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5-Ingredient Grilled Pineapple Salsa

This grilled pineapple salsa is super easy to make and jam packed with flavor. Takes only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes!

pineapple salsa in a bowl with a spoon
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Fresh and Flavorful Grilled Salsa

One of my all-time favorite things to do in the summer is have a BBQ with friends and family. I love grilling out and this grilled pineapple salsa is a tropical explosion of flavors from the smoky charred pineapple to the vibrant bell pepper and zesty lime. It’s an irresistible combination of sweet and spicy notes!

This pineapple salsa recipe is absolutely tantalizing and full of fresh flavor. If you’ve never had grilled pineapple before, you have to give it a shot! It’s super easy and gives the fruit the most wonderful taste.

This salsa would make a refreshing appetizer at your next summer gathering or it makes the best tangy topping for grilled chicken, fish or pork. Plus it’s made with just 5 simple ingredients in just 15 minutes. You can’t beat that!

Recipe Ingredients

Pineapple salsa ingredients on cutting board.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Pineapple: The sweet and tart flavors of this tropical fruit really shine after a quick sear on the grill.
  • Red onion: Grilling lets the onion caramelizes a bit and let some sweetness come through.
  • Bell pepper: The necessary crunch and freshness of this pepper pulls it all together.
  • Cilantro: A much-needed herb that adds brightness to the salsa.
  • Lime Juice: The glue that pulls it all together and gives a necessary touch of acid.
  • Salt + Pepper: The traditional seasonings that accentuate the natural flavors.

Choosing the Perfect Pineapple to Grill

Wondering how to pick a pineapple that’s super juicy and sweet? Below are a few tips that will help you out:

  • Color: A ripe pineapple will have a bright yellow color from top to bottom. If the color is green, it isn’t ripe enough. If the color is orange, it has most likely spoiled.
  • Texture: You want the texture of your pineapple to be on the softer side. It should give in a little when you press on it.
  • Smell: Make sure to smell the bottom of the pineapple before putting it in your cart! It should smell sweet and bright.

How to Make Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple and onion slices on the grill.
  • Grill. Quickly grill the pineapple and onion. Let cool completely before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
  • Stir. Toss together pineapple, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Chill. Cover and place in the fridge to cool before serving.

Tips + Variations

  • Make it spicy. To add heat, mix in some chopped jalapeno. You can even grill the pepper as well to give it a nice char.
  • Chop, chop, chop! To get the most goodness in each bite, you’ll want to make sure that you chop all of the ingredients into small, evenly-sized pieces.
  • Add avocado. For a fun twist, stir in 1 avocado cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
  • Grill the onion. Add the onion on the grill since it’s already fired up. It will get a nice caramelized and charred exterior, resulting in terrific flavor.
  • Non grill method. Although I highly recommend grilling the pineapple/onions for extra flavor, you could skip this part if preferred. Trust me though, it’s worth the extra step!
Pineapple salsa ingredients in a bowl.

What Goes with Pineapple Salsa

Recipe FAQs

What do I do if I don’t have a grill?

You can still get the grilled flavor by searing the pineapple and onion on the stovetop. Simply place a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Coat in oil and add pineapple and onion. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Can I use canned pineapple in this grilled pineapple salsa?

Sadly, I wouldn’t recommend it. Canned pineapple tends to contain too much moisture for good grilling and doesn’t end up working as well in the salsa. I would suggest sticking with the fresh.

Can I freeze pineapple salsa?

No. Fresh fruit salsa is not recommended to freeze as it will turn mushy when thawed.

Should I salt the pineapple before grilling?

If you would like to sprinkle it with salt that works! Just a tiny bit can help enhance the flavors in a sweet n’ salty way!

Storing Leftovers

This recipe tastes best served the first day. The pineapple has the most flavor immediately after grilling and the veggies are still crisp and delicious. You can definitely store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, however the salsa may soften a bit and get a little watered down due to the juices from the pineapple.

Pineapple salsa in a glass bowl.

Love salsa? Try these other favorites like avocado salsa recipe, black bean salsa and fruit salsa!

Other Easy Salsa Recipes

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This grilled pineapple salsa is super easy to make and jam packed with flavor – and only takes 5 ingredients to make. It's perfect for summer BBQs as either an appetizer or also tastes amazing on top of hot dogs.

Pineapple Salsa

5 from 10 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This grilled pineapple salsa is super easy to make and jam packed with flavor. Takes only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients 

  • 1 pineapple , peeled and sliced in circles (for the grill)
  • ½ red onion , sliced (for the grill)
  • ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1-2 limes , juiced
  • Salt , to taste
  • Ground black pepper , to taste
  • Jalapeno , finely diced, optional

Instructions

  • Heat the grill to medium-heat. Place the pineapple and onions onto the grill and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until light grill marks appear. Remove from the grill and let cool.
  • Once cooled, chop the pineapple and onion into 1/4-inch pieces and place in a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the bell pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. Add salt and pepper, to taste. For a little heat, add jalapeno. Stir together until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Avocado: For a fun twist, add in 1 avocado chopped into 1/2 inch pieces. 
Storage: This recipe tastes best served the first day. The pineapple has the most flavor immediately after grilling and the veggies are still crisp and delicious. You can definitely store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days, but the salsa may soften a bit and get a little watered down due to the juices from the pineapple.

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

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