Spicy Pear and Cilantro Salsa
on Mar 22, 2019, Updated Mar 20, 2025
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Bright and citrusy and sweet and herby, this is a really fun fruit salsa.
I forget about fruit salsas, which is kind of funny considering a) how much I like them and b) how many fruit salsa recipes I’ve written over the years. But the nice thing about forgetting about a food you love is that you get to rediscover it over and over again.
If this sounds to you like someone justifying a premature senior moment, you are correct.
What to Serve with Spicy Pear Salsa
Yes, serve this with chips (pita chips, tortilla chips, whatever chips you like), but also serve it on top of or alongside grilled chicken, pork, steak, or fish (or chicken, pork, steak, or fish cooked any which way). Because of the pears and pomegranates this feels like a fall salsa…and I’m definitely picturing it served along a pork loin for a nice autumnal feast.
This inspired fruit salsa is great with pita chips or paired up with your favorite cooked meats. Bright and citrusy and sweet and herby.
Substitutions
If you don’t feel like buying pomegranate seeds, the salsa will still be delicious without them. And, if a Meyer lemon isn’t available, use 1 tablespoon each of fresh orange juice and fresh lemon juice — you will get a similar sweet and sour flavor.
Hatch chili peppers have a kind of cult following. Named after the original growing area in Hatch, New Mexico, authentic Hatch Chiles are beloved by chefs and chili pepper fanatics. They have a meaty flesh and mild-medium heat — you are all good using a jalapeño instead, however.
More Fruit Salsa Recipes to Try
- Tropical Fruit Salsa
- Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
- Corn, Cucumber, and Cantaloupe Salsa
- Peach and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa
- Herbed Roasted and Raw Tomato Salsa with Olives
- Citrusy Mango Ginger Salsa
- Pineapple Mint Jalapeño Salsa
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Spicy Pear and Cilantro Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 ripe but firm pears (diced)
- ½ red onion (finely minced)
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- 1 tablespoon minced seeded Hatch or other hot pepper
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice from 1 Meyer lemon (or 1 tablespoon each fresh orange and lemon juice)
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the pears, onions, pomegranate seeds, hot peppers, cilantro, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
- Stir gently to combine. Serve with chips.
