Ready in 10 minutes, this Strawberry Jalapeno Salsa Recipe is sweet, spicy, and straight-up delicious. It’s the perfect fruity strawberry pico de gallo for summer cookouts, BBQs and pot lucks.
Strawberry jalapeno salsa is my favorite twist on the classic pico de gallo—equally bright, sweet, and spicy. It's a colorful, refreshing salsa with strawberries that turns heads at every summer potluck. Whether you spoon it over fish tacos or scoop it up with tortilla chips, this salsa is a game-changer.
If fruity flavor is your thing, you’ve got to try my tropical Pineapple Mango Salsa or serve this with my Burrata Bruschetta.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Balance: This strawberry salsa is a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, tangy, and fresh.
- So Easy: Made with only 6 ingredients and ready in 10 minutes.
- Flexible: Serve this salsa as a dip, topping, or vibrant side dish.
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Strawberries – Juicy and sweet, these ruby-red gems bring fruity vibes that make this salsa sing. Ripe but firm is the sweet spot!
- Jalapeños – A little fire never hurt! These add that spicy punch. Mellow it out by ditching the seeds—or keep them in for a bold kick.
- Red Onion – Adds that sharp crunch and contrast. Want it milder? Give it a quick soak in cold water first.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Extra Zing: If you’re all about that extra zing, toss in a little lime zest along with the lemon juice—it takes the freshness up a notch!
- Hate Cilantro? I love using cilantro in this salsa. However, if you're not a fan of cilantro, mint makes this dish extra bright and refreshing, while basil adds a sweet, summery twist.
- Avocado Fan? For a creamy update add diced avocado, a swirl of Greek yogurt, or a few spoonfuls of coconut cream.
- Feeling fancy? A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can give this salsa a silky, restaurant-level upgrade.
This salsa is a next-level topping for grilled meats, Air Fryer Salmon Fillets, Texas Smoked Turkey Breast, or Creamy Cajun Pasta with Parmesan.
🔪How To Make Strawberry Jalapeno Salsa
- Step 1: Wash, hull, and dice your strawberries. Set aside in a large bowl. Finely dice red onion, jalapeños (remove seeds for less heat), and chop cilantro.
- Step 2: In a large bowl add your strawberries and onions.
- Step 3: Next add the diced peppers and cilantro. Add the salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Add the lime juice and toss to combine. Chill for at least 1–2 hours to let the flavors meld together. Serve cold.
💡Hint: For the best flavor and texture, I like to use ripe but firm strawberries, and dice everything evenly for the perfect scoop.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Ripe Strawberries: Use strawberries that are fully ripe but not mushy—they’ll hold their shape and taste sweeter.
- Add Honey: If your berries aren’t super sweet, a tiny bit of honey can bring out their flavor.
- Want Less Heat? Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño before dicing.
- Don't Forget To Chill: Let the salsa chill for a couple of hours before serving—it gets better the longer it sits.
💭 FAQs
Fresh is best. Frozen strawberries release too much water and lose their texture when thawed—making the strawberry salsa mushy.
That’s totally up to you! For a mild salsa, remove the seeds from the jalapeño. For more heat, leave them in or swap in a spicier pepper like serrano.
Absolutely! This jalapeño strawberry salsa actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge. Just don’t make it more than a day in advance for the best texture.
If you have any leftover strawberry salsa, you can transfer it to a good quality container with a lid (ideally airtight containers), and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
🍓 Serve In a Watermelon Bowl!
Looking to make a splash at your next party? Try serving this Strawberry Jalapeño Salsa in a watermelon bowl!
"This Strawberry Jalapeño Salsa was so popular at my aunt’s 60th birthday. I served mine in a hollowed-out watermelon bowl and it was scraped clean in minutes!"
Not only does it look stunning on the table, but the juicy watermelon complements the sweet-and-spicy salsa perfectly. You can scoop out the watermelon flesh (save it for smoothies!) and use the rind as a rustic, summery bowl that doubles as a conversation starter.
More Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this strawberry salsa as a dip with tortilla chips, plantain chips, or veggie sticks.
- Spoon it over grilled chicken, Coconut Shrimp, fish or steak for a bold flavor boost. I love it on my Salmon Bruschetta.
- You can go the easy way and serve it with your other Mexican favorites like Plantain Tortillas, Vegan Tacos and Burritos.
Perfect for BBQs, picnics, baby showers, or summer potlucks!
🍽 More Fantastic Side Dishes
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Strawberry Jalapeno Salsa
Ingredients
- 3 cups Strawberries sliced stems removed
- 1 Lime zested and juiced
- 4-5 Jalapeno’s diced seeds removed
- 1 Red onion diced
- ½ cup Fresh Cilantro finely chopped
- pinch Salt to taste
- pinch Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all of your ingredients and set to the side.
- In a large bowl add your ingredients and toss to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
If you love this recipe be sure to check out this Tomatillo Salsa. Both Salsa's would go perfect with Traeger Smoked Pork Chops or Quick Salmon Patties.
This strawberry jalapeño salsa was a huge hit. Tasted amazing and looked fantastic served in a scooped out watermelon. My family loved it and everyone was asking for the recipe. So here it is!