Our Pineapple Pico de Gallo adds a tropical twist to the classic Mexican Salsa Fresca. This fresh salsa is the perfect addition to your tacos, nachos, grilled veggies, quesadillas, or anything that needs a touch of freshness. Slightly spicy from the jalapeño peppers, you can customise this pineapple salsa to your taste.
Did you know that Pico de Gallo means Rooster's Beak? Can you imagine my face the first time I got offered "Pico de Gallo", being a vegetarian myself! I never expected to get served this delicious and refreshing dish. You can also call it Salsa Fresca (fresh sauce) or Salsa Cruda (raw sauce), but no matter how you call this Mexican dish, you should definitely include it in your Mexican-style dinners.
After our Mango Pico de Gallo became so popular, we wanted to try giving this recipe a new and different tropical twist, this time with pineapple, because, who doesn't love pineapple? It turned out to be just as good as our Mango salsa.
Mexican Salsas are naturally vegan and gluten-free, so if you ask me, I think they are just the perfect add-on to your BBQ spreads, picnics, or your next foodie reunion!
Ingredients
Fresh tomatoes. For your Pico de Gallo, you'll need juicy tomatoes such as Roma or plum tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are also a great choice as they tend to be sweet.
Red onion. Red onion is your best choice when it comes to fresh salsa. You can leave the sliced onion in water for a couple of minutes before adding it to the salsa if you find the taste of raw onion too sharp.
Ripe Pineapple. You can get a whole pineapple or buy already-prepared pineapple pieces. This last option can save you some time and energy involved in cutting the whole fruit!
Fresh Coriander. You will need fresh cilantro or coriander for this recipe. You can add other fresh herbs to your taste, but coriander keeps the Mexican flavors of this dish.
Jalapeño pepper (optional). If you want your salsa slightly spicy without it being too overpowering, jalapeño peppers are a great choice. Remove the seeds for an even milder version. If you prefer your salsa spicier, try to get Serrano Peppers, which have a spicier flavor. Looking for a mild, kid-friendly version? Use bell peppers.
Lime. Fresh lime juice adds to your Pico de Gallo a much-needed tanginess. Don't leave this ingredient out!
Salt.
Step-by-Step Method for Fresh Pineapple Pico de Gallo
- Finely chop tomatoes, onion, and pineapple into small cubes using a sharp knife. Finely chop the cilantro, and slice the jalapeño, if you want to add some spice. We recommend using a Mandoline to chop all the ingredients to the same size.
- Transfer all the ingredients into a large bowl, add the zesty lime juice and salt, and combine well.
- Preferably, leave the fresh salsa in the fridge to chill for at least 20 minutes, and your pineapple pico de gallo will be ready to enjoy.
Pineapple Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 red onion small
- 2 cup pineapple diced
- A handful cilantro
- 1 jalapeño pepper optional
- Juice from 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes, onion and pineapple.3 tomatoes, 1 red onion, 2 cup pineapple
- If you're adding jalapeño pepper, remove the seeds, and finely chop it. Add to with the rest of the ingredients.1 jalapeño pepper
- Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl and add the fresh chopped cilantro.A handful cilantro
- Add the lime juice and season with salt to taste.Juice from 1 lime, Salt to taste
- Chill for about 20 minutes in the fridge and serve.
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Nutrition
Variations
- Make this recipe with mango. We are big fans of Mango Pico de Gallo, so if you cannot find Pineapple, or want to try something different, mango is your perfect choice!
- Add avocado to your homemade Pico de Gallo. Avocado adds some creaminess to the fresh salsa, it's a beautiful addition!
- Use cherry tomatoes. If you cannot find Roma Tomatoes or juicy and ripe tomatoes, get cherry tomatoes as they tend to be sweeter and work great for this Mexican salsa.
- Adjust the spice. Using jalapeños will give your fresh salsa a kick, but if you are looking for something more spicy, we like adding serrano peppers, or red chilis.
Serving Suggestions
For us, the perfect combo for Pineapple Pico de Gallo is tortilla chips. Not any tortilla chips, our favorite tortilla chips are handmade tortilla chips from a small Mexican shop in town. This combination is a fantastic option for an appetizer or as a healthy snack. Of course, you can add avocado or guacamole and vegan cheese sauce to this pairing.
Other serving suggestions
- Add this great Pico de Gallo with tropical flavors to your tacos, burritos, or this easy-to-make tofu fajitas.
- Use it to top your loaded nachos.
- As a side dish for your Mexican-themed mains, such as oyster mushroom tacos, vegan quesadillas, or Mexican sopita.
Store
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and your Pineapple Salsa will be even better the next day when all the flavors have combined. It can be stored for 2-3 days.
FAQ and Tips
Can I make Pineapple Pico de Gallo ahead of time?
Yes, you can make your Pineapple Pico de Gallo ahead of time, that's what we normally do, so we allow it to cool for a few hours in the refrigerator before serving.
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh pineapple?
While we prefer fresh pineapple, you can use canned pineapple too. Canned pineapple tends to be sweeter, and we like the acidity that fresh pineapple adds to the salsa. If you use canned pineapple, drain well before adding it to the pico de gallo to prevent excess liquid.
Cindy says
My absolute new fave! I really enjoyed these pineapple pico de gallo and it's also very easy to prepare. Made these for nachos night and it was just perfect — so refreshing and the flavors especially the pineapple was just amazing!
Laura Arteaga says
Thank you Cindy! We love how fresh it tastes, happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Jake says
When I first saw this recipe I couldn't way to make it myself! Love pico de gallo but have never tried with pineapple. Needless to say, it came out amazing!! Thanks for all your tips. Will definitely be making this again for the family.
Laura Arteaga says
Glad you liked it Jake!