Easy Mango Salsa

Content… Ways to Use It Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Tropical Salsas and Salads to Try

Ways to Use Mango Salsa

It’s no secret that mango salsa served with a side of tortilla chips will disappear pretty darn fast. However, this insanely good salsa is also insanely versatile.

Mango salsa for fish tacos delivers mindblowing flavor. Add some vinaigrette, and you’ve got a fruity salad dressing that almost tastes like dessert. Mango salsa also pairs well with grilled meats—especially pork. Honestly, there’s so much you can do with this recipe!

Recipe Ingredients

1. Mangoes – Ripe mangoes of any variety work wonderfully with this recipe. I usually choose red mangoes, but Ataulfo mangos work nicely, too. Fresh mango works best for this recipe, but frozen mango is fine if that’s what you have.
2. Red Onion – Red onion balances the sweetness of the mango and adds a pretty pop of color. 
3. Garlic – I decided to add garlic to this salsa and, wow! It adds a layer of flavor that works amazingly with the other ingredients. I’ll never leave it out again!
4. Jalapeno – Because you know I like to keep things spicy around here. 😜
5. Additional Flavors – To take this recipe from a fruit salad to a salsa, you’ll need olive oil, fresh squeezed lime juice, and red wine vinegar – or your vinegar of choice. 
6. Cilantro – The finishing touch! Fresh cilantro adds a unique flavor to the mix.

How to Make Mango Salsa

• Combine – In a serving bowl, combine the diced mango, diced onion, minced garlic, diced jalapeno pepper, olive oil, and vinegar.
• Season – Drizzle everything with the lime juice and mix well. Adjust the salt and fresh black pepper to taste.
• Marinate – For best results, let this salsa marinate for 30 minutes or more so the flavors can get together.
• Serve – Sprinkle with cilantro before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

1. Pineapple mango salsa. Replace half of the diced mango with diced fresh pineapple for an even more tropical salsa.
2. Add some avocado. Cubed avocado goes well in this salsa, or you can mash it up and have a heavenly mango guacamole.
3. Black beans. Add some protein to the mix and make your salsa even more filling. 🫘
4. Extra tangy. Replace jalapenos or red onions with pickled jalapenos or pickled red onions. It gives the salsa a tangier flavor than the traditional version.
5. More veggies. Add diced red bell peppers with the red onions for a stronger pop of color and flavor.

Tips and Tricks

1. Dice all the ingredients (including the mangoes, onions, and peppers) into uniform sizes for an even distribution of flavors and a better mouthfeel. 😋
2. Select ripe but firm mangoes with a sweet aroma for the best flavor. Look for mangoes that yield slightly to gentle pressure, indicating that they are ripe and ready to use.
3. Leave jalapenos out if you don’t do spicy salsa. Or remove the seeds and pith to tone down the heat.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Feel free to make this salsa a few hours ahead of time. I don’t recommend assembling it the day before as the veggies tend to lose their crunch, and the cilantro tends to wilt. This recipe is one that looks and tastes best fresh.

Serving and Storage Instructions

If you have leftover mango salsa, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Just note that it will taste best fresh. 

What Goes With Mango Salsa

I love this salsa whenever I’m grilling. Try it with grilled tilapia filets and grilled jerk chicken tacos, too! For a stand-alone salsa, you can offer guests homemade tortilla chips or pita chips.

With the spicy jalapenos packing a punch, you might want to also offer something refreshing to drink. Mango lemonade is a fabulous option, especially if you have surplus mangoes. 

More Tropical Salsas and Salads to Try

1. Grilled Pineapple Black Bean Salsa
2. Pineapple Salsa
3. Black Bean and Corn Salad
4. Pineapple Cucumber Salad
5. Mango Chutney
6. Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad

This blog post was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated with additional tips and new photos.