Pineapple Pico De Gallo

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Bright and fresh, this pineapple pico de gallo is so good on its own but is also a wonderful addition to any meal, such as tacos, burgers, burritos, and more. This sweet and tart pico de gallo comes together quickly and easily, making it the perfect refreshing side or appetizer.

This pineapple pico de gallo is such a fun take on pico de gallo. It’s bursting with sweet, tangy flavor, and you’ll want to make it all summer when pineapple is in season!

Overhead view of a plate of pineapple pico de gallo.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You can enjoy this pineapple pico de gallo on its own with some chips or serve it alongside some protein!
I’m obsessed with the pineapple’s sweet and tart flavors. It’s so summery and refreshing, so it really hits the spot on a hot summer day.
It’s an easy dish to make! You can quickly whip this up for a bbq, dinner, or just as a snack. I love it when it only takes a handful of ingredients and steps to make something that really elevates your meal. It’s totally worth it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make pineapple pico de gallo.

pineapple — when you buy a pineapple at the grocery store, make sure you select a pineapple with vibrant green leaves with a golden yellow color on the body of the pineapple. A ripe pineapple should have a sweet, fragrant aroma when you smell it, and it should give a little when you squeeze it. If it’s too firm, it’s not ripe yet. If you can’t find a ripe pineapple or there isn’t enough time for a pineapple to ripen, you can definitely just buy the peeled and core pineapples at the pre-cut fruit section of the grocery store.
roma tomatoes — I prefer using roma tomatoes as they have fewer seeds and less juice compared to other tomato varieties while still being rich in flavor. This keeps the pico de gallo from getting watery.
cilantro — if you think cilantro tastes like soap, you can skip it.
red onion — red onions have a milder flavor compared to other onion varieties like white or yellow onions, and they add a nice pop of color to the pico de gallo.
jalapeno — this is optional if you don’t want any spice. I usually remove the seeds so it is not too spicy but you can keep it in if you’d like a spicier pico de gallo. Spicier options include using a serrano or habanero pepper.
lime — fresh lime is a must. It adds such a bright, tart flavor that bottled lime juice just doesn’t replicate.
salt & pepper

How to Make Pineapple Pico De Gallo

Set of two photos showing all the ingredients added a bowl and mixed.

Add pineapple, tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, and jalapeno to a large mixing bowl.

Set of two photos showing lemon juice and salt added to the bowl.

Add lime juice, sea salt, and black pepper and toss to combine.
For the best flavor, let the mixture marinate for 15 minutes or several hours in the refrigerator before serving.

Overhead view of a bowl of pineapple pico de gallo with tortilla chips and a lime wedge inside.

Recipe Tips and Notes

Be mindful of the size you cut your ingredients into. You don’t want to mince everything, or it’ll become a salsa, but you also don’t want giant chunks. You want there to be a bit of everything in each bite you take.
Make sure you give your hands a good wash after handling the jalapeno or you might feel some tingling on your fingertips!
You can make pineapple pico de gallo without cilantro if you don’t like the flavor. Skip it entirely, or swap it for Italian parsley instead.
Take your time adding salt. I usually add half a teaspoon first, then more as needed as I taste the pico de gallo. You might need more salt than you think, but you also don’t want to add a ton at once, and it’s hard to fix a salty pico de gallo.

A close up view of pineapple pico de gallo with a lime wedge.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: store the pineapple pico de gallo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Serving Suggestions

Other than enjoying this pico de gallo with tortilla chips, here are a few recipes that I think pair wonderfully with it:

Can I use canned pineapple?

If pineapples aren’t in season and you need some bright, fresh flavors in the depths of winter, you can definitely use canned pineapples! Make sure to get canned pineapple packed in water or pineapple juices, not in syrup.