For a zingy appetizer with fresh summery flavor, make this yummy Pineapple Pico de Gallo! This dish is sweet and tart with a dash of spicy for a burst of tasty flavor.
You can serve with tortilla chips for dipping or on top of grilled chicken or with fish tacos. No matter how you enjoy it, you’ll love this healthy and delicious pineapple pico!
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💚 About This Recipe
Take your taste buds on a tropical adventure with this pico de pina, a delightful twist on the classic Mexican salsa. Bursting with vibrant flavors and a hint of sweetness, this zesty concoction will transport you to sunny beaches and swaying palm trees with every bite.
Pineapple salsa combines just a handful of ingredients like onions, cilantro, and spicy jalapeño with juicy sweet pineapple and zesty lime juice. The result is a harmonious fusion of flavors that will tantalize your palate.
Whether you're serving it as a dip with tortilla chips, topping it on grilled fish or chicken, or using it as a refreshing side dish, this fresh salsa recipe is a versatile crowd-pleaser.
For a more classic appetizer staple, try this yummy Homemade Pico de Gallo. And if you can't get enough pineapple, check out Pineapple Banana Bread!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- ripe pineapple - delicious and fresh pineapple provides a sweet and tropical base for this salsa.
- red onion - provides a bite that enhances the natural flavors of the pineapple.
- bell pepper - adds a bit of extra flavor and some pops of color.
- cilantro - a classic salsa ingredient, cilantro will add a nice herbal flavor.
- jalapeño slices - for a subtle kick of spicy flavor and heat.
- fresh lime juice - helps to bring together the flavors and provides a tangy and citrusy burst of flavor.
🔪 Instructions
- Dice the pineapple into the desired size.
- Dice the red onion.
- Do the same to the red bell pepper.
- Finally, dice the jalapeños, again into the desired size.
- Chop the cilantro.
- Combine all of the chopped ingredients in a large bowl with lime juice and salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!
❔ FAQs
This translates to "beak of the rooster" from Spanish. It has nothing to do with what goes into the pico, but rather the way it's traditionally eaten by pinching it between fingers, making the shape of a rooster's beak.
Since you're using fresh ingredients like pineapple, onion, and peppers, there will be some natural juices and moisture. If you find your pico de pina a bit too watery, be sure to separate the diced ingredients from any juice before adding them to the bowl.
These two snack/appetizer dishes are similar in their ingredients, but their preparation is where they differ. Traditional pico de gallo (also called salsa fresca) is a type of salsa that involves a mixture of fresh ingredients, and salsa takes those ingredients and blends them for a somewhat smoother and more combined mixture.
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use fresh pineapple for this recipe for the best results in this fruity salsa. Canned pineapple won't give the same fresh flavor!
- Chop your ingredients small enough that you can easily scoop up your pineapple salsa with chips and it works as a topping for tacos or grilled fish or meats.
- You can also turn this into a chunky salsa by lightly pulsing the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
📌 Serve this pineapple salsa as a super yummy and healthy snack or appetizer or as the perfect topping for a grilled summer meal! Easy prep makes this pico de pina super simple to put together.
💡 Substitutions and Variations
- You can use fresh jalapeños in place of the jarred if you prefer. The jarred jalapeños just tend to be easier.
- For a cilantro shortcut, use a kind of dried cilantro like the one sold by Gourmet Garden.
- Additional ingredients like diced ripe tomatoes (roma tomatoes work great here), mango, and garlic can be used for more flavor.
- Red onion can be substituted with white onion or yellow onion.
- Use serrano peppers or habanero peppers instead of jalapeño peppers if desired.
🥫 Storage and Reheating
Keep your pico de pina in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. After that, it won't taste as fresh. It may be fine to eat past that point, just be sure to check for freshness before consuming.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
To incorporate this pineapple salsa into a main course, serve it with Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos or use it as a topping with Tortilla Bowls and your choice of protein and other taco fix-ins! You could also serve it alongside Chipotle Cheese Dip or Cilantro Lime Dip for a fun appetizer combo.
✔️ More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip - You'll love this lightened up version of buffalo chicken dip with nutritious cauliflower!
- Chipotle Lime Edamame - Healthy and delicious, this edamame side dish is perfect as a yummy appetizer.
- Baked Eggplant Fries - Try these crispy eggplant fries with a homemade Chipotle Basil Dipping Sauce.
- Homemade Tortilla Chips - This recipe from Live Eat Learn is the perfect accompaniment to your pico de pina!
Homemade Pineapple Salsa
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📋 Recipe Card
Pineapple Pico De Gallo
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced pineapple
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped jalapeno slices (I used jarred slices)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Dice and chop the pineapple, onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeno slices to the measurements indicated.2 cups diced pineapple, ⅓ cup diced red onion, ½ cup chopped cilantro, ¼ cup chopped jalapeno slices, ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- Add all the ingredients into a medium bowl.1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Mix well, taste, and add any additional salt or lime juice if needed.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour to let the flavors set.
- Serve with tortilla chip, on tacos, or on grilled chicken or fish.
Notes
- Fresh pineapple is really best in this recipe. Don't use canned pineapple.
- The recipe calls for jarred jalapeno slices because they are easier to work with than fresh jalapenos, but you can certainly use fresh instead for an even better result.
- A good shortcut for chopped cilantro is the lightly dried cilantro made by Gourmet Garden. You can find it at many grocery, Walmart, and Target stores.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Carrie Robinson
I just love the sweetness that the pineapple adds to this! 🙂 Pass me a chip- I want to dig right in!
Elizabeth
And now I need fish tacos! LOL. This looks amazing. I absolutely love pineapple pico de gallo. Thanks for the great recipe.
Maggie
This pineapple pico looks so flavorful and so delicious. Must give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth
I like this twist on traditional pico de gallo. I'm going to add extra jalapenos to give it more of a spicy kick!
Neha
How fresh and refreshing this pico de gallo looks! Love the addition of pineapple in it too.