Mango Salsa

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A fun and tasty variation on traditional tomato-based salsa, this colorful, flavorful and refreshing Mango Salsa recipe is sure to become a favorite!  Serve it with tortilla chips, on fish tacos, grilled meats, chicken, and salmon, in quesadillas, rice bowls and more.  It’s the perfect dish to bring to parties, picnics, barbecues, potlucks and for at-home snacking!

Whether you’re serving it as part of a meal or enjoying it on its own with tortilla chips, this Mango Salsa recipe is a winner. Sweet, spicy and tangy all in one, this comes together in just 10 minutes and is as visually pretty as it is delicious!

How To Choose Ripe Mangoes

A key component to making the best mango salsa is to choose good, ripe mangoes.  Choosing ripe mangoes involves assessing their appearance, texture, and fragrance. Here are some tips to help you choose ripe mangoes:

• Color: The color of mangoes can vary depending on the variety, so color alone isn’t a sole indicator of ripeness.  Nevertheless, when mangoes are ripe they generally have a vibrant hue, either a rich golden color or an orange-red color.  Avoid mangoes that are predominantly green in color as well as ones that have a dull appearance.
• Texture: Gently squeeze the mango with the tips of your fingers. If they are hard they are not ripe and will need a few more days to ripen.  If they’re squishy they are over-ripe or at least too ripe for salsa (I don’t know about you, but mushy salsa is off-putting to me!).  What you’re looking for are mangoes that have a slight give when gently pressed but retain their shape.
• Fragrance: Smell the stem end of the mango.  When mangoes are ripe they emit a sweet fragrance from the stem end.  If there is little to no smell, the mangoes aren’t ripe.  If the smell is overly strong or smells slightly fermented, it is overripe and possibly even spoiled.

How to Ripen Mangoes 

Do you have some unripe mangoes on hand and need to accelerate the ripening process?  Place mangos in a paper bag at room temperature.  This will speed up the ripening.  Once they’re ripe, if you’re not quite ready to use them you can transfer them to the fridge which will then slow down the ripening process.

What to Serve with Mango Salsa

With its sweet-spicy-tangy flavor combination, Mango Salsa complements a large variety of dishes.  Here are just a few ideas:

• Tortilla chips: This one’s a given.  The sweet, spicy flavors and juicy texture of this fruity salsa are a heaven-made match with the salty crunchiness of the chips.
• Grilled meats: Mango salsa pairs beautifully with grilled meat, poultry and fish.  Just spoon some salsa over it for a burst of sweet freshness and color.
• Tacos: Whether fish tacos, shrimp tacos, bean tacos, etc, this salsa will add welcome color and and enhance the flavor.
• Quesadillas: Spread some salsa inside quesadillas along with the other fillings.
• Seafood dishes: Mango salsa is a delicious accompaniment for a variety of seafood dishes. Serve it with grilled or seared fish, shrimp, and scallops.  It’s also fantastic with ceviche.
• Salads: Add spoonful or two of this salsa to green salads or grain salads to give them a tropical twist.  It pairs especially well with mixed green salads that include grilled chicken and avocado.
• Sandwiches and wraps: This goes particularly great with grilled chicken and turkey sandwiches as well as smoked ham or Canadian bacon.  It’s also delicious with a variety of vegetarian options.
• Rice or grain bowls: For a pop of color and burst of flavor, top your rice or grain bowls with this mango salsa.

Enjoy experimenting with this versatile salsa!

Mango Salsa Variations

You can use this Mango Salsa recipe as a starting point for creating a variety of different flavor profiles.  Here are a few variations you can try:

• Avocado Mango Salsa: Add smoothness and richness to your salsa by including some ripe diced avocados.
• Cucumber Mango Salsa: Add refreshing crunch to your salsa by including some diced cucumber to the mix.
• Minty Mango Salsa: Give your salsa a refreshing twist by adding fresh, chopped mint leaves.  The mint adds a cooling element that complements the spiciness of the jalapeno and sweetness of the mango.
• Tropical Fruit Salsa: Expand the fruit medley in your mango salsa by adding other tropical fruits such as pineapple, papaya, guava, or kiwi.
• Black Bean and Mango Salsa: For some contrasting color and a pop of protein, add some black beans to mix along with a pinch of ground cumin.  It’s delicious!

This base recipe is highly customizable so let your imagination be your guide!

Can You Freeze Mango Salsa? 

Yes!  This mango salsa can be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.  When you’re ready to serve it let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Mango Salsa Recipe

Let’s get started!

Remember to adjust the level of spiciness in the salsa based on your preference.  You can either add more jalapenos or omit them entirely.

Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. While you can serve this salsa immediately, for best flavor results allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days (any longer and it becomes mushy).

Enjoy!

Be sure to also try our fantastic Mango Chutney and our Peach Salsa!