Looking for an elevated side dish to serve up next to your favorite nachos, tacos, or fajitas? You'll love this fresh and fruity twist on a classic pico with my Pineapple Pico de Gallo recipe.
It's the perfect tropical pairing for tacos, grilled meats, or as a dip. Plus it's easy-to-make with only 5 fresh ingredients!
One of my favorite things to bring or serve at any party is a great dip! A fresh salsa recipe, corn dip, and pico de Gallo are some of the easiest homemade options during hot summer months. Especially served with a refreshing drink like a Limoncello Spritz or Spicy Margarita!
The vibrant colors scream summer and it really is a great way to brighten up an otherwise hearty dish, like pulled pork nachos! The sweetness of pineapple is a great way to balance the zesty lime juice, red onion, and spicy jalapeño peppers.
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Why You'll Love It!
Pico de Gallo is a classic Mexican salsa that's typically a blend of tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime juice. But, for this fun twist I'm adding in ripe pineapple!
Pineapple pico is versatile, easy to make, and can be paired with a variety of dishes. I love that it takes otherwise basic ingredients and turns it into something special to serve friends and family! Here's why I think you'll love it too...
- 5 ingredients! Who doesn't love something with just a handful of ingredients?!
- Quick to prep and mix together. It's done in about 5 minutes as well, so no need to spend hours in the kitchen.
- One bowl recipe. Less dishes...need I say more?
- Perfect for prepping ahead of time. This pineapple version gets better as it sits in the fridge, so prep this overnight for the perfect fruity salsa. It stores well for 2-3 days in the fridge!
- Healthy snack! Fresh fruit salsa is so refreshing. I love serving this with my favorite tortilla chips or even over some room temperature cream cheese for an incredible appetizer!
Important Ingredients
Arguably, since this pico recipe only has 5 simple ingredients, they are all important! So here's what you need to make fresh pico de Gallo.
- Pineapple - slice your own whole pineapple or purchase pre-diced pineapple but just make sure it's fresh for the best texture and the perfect tropical touch!
- Lime juice - again, just trust me on this one. Fresh lime juice is best for making this easy dish pop with vibrant flavors.
- Fresh Jalapeños - I leave the seeds in for mine, but you can definitely adjust this to your preferred spice level by removing the seeds for less heat.
- Red onion - I typically buy this pre-diced in my produce aisle just to save some time! You could also swap in shallots if you want something a little more mild.
- Fresh Cilantro
Swaps & Substitutions
Homemade pico de Gallo is so easy to customize, so if you don't have these exact ingredients feel free to put your own twist on this fresh pineapple pico de Gallo with these similar ingredients.
- Yellow onion, shallots, or green onions instead of red onion. I just suggest you choose a sweet onion like this vs a really strong white onion.
- Serrano peppers or habanero pepper are perfect for a spicier pico de Gallo.
- Fresh parsley in place of cilantro (some people aren't a huge fan of cilantro!)
- Other tropical fruits like fresh mango instead of pineapple. I love a fruit salsa on top of salmon tacos or fish tacos! Mango salsa is a huge hit in our house!
- Add in fresh, ripe tomatoes! Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes are the perfect addition to the tropical flavors here in homemade salsa.
- Red bell pepper is a perfect accompaniment to pineapple pico de Gallo salsa.
So depending on the type of salsa you are going for, there are so many ways to make this one your very own!
Check out the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Chop all ingredients and add everything to a mixing bowl.
Step 2
Pour in lime juice and stir to combine. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 3
Serve with your favorite chips and enjoy!
Pro Tip!
- For the best flavor, let the pico de gallo sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- if you are short on time or just hate chopping and dicing, feel free to add everything to a food processor and pulse 3-5 times. Just don't over process it and you'll have the perfect pico texture!
Tips and Tricks
I've made this spicy salsa tons of times and it always has my guests asking for the recipe. Here are some of my tips for the perfect pineapple pico!
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the taste. Fresh pineapple are key to achieving that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Adjust the Heat: If you like it spicy, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add a second one. For a milder version, use less or remove the seeds entirely.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other fruits like mango or avocado for a unique twist. A dash of cumin or a pinch of chili powder can also add an extra layer of flavor.
What to Serve with Pineapple Pico?
Pineapple pico de gallo is incredibly versatile and pairs well with many of you favorite Mexican dishes. Here are a few ideas on how you can serve this up with some of my favorite recipes:
- Tacos: Top your fish, chicken, or pork tacos with a generous spoonful of pineapple pico de gallo for a burst of freshness.
- Grilled Meats: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, or southwest shrimp bowls for a fruity complement to the smoky flavors.
- Chips and Dip: Enjoy it as a dip with tortilla chips for a light and refreshing snack.
- Salads: Mix it into a green salad for a pop of color and flavor!
Recipe FAQ
The main difference between salsa and pico de Gallo is how the ingredients are prepared! For salsa, it's a blended version of tomato, jalapeño, onion, and cilantro. While pico de Gallo is typically chopped by hand!
Typical ingredients for pico de Gallo are tomato, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and salt.
Absolutely! This recipe tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge so feel free to make this dip a day or two ahead of time.
In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days!
Related Recipes
If you tried this 5 Ingredient Pineapple Pico De Gallo , or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Pineapple Pico de Gallo Recipe - 5 Ingredients!
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple. Peeled cored and diced.
- 1 red onion diced
- ½ a jalapeno seeded and diced
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Start by dicing the fresh pineapple into small pieces. Ensure that the pieces are small and uniform for the best texture!
- On a cutting board, finely chop the red onion and cilantro. If you prefer a milder pico de gallo, remove the seeds from the jalapeño before mincing.
- In a large bowl, combine the pineapple,red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Squeeze the lime juice over the mixture and stir well.
- Add salt to your liking. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary!
- For the best flavor, let the pico de gallo sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the taste. Fresh pineapple are key to achieving that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Adjust the Heat: If you like it spicy, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add a second one. For a milder version, use less or remove the seeds entirely.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other fruits like mango or avocado for a unique twist. A dash of cumin or a pinch of chili powder can also add an extra layer of flavor.
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