This Pineapple Salsa blends sweet, sour, and spicy for a unique, zingy topping for tacos and more.
You might not think of salsa this way, but it’s the perfect diet condiment. Typical salsa—the kind you make at home; I can’t vouch for the store-bought kind—only contains produce and is low in fat and calories. It’s flavored with minimal salt, as most of the flavor comes from the lime juice, cilantro, onions, tomato, and other vegetables. Salsa is the first thing on my prep list when I’m ready to shed a few pounds because it easily takes the place of plenty of unhealthier dips and sauces in my fridge.
Salsa comes in lots of different styles, too. Fruit salsas are particularly interesting to me because they can satisfy a sweet tooth I will inevitably have during a dieting period. Some fruits are incredible when added to savory foods, so swapping the usual salsa tomatoes out for fruits like mango or pineapple is a no-brainer.
This pineapple salsa recipe omits the tomatoes and uses the zingy tropical fruit in its place. The natural sweetness from the fresh pineapple is an incredible pairing with the spicy heat of jalapeño pepper, and the lime juice complements the sweet-and-spicy flavor perfectly. Think of this recipe the next time you’re buying tortilla chips for a party, and grab a pineapple while you’re there!
Is This Pineapple Salsa Healthy?
Yep! The pineapple makes up most of the volume of this salsa, and pineapple is high in fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and other nutrients. It’s low in fat and relatively low-calorie. Jalapeños contain lots of vitamin C, as do red bell peppers. Red peppers are also a good source of vitamin A. Cilantro and red onion offer small amounts of vitamin K and vitamin B6, respectively. Overall, pineapple salsa is low-calorie and low-fat, vegan, and gluten-free, so it’s suitable for many diets.
Balance Sweet And Spicy
One of the best parts about homemade salsa is that it’s entirely within your power to tweak the spice level as you see fit. As written, this recipe is fairly mild, as the jalapeño seeds and membranes are removed. If you want it to be a little extra spicy, leave a few seeds in as you chop up the jalapeño. You can also add more jalapeños if you want lots more spicy heat.
On the other hand, if you prefer a sweeter fruit salsa, you can reduce the amount of jalapeño, so the sweetness of the pineapple stands out. Feel free to even add a dash of honey for more sweetness and flavor.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Freezing this salsa will likely change the texture of the fresh produce, so I don’t recommend it.
Serving Suggestions
Just like any salsa, pineapple salsa goes well with tortilla chips. You can always try your hand at making your own at home with this Air-Fryer Tortilla Chips recipe, or try some Keto Tortilla Chips.
But pineapple salsa can be used for a lot more than just tortilla chips. My favorite use for this salsa is on top of seafood-filled tacos, such as Fish Tacos or Shrimp Tacos. I also think it’s lovely on top of different types of rice bowls, like Salmon Bowls, or to jazz up basic dishes like Spanish Rice And Beans.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced pineapple, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with fresh lime juice and sprinkle with salt. Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
- Allow the salsa to sit for about 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment