Sweet bits of pineapple and spicy jalapeño combine to make this easy pineapple salsa one of our favorite condiments and snacks.
If you’ve been reading this blog for very long you already know that there are not many recipes that I label “the best”. This salsa is well qualified for that title.
There is a Mexican restaurant in my city that serves a pineapple salsa that I have enjoyed for a while now.
I have no idea why it took me so long to try making my own, but a sale on pineapples finally pushed me to try. What was I waiting for? This pineapple jalapeno salsa absolutely smokes my former favorites.
Jalapeno Pineapple Salsa
I ate this salsa three days in a row and I am not even going to pretend that I shared more than a taste or two with my family. They all liked it, but I lucked out and was able to hide it away.
Most of it, I ate straight out of the bowl with tortilla chips (and, if I’m being honest, a few times with a spoon). I also spooned some on top of some leftover chicken and salad for lunch.
I am making more of this today and will have to share this time because I promised. My oldest son was not happy that the first batch “disappeared” so quickly.
Pineapple Jalapeno Dip
Over the past ten years, this spicy pineapple salsa has become a solid favorite with family and friends. I’ve given this recipe out countless times after sharing the salsa with friends.
We love this salsa on Hawaiian Hot Dogs, Carnitas Street Tacos, and Carnitas Salad Bowls. I make a double batch of this salsa almost every time we’re barbecuing with friends and it disappears fast. Eaten with a spoon, scooped up with chips, or piled over burgers, it’s a win.
As a dip, it’s irresistible on its own, but it would also be phenomenal on top of Caramelized Onion and Chicken Quesadillas or in these Chicken Burritos.
How to Make Pineapple Salsa
You’ll need just a few ingredients to make this salsa recipe:
- pineapple
- jalapeno
- lime juice
- cilantro
- green onions
- salt and pepper
Pineapple Salsa Recipe
The most time-consuming part of this recipe is peeling and dicing the pineapple. To make it even easier, you can buy ready-to-eat fresh pineapple from most grocery stores. Be sure to use fresh pineapple though! The salsa won’t taste the same with frozen or canned pineapple.
As written, the recipe calls for two tablespoons of chopped jalapeño pepper. I often double or triple that amount if the peppers I’m using aren’t especially hot. If you’re sensitive to heat, start with about a tablespoon of the chopped pepper and add more to taste.
Green onions add a distinct bite to this salsa that I find incredible. Freshly chopped cilantro leaves, salt, pepper, and lime juice mixed with the pineapple and jalapeño complete this delicious easy salsa recipe.
Once mixed, it’s ready to serve right away. The salsa also keeps beautifully in the fridge for a couple of days, but it rarely lasts that long in this house.
Over the past few years, this easy pineapple salsa has become one of the most frequently requested snacks that we make for family and friends. It doesn’t matter how much of it I prepare, it disappears in a flash every time.
More often than not, I find myself planning our meals around this salsa whenever we have it around. One of our favorite ways to eat this is over Teriyaki Glazed Salmon and rice.
Salsa Recipes
Many of you might remember that I’m picky about my homemade salsas. I want my salsa recipes to be both easy to make and full of amazing flavor with just the right amount of heat.
Along with this pineapple salsa, I can enthusiastically recommend this Pico De Gallo recipe and this tasty Black Bean Salsa. If you’re a mushroom lover, this Mushroom Jalapeno Salsa is a completely unique salsa that surprised us all by how delicious it was
Strawberry Salsa should definitely happen while berries are at their best this year. And Mango Corn Salsa? Seriously, try it. You won’t regret it.
Hand over a bag of chips and a bowl of Cowboy Caviar, dinner is ready. Fresh peppers, onion, tomatoes, and avocados in a light dressing, this is so good. I am not at all joking when I say that I make this appetizer my dinner. I can happily dig into this and call it a meal.
For a roasted salsa option, check out this Smoky Roasted Salsa by Rebecca over at Foodie with Family. I can also testify that her Pickle de Gallo is a whole new kind of fresh salsa that is going to blow your mind.
Pineapple Recipes
I love to cook and bake with pineapple and can’t ever get enough of it. If you like pineapple anywhere near as much as we do, you’re bound to like this Pineapple Mojito Fruit Salad and this Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry
For a sweet summer cocktail, try a Pineapple Mojito. And don’t forget about the dozens of delicious pineapple desserts out there! We love Pineapple Cake with Coconut Frosting, Pina Colada Ice Cream, and this easy as can be Mango Pineapple Ice Cream.
Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 small pineapple peeled cored and very finely diced, about 3 cups
- 1 large jalapeno seeded and finely minced, about 2 tablespoons, add more for a spicier bite
- 1 small lime juiced, about 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 handful cilantro leaves only, finely chopped, about 2 tablespoons
- 3 green onions very thinly sliced, about 2 tablespoons
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper adjust to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Cover with lid or transfer to an airtight container. Chill until ready to serve. This will keep well in the refrigerator for about a week.
Nutrition
{originally posted 4-30-13 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/31/23}
Pam says
I saw some pineapples at the store last week, and almost bought one, NOW I hope they are still there this weekend!
Jenn says
Ooohhh.. this is how I make my spicy pineapple salsa! Or at least all the same ingredients 🙂 I've tried to add things and substitute things, but it's good just the way that it is!!
Sue/the view from great island says
Oh man this looks good to me. I love the colors, and that jalapeno in there. I would love this on fish and in fish tacos.
Joy Bee says
The salsa looks good. I love pineapples.
Pink Patisserie says
I just love that combination. So bright and fresh. Lovely!
Blond Duck says
Yum!
Gerry @Foodness Gracious says
This would be awesome on some seared halibut or scallops!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
The sweet pineapple must be fantastic with the peppers and tart lime. Gosh it sounds wonderful and could be served with or on anything. I see you've been very busy cooking up some beautiful dishes!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
My daughter and I want to try this so badly! It's only taken me two years to print the recipe but I'm going to give it a go. Lovely photos – I think about going back and reposting some great recipes that have awful photos – have a lovely day!
Malia Sturgeon says
Simple, delicious, love it! Pinned 🙂
allie @ ThroughHerLookingGlass says
So yum and pretty!!!! Pinned!
Anonymous says
Just made this for the second time in as many weeks– delicious! We use it as a side for grilled /blackened tuna and it is perfect. Maybe this winter I will try it as a salsa with chips : )!
Evelyn says
This is BEAUTIFULLY refreshing along side grilled fish/seafood, pork, or chicken… YUM!

Lily J Methratta says
Excellent Salsa!. Add a tablespoon of Rice vinegar & one teaspoon of sugar!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This really gives you a kick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barbara Beaman says
Sounds great. I won’t to try it
Mary says
Delicious!!!
Holly says
This was so easy to make. Very tasty! I added some red pickled pepper rings (chopped), just for colour. They added a bit of zing. We ate it with smoked teriyaki chicken legs. Yum!
Mary Younkin says
I bet that was a delicious combo!
Carolyn Crawford says
Tks for this recipe.We loved it with salmon.
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Carolyn! I’m so glad you liked the salsa; pairing it with salmon sounds delicious. Happy cooking.