This Pineapple Habanero Salsa is fresh, bold and spicy! Fresh, ripe tomatoes pair with spicy peppers and sweet pineapple to create the perfect dip!
*Originally published June 15, 2022 and updated with new copy and photos 1/19/23.
I don't know about you, but I am a huge salsa lover! I always fill up on chips and salsa before the main meal arrives. It is an addiction and I just can't help it! I love that salsa has so many variations. This Pineapple Habanero Salsa is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It is refreshing and yet it will make you sweat just a little bit. You will love this salsa, it is perfect for when the weather starts to warm up in the Summer and your garden is producing fresh tomatoes, it is perfect!
For some other great salsa recipes, check out this Easy Roasted Mango Habanero Salsa, this Fresh Garden Salsa Verde or this Mango Pico de Gallo!
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Why You'll Love This Pineapple Habanero Salsa
- This pineapple habanero salsa has a kick!
- This recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make.
- The sweet and tangy pineapple, fresh cilantro, and lime juice complement the heat from the habanero peppers.
- This salsa recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Pineapple Habanero Salsa is delicious served with tortilla chips or on top of tacos.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Roma Tomatoes- Roma tomatoes are the best tomatoes for salsas because they have a lower water content, less gel, fewer seeds, and meaty flesh. However feel free to use whatever tomato you have on hand.
- Red Onion- Red Onions will add color and a nice bite to the salsa. Perfect for eating raw. However, feel free to use whatever onions you have on hand.
- Cilantro- Cilantro comes in and adds great flavor to this recipe. However, if you are one of those people who find the taste of cilantro "soapy" feel free to leave it out.
- Pineapple- I used fresh pineapple in this recipe and have not tried it with frozen or canned pineapple so I cannot recommend it.
A complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
Instructions
Quick Overview
- Dice the pineapple, tomatoes and onion
- Add the diced habaneros
- Add the cilantro and lime juice
- Stir to combine
Step By Step Instructions
Step One: Finely dice the pineapple, tomatoes, and onion.
Step Two: Using gloves, slice the habaneros in half and remove the seeds. Finely dice and add to the bowl with the pineapple.
Step Three: Add the lime juice, salt, and diced cilantro
Step Four: Mix well, taste, and add more lime juice or salt as needed. Serve with your favorite chips!
Hint: If you want to make your salsa spicier, feel free to leave the seeds in the habaneros!
Variations
- Extra Spicy - Leave the seeds in the habanero to kick the heat up a notch!
- Bell Peppers - Give this salsa a little more body by adding a red and green bell pepper!
- Mango or Peach - Try swapping the pineapple for mango or peach to give it more of a flair!
Recipe Serving Suggestions
This salsa goes great with tortilla chips or as a topping on your favorite tacos. Here are some serving ideas for this salsa:
- Tortilla Chips
- Celery
- Carrots
- Corn Chips
- Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
Storage
Store leftover salsa in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. This is also the perfect make-ahead dish as it becomes more flavorful as it sits. I like to make mine a day before I plan to serve it!
I do not recommend storing leftover Pineapple Habanero Salsa in the freezer.
Top tips
- Make sure to use fresh pineapple. Fresh pineapple will bring brightness and acidity that canned pineapple or frozen pineapple just can't replicate. However, I like to make this recipe easy by buying prepped fresh pineapple from the grocery store's produce section.
- Taste and adjust the flavors. It is always key to taste your recipe before serving. If needed, add more salt or lime to taste.
- If you don't like spice, you can omit the habanero or swap it for jalapeno.
- Handling the peppers can cause a burning sensation on your skin. I encourage you to wear gloves while cutting these up.
Recipe FAQ's
This salsa does have a slight kick from the peppers but it isn't too spicy. If you prefer it spicier, you can leave the seeds in the habaneros. If you want it less spicy, you can swap the habanero for a milder pepper such as a jalapeno.
This pineapple salsa is made with fresh tomatoes, pineapple, onion, lime juice, salt and cilantro.
Peppers are measured in Scoville units. Habaneros sits around 100,000-350,000 Scoville Units. This places it firmly in the extra-hot zone of the scale. However, it still falls well under the very hot zone reserved for such peppers such as the Carolina Reaper or Ghost Pepper.
Other Great Recipes You Will Love!
The BEST Pineapple Habanero Salsa
Equipment
- 1 cutting board
- 1 chef knife
- 1 Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 Small Red Onion
- 2 cups Fresh Pineapple Chunks
- 5 Roma Tomatoes
- ¼ cup Lime Juice
- ¼ cup Cilantro
- 2 Habanero Peppers
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Finely dice the pineapple, tomatoes, and onion.
- Using gloves, slice the habaneros in half and remove the seeds. Finely dice and add to the bowl with the pineapple.
- Add the lime juice, salt, and diced cilantro
- Mix well, taste, and add more lime juice or salt as needed. Serve with your favorite chips!
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh pineapple. Fresh pineapple will bring brightness and acidity that canned pineapple or frozen pineapple just can't replicate. However, I like to make this recipe easy by buying prepped fresh pineapple from the grocery store's produce section.
- Taste and adjust the flavors. It is always key to taste your recipe before serving. If needed, add more salt or lime to taste.
- If you don't like spice, you can omit the habanero or swap it for jalapeno.
- Handling the peppers can cause a burning sensation on your skin. I encourage you to wear gloves while cutting these up.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Bernice says
Wow! I've never made my pineapple salsa with tomatoes before but it is actually really tasty. We kept on dipping and went through a whole bag of tortilla chips!
Sunrita says
Made this as a side for a BBQ invite and it sure bought me brownie points. Everyone loved it!
Nancy says
Wow such an interesting take for pineapple salsa. I've never had a blended pineapple salsa but it looks yummy and perfect with a pile of corn chips.
Lilly says
This salsa is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy! Its so delicious
Jessica says
I am a huge fan of making salsa from scratch and this recipe did not let me down. I loved the fresh flavors and thought the ratio of sweet to spicy was perfect.
Nora says
Just right! Not too sweet and not too spicy! Just perfect!
Rebecca says
Love this salsa, the sweetness of the pineapple goes so well with spice!
Mary O’Brien says
This is perfect on fish tacos. Even my heat-hating husband liked it! Winner!
Alexandra says
This salsa is delicious and the most perfect balance of flavours - sweet, savoury and spicy. I love it!
Jan says
oh yes, the flavours in this were spot on. Love it and love how easy it is to make it. Making this again
Megan says
Love pineapple and habernero together! Such a great tasting (and a little spicy) salsa.
Jean says
this pineapple salsa makes a better choice than store bought. I like the fusion of spicy habanero and sweet pineapples
Jerika says
Wow! I want to try this Pineapple Habanero Salsa already.:) Yum! I really love the ingredients you put in like tomatoes, spicy peppers and sweet pineapple. Can't wait to dig in with my nachos. Thanks!:)
Nancy says
It’s that time again where I want to eat anything not hot !! This pineapple salsa made for a great snacky meal!
Genevieve says
This pineapple salsa looks amazing! You can never go wrong with a healthy salsa for summer!