Spicy Pineapple Chipotle Salsa Recipe

Fiery Pineapple Chipotle Salsa Recipe: Tropical Heat Blast!

Summers burst with vibrant flavors, and this spicy pineapple chipotle salsa breathes life into every gathering.

Sweet tropical notes dance with smoky chipotle peppers, creating a zesty symphony of taste.

Fresh ingredients merge in a colorful blend that promises to awaken your palate.

Chopped pineapple chunks intermingle with fiery chili, offering a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Each spoonful delivers a punch of refreshing complexity that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Crisp, bright, and boldly seasoned, this salsa stands ready to elevate your next meal from simple to spectacular.

Prepare to be amazed by how a few fresh ingredients can create such an unforgettable culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients That Make Pineapple Chipotle Salsa Shine

For Fruits and Vegetables:
  • Pineapple: Brings sweet, tangy tropical flavor with juicy texture, choose ripe golden fruit without brown spots or soft areas.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and crisp crunch, select firm peppers with smooth, glossy skin and no blemishes.
  • Red Onion: Provides sharp, zesty undertone and beautiful purple hue, pick firm onions with tight, papery skin.
  • Jalapeño: Delivers spicy kick and fresh heat, choose peppers with deep green color and smooth surface.
  • Cilantro: Contributes bright, fresh herbal notes, look for bright green leaves without wilting or yellowing.
For Spice and Heat:
  • Chipotle Pepper: Introduces smoky, complex heat with rich depth, select peppers packed in adobo sauce for intense flavor.
  • Adobo Sauce: Enhances smoky undertones and provides additional moisture, choose high-quality jarred sauce.
For Seasoning and Acid:
  • Lime Juice: Balances flavors with tangy brightness, use freshly squeezed for maximum zest.
  • Salt: Amplifies overall taste profile and helps blend ingredients.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and slight background heat.

Tools You’ll Use for Making Pineapple Chipotle Salsa

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing all salsa ingredients together.
  • Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for dicing and chopping fresh produce.
  • Sharp chef's knife: Crucial for precise and clean cuts of pineapple, peppers, and onions.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps add exact amounts of lime juice, salt, and pepper.
  • Citrus juicer: Optional tool for easily extracting fresh lime juice.
  • Small spoon: Useful for removing seeds from jalapeño and mixing ingredients thoroughly.

How to Combine Pineapple and Chipotle Into Salsa

  • Chop Fresh Produce

Slice pineapple into tiny cubes, creating vibrant golden pieces. Finely dice red bell pepper and red onion into small, uniform chunks.

  • Prepare Spicy Elements

Carefully mince chipotle pepper and jalapeño, releasing their fiery essence. These will add a bold kick to your salsa.

  • Create Flavor Fusion

Toss all chopped ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl. Splash in zesty lime juice, sprinkle salt and black pepper, then gently stir to combine.

  • Let Flavors Dance

Allow salsa to rest for 10-15 minutes, giving ingredients time to mingle and develop a harmonious taste profile.

  • Serve With Excitement

Pair this tangy-spicy salsa with grilled meats, crispy fish tacos, succulent pork, or enjoy with crunchy tortilla chips as a vibrant appetizer.

Variations to Boost the Sweet and Smoky Flavors

  • Let the salsa sit for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance the depth and complexity of flavors, allowing the lime juice and spices to fully blend.
  • Adjust the heat by removing chipotle pepper seeds or reducing the amount of jalapeño for a milder version, perfect for those with sensitive taste buds.
  • Prepare the salsa up to 24 hours in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to develop even more intense flavors.
  • Create a low-carb version by serving as a topping for grilled proteins instead of with chips, or use as a vibrant garnish for salads and grain bowls.
  • Freeze excess salsa in small portions for up to 2 months, providing a quick tropical flavor boost to future meals whenever needed.

Serving Salsa With Chips, Chicken, or Tacos

  • Tropical Taco Night Companion: Pair this zesty salsa with grilled fish tacos for a vibrant, fresh meal that bursts with sweet and spicy flavors.
  • Protein Power Topper: Spoon over grilled chicken or pork to transform simple proteins into a delicious, restaurant-worthy dish with bright, tangy notes.
  • Snack Attack Dip: Serve with crispy tortilla chips at parties or game nights for an irresistible appetizer that will have guests coming back for more.
  • Salad Sprinkle Sensation: Use as a unique topping for mixed green salads or grain bowls to add a punch of tropical flavor and exciting texture.

Storing Pineapple Chipotle Salsa After a Party

  • Let your salsa sit in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to enhance its taste profile, allowing ingredients to blend beautifully.
  • Store in an airtight glass container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor transfer from other foods.
  • Keep salsa chilled below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth and maintain crisp texture of fresh ingredients.
  • Drain excess liquid before serving to ensure salsa remains chunky and doesn't become watery, especially when using as a topping or dip.
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Spicy Pineapple Chipotle Salsa Recipe

Spicy Pineapple Chipotle Salsa Recipe


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4.5 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Spicy Mexican pineapple chipotle salsa dances with sweet and smoky flavors, blending tropical fruit and bold chili heat. Summer gatherings will delight in this zesty condiment that brings electric freshness to grilled meats and tacos.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (473 ml) pineapple, fresh, diced
  • ½ cup (118 ml) red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup (118 ml) red onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup (59 ml) cilantro, fresh, chopped
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (adjust for spice level)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) adobo sauce (from the can)
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional for extra heat)
  • 1 lime, juice of
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper

Instructions

  1. Ingredient Preparation: Meticulously dice pineapple into uniform cubes, finely chop red bell pepper and red onion into precise, small pieces, and carefully mince chipotle pepper and jalapeño with a sharp knife.
  2. Flavor Fusion: Transfer all chopped ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl, gently incorporating pineapple, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro with a smooth, folding motion.
  3. Seasoning Enhancement: Drizzle fresh lime juice over the mixture, then sprinkle salt and cracked black pepper, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors and creating a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.
  4. Flavor Melding: Allow salsa to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, enabling ingredients to marinate and intensify their collective taste profile, which develops a more complex and integrated flavor experience.
  5. Serving Suggestions: Present this vibrant salsa alongside grilled chicken, crispy fish tacos, succulent pork dishes, or as a zesty dip with crunchy tortilla chips, offering a versatile and exciting condiment for various culinary applications.

Notes

  • Adjust chipotle and jalapeño quantities based on your spice tolerance; start with less and gradually add more for controlled spiciness.
  • Cut pineapple and vegetables into consistent, small pieces to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
  • Allow salsa to rest 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance flavor integration and let ingredients harmonize.
  • Swap cilantro for parsley if needed, or use as a low-carb, gluten-free topping for protein dishes and salads.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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