Fresh Peach Salsa

This fresh peach salsa recipe combines sweet, juicy peaches with crisp vegetables and zesty lime for a vibrant summer salsa that’s absolutely irresistible! The natural sweetness of ripe peaches balanced with the subtle heat from jalapeño and the brightness of fresh cilantro creates a flavor combination that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

As someone who’s been playing with and developing recipes on my own for nearly 20 years, and creating recipes for this website for the past 5 years, I’ve learned that the key to an outstanding fruit salsa lies in using peak-season produce and getting the balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy elements just right. I’ve been working on adding peach recipes to my website to celebrate this delicious summer fruit (and at the request of my mom if we’re being honest, hi mom!), and this salsa has quickly become one of my favorites to share.

Through extensive testing with family and friends, I’ve discovered that the secret to making an excellent peach salsa is in the timing. The freshness of the peaches is crucial, which is why I recommend preparing them as close to serving as possible. This ensures you get that amazing burst of sweet peach flavor in every bite, rather than a watery or mushy texture that can happen when fruit sits too long after being cut.

Ingredients to Make Peach Salsa

• Fresh peaches. The star of the show! Sweet, juicy peaches provide the main flavor and beautiful color that makes this salsa special.
• Red bell pepper. Adds satisfying crunch and a mild, sweet flavor that complements the peaches without competing for attention.
• Red onion. A classic salsa ingredient that provides a sharp, pungent bite to balance the sweetness of the fruit. Red onion adds beautiful color and has a slightly milder flavor as compared to a white onion.
• Jalapeño pepper. Another classic salsa ingredient that brings gentle heat, fresh flavor, and a satisfying crunch. Jalapeños are ideal for this recipe because they add the right amount of spice without overpowering the sweet peaches. We recommend removing the ribs and seeds before dicing to reduce the heat level.
• Fresh cilantro. Another classic salsa ingredient that makes the salsa taste fresh and vibrant as well as a brining a lovely pop of green color to our dish.
• Fresh lime (for juice and zest). Essential for brightness! The acid from the lime juice balances the sweetness of the peaches and also helps prevent the peaches from browning.
• Salt. Enhances all the other flavors.
• Optional: a dash of chili powder. Adds warmth and a subtle smoky depth of flavor that rounds out the flavor profile.

All ingredient measurements with full recipe details can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

How to Make Our Peach Salsa Recipe

Chop all of your ingredients. Aim to chop your red pepper into about the same bite-size pieces as you’ll cut your peaches into. Place ingredients into a large bowl after chopping.

Add the lime. Zest the lime directly over the bowl, then squeeze the juice over the mixture.

Add the salt. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the salsa and add a dash of chili powder if using. It’s ok to add in after you’ve already stirred (like I did in the pictures… it happens!), just stir again.

Stir to combine. Gently fold all ingredients together until well combined, being careful not to mash the peaches. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Let sit 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Variation Ideas

Tropical twist. Add diced mango or pineapple alongside the peaches for a complex stone fruit and tropical fruit combination. To do this, either add about ½ Cup diced mango or pineapple alongside the full amount of peaches for a larger batch of salsa, or replace 1 of the fresh peaches with diced mango and/or pineapple to keep the same volume.

Extra heat. Leaving in the white ‘ribs’ of the jalapeño will amp up the heat. You can also add a minced serrano pepper or pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice as well.

Smoky flavor. Mix in a small amount of finely diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, or a sprinkle of ground chipotle pepper.

Fresh herb variations. Substitute fresh mint for half the cilantro for a refreshing and fun twist.

How to Serve Peach Salsa

This versatile salsa pairs beautifully with tortilla chips as a fresh appetizer or snack. The sweet and savory combination makes it an excellent choice for summer entertaining, barbecues, and potluck gatherings.

For a protein-packed meal, serve this peach salsa over grilled chicken breast or pork tenderloin. The fruit complements grilled meats exceptionally well and adds a bright, fresh element to your dinner plate.

Fish tacos become absolutely incredible when topped with this peach salsa. The sweetness of the fruit balances the savory fish while adding a pop of color and fresh flavor. It’s also delicious with grilled shrimp or salmon.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This peach salsa recipe is best enjoyed within a few hours of making it for optimal flavor and texture. The peaches will begin to release their juices as time goes on, making the salsa watery if it sits too long.

If you want to do some prep work ahead of time, you can dice the red bell pepper, mince the onion, and prepare the jalapeño up to a day in advance. Store these prepared vegetables in the refrigerator in separate containers. Just be sure to save the peaches until as close to serving time as possible to maintain their texture and prevent the salsa from becoming watery.

The lime juice not only adds flavor but also helps prevent the peaches from browning, so be sure to add it immediately after dicing the fruit.

If you do need to store leftovers, place any leftover salsa into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. Enjoy within 24 hours for the best quality.