maybe just as a side at a bbq?
Tanya Brannan
That looks so tasty! It really could spice up a meal - I am thinking a nice juicy burger with this as a topping!
Nadia
It's amazing that you've had the chance to travel and try different cuisines. You must have so many amazing recipes and ideas from things you've tried around the world :) Adding pineapple to salsa sounds amazing! Need to give it a try soon :)
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
I love, love, love fruity salsas! They are definitely the way forward. I've never added pineapple before though. Great idea. Really fun and fruity ;-)
Kelly
Love the grilled pineapple in this salsa! I would find every excuse to use this on everything too! So fresh and delicious!
Fashion and Style Police
Loving the flavours here. This sounds very yummy.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime
I find that cooked pineapple is far too sweet for me
Liz Mays
Now those flavors sound good. I want to try this with some tortillas or tacos.
Manali @ CookWithManali
I love pineapple in my salsa, so delicious! this sounds very refreshing Dannii!
Ana De- Jesus
I love the idea of adding grilled pineapple because its sweet juicy flavour would make the perfect accompaniment to any dish.
Sarah Bailey
Oh wow this looks absolutely amazing - I have to admit I do love pineapple. x
Heidi Roberts
This salsa sounds so fresh and summery - I love the pineapple chunks!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
Love love love fruit salsas! Last year I made a watermelon salsa and was addicted to it all summer long. Now that i've seen this grilled pineapple salsa, I have a very good feeling i will become addicted to this one this summer :)
Life as Mum
This looks so delicious. I will have to try it this weekend
Diane
Healthy and delicious! I love how you are grilling the pineapple for a bit of extra flavor. This salsa is so pretty and versatile! Yummy!
Maria @ runningcupcake
It sounds lovely! I love pineapple, but when grilled it goes even sweeter and even more delicious. We have a load of pickles and sauces in our fridge but we always forget to use them!