Best Pineapple Salsa and Mango Salsa, According to Pro Taste Testers

After taste testing eight different jarred fruit salsas, I can safely say that the best fruit salsa to buy at a grocery store is pineapple salsa. I guess there’s just something about pineapple that lends itself to jarring. There was one really good mango salsa in a jar. But, as good as canned peaches are, the peach salsas I tried were either way too sweet or not peachy enough. 

Here’s what I wanted out of the best fruit salsa: I wanted it to taste like salsa, not jam. I wanted there to be some heat. But I also wanted there to be sweet and/or tangy pops of fruit, preferably coming from actual chunks of real deal produce. 

If you’re in the (super)market for the best fruit salsa, here’s the best pineapple salsa (mostly), along with the best mango salsa. 

Best Very Mild

If you like pineapple on your pizza, you will like this salsa. That’s the vibe it gives—marinara sauce and canned pineapple together in a smooth, mild blend. It’s not for everyone, but I like the combo. It could use some heat, in my personal opinion, but I recognize not everyone is out to char their lips when they buy a jar of salsa.

Related: Best Store Bought Salsa

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best Mango

Another mild mix, this fruit salsa is very, very, very mango-heavy. And that rich, tropical flavor lingers. It has just the tiniest hint of heat on the end, but it’s just enough to bring you back to the land of salsa. It’s the best mango salsa I tried and it would be incredible spooned onto a fried fish or grilled shrimp taco.

Related: Best Avocado Salsa

Credit: Merc / Safeway

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Chunky

I love the big hunks of roasted pepper and pineapple in this fruit salsa. And while it doesn’t taste like fresh or even canned pineapple, it does taste like tropical fruits. There’s a touch of smoke and savoriness to balance out the fruit’s sweetness. Though I tried it on chips (and thoroughly enjoyed using it as a traditional dip), lots of folks out there swear by using it to cook chicken breasts. Just dump a whole jar over a couple of chicken breasts in a slow cooker and walk away. 

Related: Best Salsa Verde

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Medium Heat

Unlike some of the other pineapple salsas on this list, this one has an unmistakable fresh pineapple flavor, which is enhanced by the grassy green chile flavor. It’s fairly smooth with a few chunks of pineapple, and the heat really creeps up on you. This is the best pineapple salsa to enjoy with some blue corn tortilla chips and some canned Margaritas to quell the heat.  

Related: What to Eat with Salsa Besides Chips

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Yes, this salsa is hot, thanks to the habanero. But it’s not overwhelmingly hot and the pineapple pairs perfectly with that fruity habanero pepper flavor. It’s doing what fruit salsa should do: It mixes fruit with spicy peppers. And it does so really successfully. The texture is akin to Tostitos jarred salsa, which I find to be a bit watery, but the flavor is so great it makes up for it. It’s a little roasty and a lot savory, with a fruity backbone. It’s the best pineapple salsa in a jar you can buy if you can handle a little heat. 

Related: Best Spicy Dip

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

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