Pineapple Watermelon Salsa

This Pineapple Watermelon Salsa is made with seasonal fruit and veggies for a light and refreshing appetizer that is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Serve it with chips, on top of fish tacos, and over grilled meats for backyard barbecues, summer picnics, and more!

I know you’ve heard of pineapple salsa, and you’ve probably heard of watermelon salsa, too. BUT, have you heard of Pineapple Watermelon Salsa? If not, you’re going to want to keep scrolling down, because y’all, this recipe is so good! 

In fact, it’s quickly becoming a go-to in my house, and I guarantee it will be a new favorite recipe of yours, too. Afterall, there’s no bad time to eat it nor a wrong way to serve it. We’ve used it with everything from Stone Baked Tortilla Chips, to Grilled Adobo Chicken Burgers, and Fish Tacos! Actually, if I’m being completely honest, we’ve even eaten it with a spoon. Seriously, it’s that good!

The sweet flavors of the fruit are perfectly balanced with the heat of jalapeños and red onions for an incredible combo that is not only tasty and refreshing but also super healthy. Even better, this easy pineapple salsa comes together in just 3 simple steps and doesn’t require you to turn on the stove. 

That’s enough talking for now, though. Let’s start by gathering your ingredients! 

Pineapple Salsa Ingredients & Why They’re Good for You

Bell Pepper – Primarily composed of water, bell peppers are low in calories but high in vitamins and nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, Potassium, and Folate.

Watermelon – The health benefits of watermelon are more plentiful than you might think! In addition to containing important vitamins, watermelon is full of carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lycopene, and contains an important amino acid known as citrulline. 

Pineapple – This nutrient powerhouse is an excellent source of antioxidants, can help improve digestion, increases your immunity, reduces inflammation, and more largely thanks to an enzyme known as bromelain which helps to break down proteins in the digestive system preventing gas and bloating while also promoting regularity. 

Red Onion – Rich in anthocyanins, consuming red onions can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. 

Jalapeño – Containing a beneficial compound known as capsaicin, jalapenos have high amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 to help keep your skin healthy, protect against ulcers, and fight infections just to name a few benefits.

Rice Vinegar – More or less free of calories, rice vinegar adds a sweet flavor to recipes. However, if you don’t have it on hand, sherry wine will do the trick, too!

Fresh Cilantro – Also known as Coriander, Cilantro can help lower blood sugar, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of heart disease, and prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Lime Juice – Consuming lime juice from just one medium-sized lime provides over 20% of your daily need for vitamin C to help boost your immunity and improve your skin health. 

How to Make Easy Pineapple Salsa with Watermelon, Too! 

This pineapple salsa recipe is so simple, you’re going to think it’s too good to be true, but believe it! All you have to do is chop the fruits and veggies. Then, as with my Chipotle Peach Salsa, place them in a large non-reactive bowl, mix in the cilantro, add a dash of lime juice, and stir. Top it off with salt and pepper to taste, and let your salsa refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 

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Tips and Tricks to Pick the Perfect Fruit

Picking out the best ripe pineapples and watermelon at the grocery store or farmer’s market can be a challenge. Luckily, there are a few signs to look for in order to guarantee your fruit is always sweet and ready to eat. 

Pineapple – When sorting through the various pineapples at your local store, there are 5 key tips to remember. First, check the color of the leaves. You want them to be a bright green color. The leaves start out a yellow color and turn green as they ripen. Next, give the fruit a gentle squeeze. The outside should be firm but give just slightly when squeezed. Then, smell it! If it smells like pineapple, chances are it’s going to taste like it too. What you want to avoid is smelling nothing at all as this will result in flavorless fruit. While you’re smelling it, be sure to assess its weight. The heavier the pineapple feels, the better it will taste, and last but not least, pull the leaves. If they come out easily, your pineapple is ready to eat! 

Watermelon – With a few obvious differences, the process of picking out watermelon is very similar to that of a pineapple. First, look for stripes. The stronger the pattern and richer the colors, the sweeter the watermelon will taste. Then, find the field spot indicating the side on which the melon laid in the field. You want to avoid white or very light yellow patches and instead opt for those that are a creamy yellow color. Also, keep an eye out for any veins or weathering lines as they indicate where sugar has tried to seep out of the fruit and indicate the sweetest of the sweet. Next, knock on the melon. If it gives off a deep and hollow sound, it is going to be more ripe than one that sounds dense. Last but not least, weigh your melon. If like pineapple, it feels heavy for its size, you’ve likely got yourself a winner! 

All Your Pineapple & Watermelon Salsa Questions Answered

Even more great salsa recipes

• Avocado Cranberry Salsa
• Sweet and Spicy Fresh Salsa
• Honey Chipotle Peach Salsa
• Easy Vegan Salsa Con Queso

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I told you this was an easy pineapple salsa recipe, didn’t I? If you make it, I would love it if you let me know how you chose to eat it in the comments below! 

Cheers, 

LC