Mango Habanero Salsa (Sweet, Spicy & Fresh)

If you love the classic tomato-based salsa but are curious to try something new, this fruit-inspired salsa offers a delicious and rewarding twist. Similar to a vibrant pineapple salsa, the magic lies in the perfect balance of sweet mango, spicy habanero, and sharp lime juice. It’s a harmonious blend that is incredibly refreshing and utterly addictive.

This salsa is the ultimate addition for summer entertaining. It’s a must-make for barbecues, perfect for topping grilled fish tacos, and absolutely essential served with a bowl of crispy tortilla chips by the pool. Its bold flavor and colorful appearance are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients needed

• Roma tomatoes – I prefer to use Roma tomatoes as they have less seeds and are firmer. However, you can also use regular tomatoes. 

• Yellow onion – The onion’s sharp bite provides a necessary contrast to the mango’s intense sweetness, preventing the salsa from being one-dimensional. Red onion could be used instead. 

• Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves are a must!

• Habanero peppers – For a milder salsa, use only 1-2 peppers. You could also use jalapeno peppers instead. For a spicier salsa, increase the habanero peppers. I used 3 and consider this salsa to be quite hot!

• Olive oil – Use high-quality olive oil. Another neutral-flavored oil will also work. 

• Cilantro – Leave this out if you aren’t a fan of cilantro, or use parsley, basil, or fresh chives instead. 

• Lime juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is always the best! You can also swap in a splash of white vinegar. Both will add a hint of brightness to this mango habanero salsa. 

• Kosher salt – To season the mango salsa. Add more only once the salsa is assembled, to taste. Remember, it’s easy to add in more salt later, if needed, but you can’t remove it if you’ve added too much at the start!  

More ways to use mangoes

Whether you’ve bought ripe mangoes in bulk or have excess from making this mango habanero salsa, these recipes below offer delicious ways to use this naturally juicy fruit. 

• Desserts: The natural sweetness of mangoes make them great for creating delicious desserts, just like this Mango Cobbler. The mangoes are covered with a crisp oat topping, served warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Here are 25+ Mango Desserts to Try at Home. 
• Marinades: This Grilled Mango Chicken recipe features a sweet and spicy mango lime marinade that creates the perfect caramelization on a hot grill – ideal for your outdoor BBQs or indoor grilling. 
• Drinks: Sit back and relax after a long day with this Mango Michelada (aka Mexican Beer Cocktail). It’s the perfect mix of sweet and spicy!

Tips and tricks

• Be careful while handling the habanero pepper! Wear gloves if you can and wash your hands as soon as you’re done handling them. The juice from the peppers can burn your skin and it’ll be painful if you get it in your eyes. 

• Feel free to make this salsa ahead of time and store it in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks. The flavors will meld together and intensify!

• Removing the seeds and veins from the habanero peppers is an easy way to lessen the spice in this dish. Feel free to leave them in for an extra kick of heat. 

• Roasting the veggies intensifies the flavors and also helps to remove excess liquid for the perfect consistency once blended with the rest of the salsa ingredients. 

Serving suggestions

This versatile mango habanero salsa is more than just a dip. While perfect with tortilla chips, it also excels as a vibrant topping for tacos, a zesty condiment for grilled meats, or a flavorful addition to wraps. Here are some of the dishes I love to serve this salsa with: 

Storing

• This mango habanero salsa is best enjoyed after chilling in the fridge for 30 minutes as the flavors intensify. That said, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

• While it’s possible to freeze salsas, I typically don’t as it does change the texture.