Gameday Peach Salsa with Jalapeno, Lime & a Smoky Kick
A tailgate-ready salsa made with Chilton County’s finest peaches.
Introduction: A Taste of Alabama Summer
Football season in Alabama is all about good food, good friends, and cheering until you lose your voice. Since August is National Peach Month, why not bring the best of both worlds together? This Gameday Peach Salsa is fresh, zesty, and just different enough to stand on a crowded tailgate table.
There’s no better way to celebrate the most delicious fruit growing this side of the Mason-Dixon line than by making as many peach dishes as you can. Sweet dishes, savory dishes, sweet and savory combo dishes—they all taste perfect when peaches are the star of the show.
This salsa is the perfect mix of sweet and heat. The sweet, juicy peaches balance beautifully with the kick from the jalapeño, while fresh lime juice and apple cider vinegar tie everything together with a tangy zing. Paprika adds an extra layer of smokiness that sets this salsa apart from the rest. It’s quick, colorful, and pairs well with tortilla chips, grilled chicken, or even spooned over fish tacos. The possibilities are endless with this salsa. It’s bold enough to hold its own next to BBQ sliders and copycat Lee’s buffalo chicken bites. Add it to your next football party lineup and let the tailgating begin!
Why You’ll Love This Fresh Peach Salsa
Fresh & Seasonal – uses ripe Chilton County Peaches for peak flavor.
Sweet & Spicy combo- ripe peaches balance jalapeno heat perfectly.
Quick & Easy Prep – just chop all the ingredients, toss, and chill — ready in under 15 minutes.
Versatile– serve it as a dip, topping, or side. You can put this salsa on anything.
Tailgate Friendly- make it ahead, pack in a cooler, and serve with chips.
Ingredients You’ll Need
3 large Chilton County peaches, ripe but firm, diced
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (use more or less for spice preference)
1 small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried cilantro)
Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
(Optional: add a dash of honey if your peaches aren’t quite as sweet as you’d like.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Peaches
Wash, peel (if desired), and dice your peaches into small bite-sized cubes. Choose peaches that have a little give to them when squeezed. If they are too firm, they are not ripe.
2. Dice, dice dice!
Dice the onions, jalapeno, tomato, and chop the cilantro (if using fresh cilantro).
3. Mix the Base
In a medium bowl, combine the peaches, tomato, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
4. Add the Zing
Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture, mix in paprika and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I use about a teaspoon of each). Toss gently to combine.
5. Chill & Serve
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors marry together. Serve with tortilla chips or spoon over grilled chicken, fish, or pork.
Kitchen Confession: I Hate Dicing Onions
Ok. I’ll be honest. I hate Dicing onions. But fresh salsa demands onions, so I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way to make the job bearable and tear-free.
Chill first: Pop the onion in the fridge or even the freezer for 10 minutes before you slice. Cold onions sting less.
Sharp knife only: A dull blade crushes the onion and makes everything worse, while a sharp one keeps things neat and clean.
Work smart, not hard: Cut the onion in half through the root, peel it, then make vertical and horizontal slices before dicing. It keeps everything stable and uniform.
Breath through your mouth: Sounds silly, but this keeps tears at bay.
Cheater’s option: Toss the onion in a food chopper like this one and call it a day. No shame in that game when the salsa payoff is this good!
Emeril knife for the win.
I use this chopper to also make quick, uniform dices for the peaches.
Serving Suggestions
With tortilla chips as a fresh dip.
As a topping for fish tacos.
Over grilled chicken or pork chops.
Alongside BBQ for a sweet-savory side dish.
The possibilities are endless! Put this salsa on anything.
This cute football serving bowl sets the tone for your football party.
Final Thoughts
This Fresh Peach Salsa is everything I love about summer cooking: simple, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Whether you pick up your peaches at Peach Park—Chilton County, AL, or from a local farmer’s market, this recipe will help those ripe, juicy peaches reach their full flavor potential.
Next time you fire up the grill, plan a summer gathering, or planning a tailgating party make this salsa — it’s bound to be the star of the table.
GameDay Fresh Peach Salsa with Jalapeño & Lime
Sweet, spicy, and refreshing — made with the best of summer’s bounty from Chilton County, AL.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dice peaches, tomato, onion, and jalapeño.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl with cilantro and lime juice.
- Season with salt & pepper, stir gently.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
- With tortilla chips as a fresh dip.
- As a topping for fish tacos.
- Over grilled chicken or pork chops.
- Alongside BBQ for a sweet-savory side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
53Fat
0 gSat. Fat
0 gCarbs
12 gFiber
2 gNet carbs
10 gSugar
9 gProtein
1 gSodium
47 mgCholesterol
0 mg
