5-Minute Pineapple Habanero Salsa Recipe

Name: 5-Minute Pineapple Habanero Salsa Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 cups pineapple (diced); 1/4 cup onion (diced); 1 habanero (de-seeded and diced (you can add a second pepper if your tolerance for heat is higher)); 1/2 red bell pepper (diced); juice of 1 lime; 1/4 tsp cumin; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 handful cilantro (chopped)

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This Pineapple Habanero Salsa Recipe comes together quickly and can be modified to be sweeter or spicier depending on your preference. It's a great appetizer to serve with tortilla chips or to add to grilled chicken, fish, or pork.

pineapple habanero salsa in bowl with bowl of chips next to it.

Hello! We’ve been having so much fun this summer! Friends and family visits, vacations, lazy pool days, bike rides – it’s hard for me to stay in the kitchen during these summer months, and even harder to get me to turn on my oven. This is why I'm so head over heels for this fresh pineapple salsa and can't wait to share it with you.

This recipe will have you in and out of the kitchen in just five minutes and is the perfect pairing for your next grilling adventure or party app, alongside homemade tortillas, and bowls of other homemade dips (this cherry salsa is another fave!) and some spicy guacamole. This recipe balances spicy habanero peppers with the sweetness of the pineapple for the perfect combination of sweet heat. (And don't worry, you can adjust the amount of hot peppers you add to get just the right amount of heat for you.)

A few things that make this habanero pineapple salsa worthy of 5 minutes of your time

So quick to make!
Goes with lots of dishes! This delicious salsa pairs equally well with grilled meats like steak or pork (which is how we enjoyed it) as it does with tortilla chips.
It’s totally good for you since it's loaded with fresh fruits and veggies. And it delivers that sweet/salty/spicy combination that I’m always craving.
It's not too too hot. I love spicy food, but I love that I can customize the spice by just cutting down on the spicy habaneros. (Those little fiery habanero peppers can carry some heat, so definitely be careful if you have sensitive taste buds!)

This homemade salsa uses fresh pineapple, not canned. If you've never bought fresh pineapple before, this can feel a little intimidating (how do you even cut that thing?). But rest assured, it's a simple process, and once you have it down, you'll never buy canned again. Ready to get started? Let's go!

Key Ingredients

This pineapple jalapeno salsa uses all fresh ingredients and a few spices to give it some oomph.

labeled ingredients for pineapple habanero salsa on countertop.

Pineapple. You'll want to use fresh pineapple here, not canned. Look for a golden-colored pineapple (this tells you it's closer to being ripe) and one that smells sweet at the base.
Red Onion. A nice contrast to the sweet pineapple.
Habanero peppers. Bring on the heat! The spicy habaneros pair so well with the sweet pineapple and red bell pepper. You can increase or decrease this ingredient depending on your preference for spiciness. Feel free to substitute jalapeno peppers for a slightly less spicy salsa.
Red bell pepper. I chose red bell pepper here, but you could use any combination of fresh bell peppers.
Fresh lime juice. The lime juice brightens this dish.
Spices. Salt brings out the flavors of the fruit, and cumin adds just a little bit of warmth to the salsa.
Cilantro. I love how this herb adds a fresh flavor to the salsa. I know not everyone is team cilantro, so if you don't like it, just omit it.

How To Make This 5-Minute Pineapple Habanero Salsa Recipe

Making this spicy pineapple salsa recipe couldn't be simpler. Here's what you'll do.

Chop the pineapple. This can feel intimidating if you've never done it, but it's really very easy. Using a very sharp knife, simply chop off the top and bottom of the pineapple, then stand it up right and, in a downward motion, carefully cut off the skin a section at a time, rotating the pineapple until the entire skin has been removed. Finally, core the pineapple by simply slicing the fruit off the core (it will be that hard, fibrous ring in the middle). Dice the pineapple into small pieces. We won't be using the whole pineapple for this recipe, so you'll have a little leftover.
Chop up the red onion, habanero, and red pepper. You'll want to make sure everything is finely diced, as it will help ensure each bite has a robust combination of flavors and is easy to eat/scoop up with a chip!

diced ingredients for pineapple salsa on countertop.

Expert Tip: When handling hot peppers, be very careful and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward (or use gloves when chopping the habanero). Remnants of the capsaicin can remain on your hands and may cause a burning sensation on your skin, eyes, or anything else you touch if you don't immediately wash them thoroughly. Who knew making salsa was so dangerous!

Combine the fruit and veggies. Add the diced pineapple, red onion, and peppers to a small bowl.

red pepper, pineapple, red onion, habanero and spices in mixing bowl.

Add the lime juice. Combine your spices and lime juice, then pour over the pineapple mixture and stir to combine.
Finish and serve. Stir in your chopped cilantro, and serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

combined pineapple habanero salsa in mixing bowl with spoon on countertop.

Serving Suggestions

This pineapple and habanero salsa goes well with most Mexican dishes, but also so many other things! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:

Grilled meat or fish - I love it especially with grilled pork, but it works just as well with chicken steak, or shrimp.
In rice bowls.
In tacos. Chicken, pork, steak, or fish tacos are all great options.
On top of quesadillas.
In a burrito.
As a dip with homemade tortilla chips.

side view of pineapple habanero salsa in bowl with chips on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salsa in advance?

Yes! This salsa can be made up to a day or two in advance and can be stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

Can I use canned pineapple?

If you must, but fresh pineapple really is worth it - the taste and consistency of fresh pineapple make the salsa so much better!

How spicy is this salsa? What does it taste like?

Habaneros are spicy little peppers that pack a punch. They can be quite hot, so be careful adding too many if you're sensitive to spice and do a taste test before serving. It's also best practice to finely dice the peppers so that no one ends up with a huge chunk in one bite!

My advice, if you're nervous about the spice, is to start by adding just one pepper, taste the salsa, and then add more if you think it's needed. You can also sub in jalapeno peppers, which are a little milder, or just omit the hot peppers completely for a standard pineapple salsa.

How to store leftovers

Leftover dip will keep for about 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

This easy salsa recipe is full of fresh flavors and is a great alternative to your normal tomato-based salsa. Plus, it makes a pretty side dish on your back porch dining table.

bowl of pineapple salsa with habaneros on countertop with chips scattered around it.

If you try this Pineapple Habanero Salsa, I'd love to know what you think, so let me know in the comments below. And please tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on IG so I can see your beautiful homemade salsa!

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