Grilled Pineapple Salsa

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This Grilled Pineapple Salsa made with sweet grilled pineapple, jalapeno peppers, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice is the perfect topping for tacos, grilled meats, tortilla chips, and more.

47 CAL 12g CARBS 0g FAT 1g PROTEIN
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With the perfect combination of spicy and sweet, Grilled Pineapple Salsa is the dreamiest addition to all your favorite summer dishes. This homemade salsa is made with vibrant ingredients like grilled pineapple, jalapeno peppers, fresh cilantro, and lime juice for a flavor explosion in every bite. It's amazing on tacos and tostadas

If you've been looking for the perfect summer salsa to upgrade your favorite dishes to the next level, this is the one. It is so good with these Chicken Street Tacos, one of our favorite quick and easy meals. 

This recipe for pineapple salsa is easy to make, bursting with flavor, and comes together in under 10 minutes. It also keeps well in the fridge, so you can save it to pair with different dishes all week long. Trust me, you're going to want to make enough for leftovers.

During the summertime, I love experimenting with different salsas. From savory salsas like this Corn Salsa to tangy and sweet salsas like this Mango Black Bean Salsa and or super spicy habanero salsa, it would be an understatement to say that I enjoy a good salsa. We serve them with grilled meats, seafood, and a fun appetizer with chips.

Lately, we have been making this grilled salsa with pineapple on repeat. It is so good paired with blackened steak or grilled chicken. We love spooning it over fish tacos for a refreshing twist and piled high on these Ceviche Tostadas.

There are so many ways to enjoy this vibrant and delicious Pineapple Salsa, so don't be afraid to get creative!

Steps for making pineapple salsa including grilled pineapple, lime juice, red peppers, serrano peppers, and cilantro.

Key Ingredients

To bring this zesty homemade grilled pineapple salsa to life, you will need the following key ingredients:

  • Pineapple: This tropical fruit is the star of our homemade salsa. It's loaded with antioxidants and a bright, sweet flavor that is enhanced after being grilled. Fresh pineapple is best since it is being cooked on the grill. Canned pineapple will fall apart. 
  • Peppers: I like to use a combination of jalapeno peppers and red bell peppers for the perfect amount of heat and sweetness. For more heat, feel free to use serrano chiles or even habanero peppers. For less heat, remove the seeds and veins from the jalapeno peppers or use poblano peppers. 
  • Fresh cilantro: This fresh herb adds a ton of bright flavor to this dish. I don't recommend using dried cilantro, as it wouldn't do this salsa justice as fresh cilantro does. If you don't like cilantro, try using fresh basil or mint instead.
  • Lime juice: This is what ties everything together. The acidity in the lime juice enhances all of the flavors and makes them taste even fresher.
  • Red onion: With a mildly sharp bite and a bold crunch, it's no wonder why this ingredient is a common addition to most homemade salsas. For a milder onion flavor, soak the onions in cold water for 15-20 minutes before adding them to the salsa.

How to Grill Pineapple

Grilling pineapple couldn't be easier. Start by cutting the pineapple into rings, half circles, or long strips. You can remove the core or simply cut around it once the pineapple is grilled.

If your pineapple isn't fully ripe, brush the pineapple with brown sugar and let it rest for 10 minutes. This helps bring out the sweetness of the pineapple and also helps it caramelize on the grill. Skip this step if your pineapple is ripe. You don't want the salsa to be too sweet. 

Make sure your grill is clean and lightly oil the grates. Place the pineapple directly on the grates and cook for 2-4 minutes per side until nice grill marks have formed and the pineapple starts to brown and caramelize. Flip and repeat.

Recipe Ideas and Variations

Here are some of my favorite ways to switch up this dish:

  • Use a different fruit. If you want to switch up the flavor profile, try using a different fresh fruit. Peaches, grilled mangoes, and papaya all work well here.
  • Switch up the herb. Not a fan of cilantro? Try swapping it out for another fresh herb like basil, parsley, or mint.
  • Adjust the heat. For a spicier dish, feel free to adjust the number of peppers you use and add more as needed. To decrease the heat, use fewer peppers or use poblano peppers. 
  • Add avocado: Add a mild and creamy element by adding some freshly chopped avocado to this recipe.
  • Add black beans: Try this out with some canned black beans for a heartier salsa.
  • Add cooked shrimp: If you are serving this as an appetizer with chips, add some chopped cooked shrimp right to the salsa. It is so good, kind of like a tropical shrimp ceviche

What to Serve With Pineapple Salsa

As with any fresh salsa, this dish is great for pairing with dishes like grilled meats, tacos, rice bowls, and salads. Personally, I love using this salsa to top grilled chicken, steak, and fish. If you're in need of some inspiration on what to pair with this dish, these are my favorite dishes to serve with pineapple salsa:

How to Store Grilled Pineapple Salsa

If you make too much of this delicious salsa, don't fret! It keeps very well in the fridge and can be used all week in tacos, salads, rice bowls, and as a flavorful dip for chips. To store this dish, simply transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to a week. I wouldn't recommend freezing this dish, as it will get watery and mushy when thawed out.

Pineapple serrano salsa with cilantro, red onion, lime juice, and grilled pineapple in a wooden bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this delicious homemade salsa:

When properly stored in an airtight container, fresh salsa will stay good in the fridge for up to 1 week. If, after a few days, you find that the dish needs a bit of freshening up, simply squeeze some more lime juice on top and toss to coat.

When choosing a pineapple, you want to make sure that the outside is firm with a slight give when squeezed. The exterior should have a green-yellow hue and bright green leaves. If you’re still unsure, give it a whiff. If the pineapple is ripe, the bottom will smell sweet. Unripe pineapples won’t have an odor, so this is an easy way to choose a good one.

If you want to switch up the flavor of your salsa, there are several different fruits that will work well. In addition to pineapple, some of my favorite fruits to use in salsa include peaches, mangoes, papayas, and strawberries.

Blackened steak tacos with pineapple salsa in a flour tortilla in a metal taco holder.
The Recipe
Grilled pineapple salsa served on steak tacos with chopped grilled pineapple, serrano peppers, red onion, red bell pepper, lime juice, and cilantro in a wooden bowl.

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

47 CAL 12g CARBS 0g FAT 1g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 10 Min
TOTAL TIME: 15 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 pineapple
  • 2 serrano peppers, seeded and diced (or jalapeno for less heat, more it less to taste)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 lime, juice
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

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1

Heat a grill or cast iron grill pan over medium high heat. Remove the peel from the pineapple. Cut into ¼” thick strips. Place on the grill plate and grill 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Pineapple grilling on a cast iron skillet.
2

Thinly slice and seed serrano. Dice the red onion and red bell pepper. Finely chop the pineapple and cilantro.

Ingredients for grilled pineapple salsa chopped and added to a glass bowl.
3

Combine serrano peppers, red onion, pineapple, and cilantro in a bowl. Add juice from 1 lime, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.

Pineapple salsa with cilantro, red peppers, red onion, serrano peppers, and lime juice in a bowl.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 47
Calories from Fat 1
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g
0%
Saturated Fat 0g
0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 252mg
11%
Total Carbohydrate 12g
4%
Dietary Fiber 2g
7%
Sugars 8g
Protein 1g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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