This fresh pineapple salsa recipe is sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky with pineapple, lime, cilantro, and chili. The perfect topping for tacos, grilled fish, and more. Super simple and quick, ready in 15 minutes. Vegan and GF.
Have I ever told you how much I love pineapple? It's so cooling, juicy, and refreshing-especially during the warmer months. This fresh pineapple salsa recipe is one of our favorite ways to enjoy it, pairing sweet, tangy pineapple with smoky chipotle, fresh cilantro, crisp onion, and bright lime juice. A delicious addition to your next Mexican Feast!
Fresh pineapple really is best here. (Though canned pineapple can work in a pinch!) It's worth taking a few minutes to slice and dice a whole pineapple-the flavor is sweeter, brighter, and makes this salsa feel extra special.
The best part? This pineapple salsa comes together quickly and keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Sweet, spicy, fresh, and completely crave-worthy, you'll find yourself spooning it over everything.
We love it on Chipotle Chicken tostadas, black bean quesadillas, burgers, grilled fish, baked tofu, and even breakfast scrambles. A simple little bowl of salsa that adds a burst of sunshine to almost any meal!
Why You'll Love This Pineapple Salsa Recipe
- Fresh and vibrant - Juicy pineapple, lime, cilantro, and onion create the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavor, with a subtle smoky kick from chipotle. A spoonful instantly brightens up tacos, grilled fish, tofu, bowls, burgers, and more.
- Quick and easy - With just a handful of ingredients, this salsa comes together in minutes once the pineapple is chopped. To further speed up the process, buy pineapple chunks and dice them small- no need to peel.
- Great make-ahead recipe - The flavors deepen as it sits, and it keeps well in the fridge for a few days.
- Simple ingredients - Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and made with very simple ingredients.
Pineapple Salsa Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh pineapple - The star ingredient, bringing juicy sweetness and a bright tropical flavor that makes this salsa so refreshing. Fresh pineapple works best here, adding the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- Cilantro - Adds fresh, herbal brightness and balances the sweetness of the pineapple.
- White onion - Provides a crisp, savory bite that gives the salsa depth and contrast.
- Lime juice - Brings acidity and freshness, enhancing the flavors and keeping the salsa vibrant.
- Chipotle powder (or ancho chili powder) - Adds a subtle smoky warmth and gentle heat. Ancho chili powder creates a milder, earthy flavor, while chipotle brings a deeper smoky kick.
- Sea salt - Enhances all the flavors and ties the sweet, savory, and spicy notes together.
- Jalapeno- optional, but gives a little kick!
How to Make Pineapple Salsa
Step one. Trim and peel a fresh pineapple, then dice up 2 cups’ worth. This is about half of a medium-sized pineapple.
Step two. Into a medium bowl, add pineapple, diced onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, chipotle powder, and salt.
Step three. Mix and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Storage
This Pineapple Salsa recipe will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Expert TipS
- Dicing everything very small gives a balanced taste with every bite.
- Feel free to add chopped bell pepper, or cherry tomatoes to mix things up a bit!
- This can be made up to 24 hours ahead.
What to Serve with Pineapple Salsa
- Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa
- Jackfruit Tacos
- Mexican Rice with Sheet-Pan Veggies
- Spicy Mexican Oaxacan Bowl
- Mexican Breakfast Burrito Bowls!
- Mexican Short Rib Tacos
- Vegan Burrito Bowl w/ Creamy (Vegan) Cilantro Sauce
- Mole Black Beans
- Roasted Chile Relleno with Black Beans
- Amazing Black Bean Burgers (in under 30 mins
More salsa recipes To enjoy
Let us know what you love eating with this salsa!
Enjoy,
Print
Pineapple Salsa Recipe
- Prep Time: 25
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 ½ cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Mexican recipes, Salsa, sauce, Side Dish
- Method: Chopped
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan
Description
This fresh pineapple salsa recipe is sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky with pineapple, lime, cilantro, and chili. The perfect topping for tacos, grilled fish, and more. Vegan and GF.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, finely diced
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
- 1 medium lime, juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (for less spicy, substitute ancho chili powder)
- 1/8 sea salt
Instructions
Mix together the diced pineapple, onion, chipotle powder, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Taste and adjust the spice level to your liking, along with salt and lime.
Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 43
- Sugar: 6.7 g
- Sodium: 54 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.9 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Absolutely delicious! And so quick. The flavors are perfect together.
Thanks Anna!
Such a simple recipe, but SO delicious! Perfect addition to our vegan burrito bowls.
Great to hear Jenn!
I love pineapple salsa–I sometimes add cucumber to this for a bit of crunch. Last night, I subbed the chipotle and salt with tajin, and it was terrific (sweet, salty and spicy–perfect). All it needed was a little smoke (bit of chipotle pepper in adobo sauce or smoked paprika). A lovely fresh change from the usual. Great with carnitas.
Glad you enjoyed this!
Made this tonight with rice bowls. They had halibut, black beans, cabbage, cucumber, red pepper and a cilantro lime dressing. Every bite was an adventure, chasing the perfect balance of all the sweet, savory, salty, crisp, and cool flavors & textures. This pineapple salsa is so quick and easy and took the whole thing up a notch!
Great to hear!