This fresh salsa is bursting with juicy sweet mango, Roma tomatoes, bell peppers, and spicy habaneros. Combined with fresh cilantro and lime, this sweet and spicy salsa is delicious with a bowl of tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, chicken, or fish.
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What is Mango Habanero Salsa?
Mango habanero salsa is a delicious dish of fresh ingredients that can be used as a snack, side dish, or condiment.
The combination of sweet mango and tomatoes, savoury onion and cilantro, and spicy habanero peppers create a sweet and spicy dish that is perfect with a big bowl of tortilla chips or a topping for meat or tacos.
I like to keep my salsas chunky, but if you want yours more sauce-like, you can place the diced ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse a few times until it is your desired consistency.
Because you don’t need to be precise with the ingredients, you can use as much or as little of each as you like. It is a great way to use up the vegetables in your refrigerator.
Habanero peppers are small peppers that are fruity and super spicy. They are far spicier than jalapeno peppers, and you will want to handle them with care. You can use as few or as many as you like, depending on how hot you like your salsa to be.
Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Mango – You want to use fresh mango for this recipe. I generally use the larger Haden variety, but you can use Ataulfo mangos if you prefer.
Roma tomatoes – I like to use Roma as they have great texture and hold up well in dishes like this, but you can use beef steak tomatoes or even cherry tomatoes.
Bell pepper – Whatever colour you like. I prefer to use red, yellow or orange bell peppers over green for this recipe, as the sweeter flavour works better with the mango. But you are free to use whatever you prefer.
Red onion – Red onion is milder than white onion, and the flavour works well in fresh dishes such as salsas and salads.
Cilantro – Cilantro is a common ingredient in salsa. If you are someone who doesn’t like cilantro, you can omit this ingredient.
Habanero peppers – Habanero peppers are fruity and spicy. These little peppers pack a punch of heat. You can use as few or as many as you like. Remove the seeds for a milder salsa; leave them in if you like things extra spicy.
Lime juice – A little bit of lime juice brings everything together, brightens the flavours and helps keep the fruit and vegetables fresh. Use freshly squeezed lime for the best results.
Step by Step Instructions
Peel and dice the mango and place it into a medium size bowl. Then seed and dice the bell peppers and Roma tomatoes and add to the bowl.
Next, finely dice the red onion, roughly chop the cilantro and add to the diced ingredients.
Carefully remove the stem and seeds from the habanero peppers and dice them very finely; add them to the bowl with the other vegetables.
Squeeze the fresh lime over the diced ingredients and then stir to combine.
Pro-Tip: Use caution when handling habanero peppers. You are highly recommended to use gloves while cutting and seeding peppers as the oil in the peppers can cause burns, especially if you use them in large batches. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling hot peppers, and be sure not to touch your face.
Pro-Tip: If you want your habanero salsa extra spicy, you can leave the seeds in the peppers rather than remove them.
Selecting and Handling Habanero Peppers
- When choosing fresh habanero peppers, look for habaneros with bright-coloured fruit, bright green stem and a firm shape. Avoid wrinkled, soft, and bruised peppers if possible.
- Like all peppers and fresh produce, Habanero peppers vary widely in flavour. The flavour and spice level will depend on where they were grown when they were picked, freshness, size, and the individual variety.
- Handle fresh peppers with caution. Hot peppers contain an oil called capsaicin. It is this oil that makes the peppers hot. While it is found everywhere in the pepper, it is more concentrated in the white membrane and seeds found inside. This oil can burn your skin and will cause irritation to eyes, nose and throat. For that reason, it is recommended that you wear gloves when chopping habaneros, wash your hands well, and do not touch your face.
- If you have leftover habanero peppers, they can be frozen whole in ziplock bags. They should keep for several months.
Serving Suggestions
One thing I absolutely love about this salsa is the endless ways to serve it.
Of course, one of my favourite ways is to keep it simple and serve it with a huge bowl of tortilla chips.
It is also delicious on tacos. The sweet and spicy combination of the mangos and habanero peppers goes especially well on chicken, fish or shrimp tacos.
You could also serve it on top of grilled chicken breast.
Storage
Leftover salsa can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It should last about five days.
Top Tips & FAQS
- Use caution when handling fresh peppers. Gloves are recommended while chopping peppers and be careful not to touch your face.
This salsa can be stored in an airtight container for about five days in the refrigerator.
We do not recommend freezing this salsa. It is best eaten fresh or stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
More Spicy Recipes
Printable Recipe
Fresh Mango Habanero Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 large mango, diced approximately 1.5 cups
- 2-3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced approximately 1 cup
- ½ cup diced, bell pepper
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 2-3 habanero peppers seeded and finely diced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Mix the diced mango, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, habaneros, and chopped cilantro in a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the lime juice and stir to combine.
- Serve as desired. This salsa can be served immediately.
Notes
- You don’t need to be precise with the ingredients. You can use as much or as little of each as you like.
- This recipe will make approximately 8 (½ cup) servings
- Use caution when handling fresh peppers. Gloves are recommended while chopping peppers, and be careful not to touch your face.
- If you prefer pureed salsa, you can simply place the diced ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until it reaches your desired consistency.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.