Grilled Pineapple Salsa

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!

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:

• Easy Chicken Soft Tacos
• Honey Garlic Chicken
• Easy Fish Tacos with Lime Slaw
• Grilled Vegetable Skewers
• Grilled Lemon Pepper Mahi Mahi
• Baked Tortilla Chips
• Slow Cooker Tri Tip Tacos

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.