Spicy Pineapple Salsa: You can easily control the amount of Heat

Tim
May 29
4 min read

Updated: Jul 1

This versatile salsa complements a variety of dishes, bringing bold, fresh flavors that create a vibrant medley to delight your palate.

Jump to Recipe

Colorful spicy pineapple salsa in a bowl with diced pineapple, red peppers, purple onions, and cilantro. The mixture displays vivid hues on a textured surface. — A vibrant bowl of freshly chopped salsa, bursting with colorful ingredients like Pineapple, red pepper, purple onions, lime and fresh cilantro.

Region: Mexico

I first discovered this salsa at an incredible barbecue in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, where my good friends Jorge and Jaime introduced me to it and generously shared the recipe. This salsa is a delicious example of the rich culinary diversity found throughout Mexico—a country full of bold flavors and vibrant traditions.

Spicy Pineapple Salsa - There won't be any left.

This vibrant pineapple salsa features sweet, smoky charred pineapple as its star ingredient, perfectly balanced by the crisp crunch of red bell pepper, the sharp bite of purple onion, and the fresh, herbal brightness of cilantro. A touch of heat from hot peppers adds just the right kick, bringing all the elements together in a bold, harmonious blend. The result is an explosion of flavors—sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory—that's as versatile as it is delicious.

Enjoy it as a lively dip with corn chips, or use it as a fresh topping to elevate grilled chicken, pork, fish, or seafood. Whether served at a backyard barbecue or as part of a vibrant taco night, this salsa is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Slices of pineapple on a black plate with lime, red bell pepper, red onion, Chili peppers, and cilantro. Blue and yellow tortilla chips nearby. — Main Ingredients

Spicy Pineapple Salsa - Recipe Ingredients

Every ingredient in this salsa contributes to a vibrant mix of flavor, color, and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

Pineapple – Charred on the barbecue to reduce moisture and enhance its natural sweetness with a caramelized finish.
Red Bell Pepper – Also charred to bring out its natural sugars and add a smoky depth.
Purple Onion – Offers a sharp, slightly sweet bite that balances the sweetness of the fruit and peppers.
Lime Juice & Zest – Adds brightness and acidity, lifting the overall flavor and tying everything together.
Hot Peppers – Jalapeños provide a mild, manageable heat, while serrano or habanero peppers can be used for a spicier kick.
Fresh Cilantro – Brings a fresh, herbal note; don’t skip the tender stems—they’re packed with flavor.
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Simple yet essential, these enhance and unify all the ingredients.

Combined, these elements create a salsa that’s bold and beautifully balanced—sweet, tangy, citrusy, spicy, and herbaceous.

Key Steps in the cooking & preparation process of Pineapple Salsa

This flavorful Spicy Pineapple Salsa comes together easily with just a barbecue and a mixing bowl. Here's a quick overview of the essential steps, with detailed instructions provided in the recipe card below. Follow along for a few tips and visuals to guide your preparation:

Grill the Pineapple & Red Pepper - Start by slicing the pineapple into long strips—thick enough to hold their shape on the grill. Cut the red pepper into quarters. Grill both on high heat until they develop nice char marks. This caramelizes the natural sugars, adding a rich, smoky depth to the salsa. Keeping the pieces large ensures they won’t fall through the grill grates.
Prep the Onion - While the pineapple and red pepper are grilling, finely dice the purple onion and place it in a mixing bowl. The raw onion adds a crisp, slightly sharp base to the salsa.
Chop and Combine - Once the pineapple and red pepper are nicely charred, transfer them to a cutting board and chop into small, even pieces. Add them to the bowl with the diced onion while still warm—this helps meld the flavors and slightly softens the onion for a more cohesive taste.

These simple yet important steps ensure a salsa that’s smoky, sweet, tangy, and bursting with freshness.

Grilled pineapple slices on a BBQ grill, displaying charred lines and golden color. The setting suggests a casual outdoor cooking scene. — Pineapple slices charred on the barbeque. Notice the ~ half inch thickness as well as the amount of char.

Diced grilled pineapple in a green bowl and chopped red onions in a white bowl on a wooden table. Bright, fresh ingredients. — Pineapple finely diced. Notice that the size of the Pineapple and Onion are similar.

Chopped red peppers in a green bowl on a wooden table with a white plate holding green herbs above. Bright colors create a fresh vibe. — Adding the chopped cilantro and Red Bell Pepper. Notice the size of the Pepper is the same as the other ingredients.

Alternatives to the Suggested Ingredients

This recipe has a few options and alternatives for the Hot Peppers. Please see the Recipe Card below for more detail.

Spicy Pineapple Salsa - Preparation, Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This salsa is incredibly versatile and convenient, making it perfect for both casual meals and entertaining guests. It can be prepared ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully as it rests. Serve it at room temperature for a more pronounced flavor, or chilled straight from the refrigerator for a refreshing contrast—ideal for warm weather gatherings or make-ahead party planning.

As an appetizer, it’s a crowd-pleaser when served with crispy corn chips, offering a sweet and spicy alternative to traditional dips. As part of a main course, the salsa pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted meats, fish, or seafood—adding a vibrant, tropical twist to dishes like chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or seared shrimp. It also makes an excellent topping for tacos, adding layers of flavor and texture to everything from meat to grilled fish or veggie tacos.

Want to fuse bold global flavors? Try pairing my Asian Inspired Fish and Shrimp Cakes with this vibrant Mango Salsa—where East Asia meets Mexico in a delicious, cross-cultural bite.

No matter how you serve it, this salsa adds a fresh, flavorful punch that elevates any dish it accompanies.