fruit salsa
This recipe for Fruit Salsa is a Master Recipe of sorts. Take the basic formula and use any fruit you like! If Pineapple Salsa is your favorite, you’re in luck but this recipe is also great for Mango Salsa, Peach Salsa and pretty much every combo we tried. We even loved it when we made it with fresh strawberries! I have all the details below.
You’ll want to save this recipe for sure, because while farm fresh peaches, juicy watermelon and fresh berries are in season you’ll want to make batch after batch of this fresh fruit salsa.
The idea is simple, choose a fruit, chop it into small cubes, or dices, then add in a spicy element (either jalapeno or chipotle chili powder), chopped red onion (or scallions), lime juice, salt and cilantro. All you have to do is stir and get ready for tortilla chip dipping heaven. Or use it to top fish tacos, burrito bowl or Pan Fried Fish.
Cooked vs Fresh Salsa
There are many types of salsa, some are made with cooked or grilled ingredients and some are fresh or raw. In essence Salsa is a “sauce” of tomatoes or other fruit with chilies. Other common ingredients are onion, garlic, herbs and spices.
Cooked Salsa
Roasting or cooking the ingredients, such as the onions and tomatoes helps to break them down so they will make a smoother sauce. Additionally toasting whole chilis and spices will help to bloom their flavors.
Raw Salsa
Raw salsas have a chunkier and more rustic texture, fresh flavor and the taste of the tomatoes (or in this case the fruit) really shines through. These are often pureed in a blender. These salsas are called salsa fresca or salsa cruda in Mexico.
Pico De Gallo
- Pico De Gallo is a specific type of Raw Salsa (salsa cruda).
- The name Pico De Gallo means The beak of a rooster. It is also known as Salsa Mexicana.
- It is chunky and fresh and often not quite as spicy as cooked salsa. It is also typified by the fact that it is not as watery as other salsas, so it is often used in larger amounts as a fresh component of recipes.
What is Fruit Salsa
- Fruit salsa is a raw salsa made with fresh fruit, chilis, onion and lime juice.
- Though you can make cooked (or grilled) fruit salsa, this master fruit salsa recipe today is made with fresh fruit.
- It is a lot like Pico De Gallo, but instead of chopped tomatoes, we’ve used diced fresh fruit.
What Kind of Fruit Can I Use To Make Salsa?
The best kind of fruit to use for salsa are soft sweet fruits such as strawberries, melon and mango. We liked the texture of watermelon because while it has a crisp texture to it, it is so watery and juicy it isn’t too hard.
- In the summertime melon and stone fruit are wonderful in salsa. We also think strawberries are great.
- In wintertime use fresh citrus like I used for my Tilapia with Tangerine salsa, persimmon or tropical fruits like pineapple.
The Best Fruits For Salsa
- Peach
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- More Fruit Ideas: Cantaloupe, Plum, Nectarine, Apricot, Orange and tangerine.
Fruits To Avoid for Fruit Salsa:
- Hard and crisp fruits: such as apple or Asian pear are not juicy enough and too crisp for a salsa.
- Very soft fruits: like banana or overripe persimmon are not great in this uncooked recipe. Raspberries are a little too delicate for this recipe and turn to mush. If you want to try them try adding them to as salsa of mostly another fruit (like mango.)
- Sour fruits: Cranberries and rhubarb are too sour and need to be cooked. They would throw off the balance of the flavors.
- Note: Blueberries, grapes and cherries do work, but they should be chopped for the best texture.
When in doubt, think about the texture of a tomato, and try to pick fruits that have similar texture.
Mixed Fruit Salsa
Have fun using your imagination and you can try blending fruits, and end up with some amazing combinations!
- Keep in mind that many fruits have naturally occuring enzymes that will cause other fruits to break down.
- If you do blend fruits the salsa will be best when freshly made.
- Citrus fruits can be blended without them interacting negatively and the balance of flavors will be great!
Steps To Make Fruit Salsa
- 1. Place 2 cups finely diced fruit into a large bowl.
- 2. Add onion (or scallions) and jalapeno (or chipotle chili powder.)
- 3. Add lime juice, salt and cilantro and stir to combine.
Peach Salsa
We loved this peach salsa made with the chipotle and red onion option.
Make sure to finely dice your onion (mincing is even better) so it blends in with the ripe peach well. Peaches blend well with other stone fruits too!
We didn’t peel our peaches and loved the look of the skin, but for a smoother texture you can peel the skin off the peaches.
Serving Suggestion:
Pork and peaches are such a yummy combination, so I say try serving the peach salsa over grilled pork chops!
Mango Salsa
We liked the mango with scallion and chipotle.
Serving Suggestion:
Serve it with Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito Bowls.
Pineapple Salsa
Serving Suggestion:
As I said, I love this over pan fried fish, but it is also yummy Island Marinated Chicken (aka the Best Chicken marinade!)
Watermelon Salsa
This is one of my favorite summer treats with tortilla chips. We like the flavor of using jalapeno for the spice and the red onion for the allium.
Serving Suggestion:
Make some homemade Guacamole and set out a dipping bar at your next get-together. To get even more creative with this idea, check out this post about ways of jazzing up your guacamole 5 ways.
Strawberry Salsa
The color of the jalapeno and flavor of the fresh spice is so yummy with the fruitiness of freshly picked strawberries. We used scallion but either allium option is so pretty in contrast with the bright red fruit.
Serving Suggestion:
We had this on Instant Pot Barbacoa Bowls and everyone was raving about the combo. I think it would also be a yummy way to top grilled chicken or add to a buddha bowl for lunch. My daughters loved it with tortilla chips.
Thanks so much for reading. If you make this salsa recipe please come back and let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I really appreciate it!
Printfruit salsa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Here is a master recipe to make fruit salsa with any fruit. From mango or peach to pineapple or strawberries. You’ll love them all! It’s a fresh and healthy appetizer, snack or condiment to serve with grilled chicken or pork or to add to Mexican food recipes.
Ingredients
2 cups finely diced fruit, such as pineapple, peaches or mango
1 jalapeno pepper, minced, seeded if desired (or 1/8 tsp ground chipotle powder)
½ cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons finely chopped scallion or red onion
3 tablespoons lime juice
½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Stir fruit, jalapeno, cilantro, scallion (or red onion), lime juice and salt in a medium bowl.
Serve immediately or chill.
Notes
A Note About Watermelon
Due to its high water content, lets off a lot of juice as it sits. It is best served within an hour or two of making. If it becomes too watery, you can just pour off the excess liquid.
A Note About Papaya
Papaya salsa does not keep well. Enjoy immediately.
Mixing Fruits:
Salsas made with mixed fruits (with the exception of citrus) should be served within an hour of two of mixing together.
To Make ahead:
We liked this salsa best within the first 24 hours, but it does last three days. The fruit, onion and cilantro starts to break down after that. If you want to ensure that your salsa is not watery but want to prep this recipe ahead:
- Layer the ingredients (except salt and lime) into a re-sealable container and refrigerate up to 1 day ahead.
- Stir it together with the salt and lime just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition stats based on pineapple.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 17
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 117 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
This is exactly how I make my salsas! to excited to serve to my family!
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So glad to hear you like this one! Thanks for dropping by!
I have tried the recipe . its awesome and healthy. thank you for sharing it. I am reading your article since 1 week and preparing it, it is really healthy as well as tasty. Thank you.
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I am glad you like it! Thanks!
This is going to be perfect with all of the delicious Summer fruits! So excited to serve to my family!
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I am so happy to hear you like it Kelly! Yay!
This is a great and delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing
★★★★★
This is exactly how I make my salsas!
I LOVE salsas and make them often. You are so right.. there are unlimited ideas for how to alter them and make tasty adjustments for variety! Refreshing but can also be quite ‘picante’. YUMMY no matter what fruit! Thanks for writing it up. I want to make some watermelon salsa today. I add spearmint to mine.. Herbs are often a part of my salsas
Great post Katie!
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Love the idea of a mint burst! Yum!
Look at all these beautiful salsas, I’m in love!
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Thanks Jennifer. So glad you like them.
Love everything about your recipes. Always so fresh. Thanks
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Aw thanks Claudia. Have a great week!
This delicious salsa will go with so many dishes! I love that you can use any fruit or mix it up!
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So glad you find it appealing Kelly. Thanks so much!
This is such a handy guide! I love fruit salsa so it’s great seeing all the best options in one place.
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So glad you like it! Thanks Donny!
Love fruit salsa, and these look wonderful! i don’t think I’ve tried with pineapple before so I’m gonna be making that next.
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Hi Jean. I hope you like it. We have pineapple salsa with fish and fish tacos. It’s so fresh!
Love these fruit salsas!! They look so delish and refreshing!
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Thanks Toni! So glad that you like them too!
Fruit salsa is the best part of summer! I love this so much!
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So glad you agree Lauren. Happy Fourth of July!