This Mango and Habanero salsa brings the heat. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, this salsa strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and spiciness. It’s a great addition to a cajun fish taco bowl or these tasty ahi tuna avocado boats and it also can stand on its own as a dip for snacking.
As a Registered Dietitian, I am a huge fan of recipes that you can batch prep and use in a variety of ways and this mango habanero salsa does just that. I love making a big batch at the beginning of the week and enjoying it as a snack with chips, adding it to these ahi tuna avocado boats, or as a topping for a cajun fish taco bowl.
All you need are 6 ingredients and you can whip this tropical salsa up in 10 minutes or less. Warning though – this is so delicious you may want to double or triple it because otherwise it won’t last long.
What You Need for This Salsa & Substitutions
Fresh Mango: Mango goes very well with spice. I love pairing it with Tajin like in these delicious sweet and spicy popsicles and this spicy mango margarita smoothie. For this recipe, I used fresh mango. You can use whichever variety you like. I’ve made this with red mangos, Ataulfo mangos, and frozen mango. If you don’t have any mango available, you can substitute for pineapple or peaches. While they have a different flavor, both will pair well with the heat from the habanero.
Red Onion: I used red onion in this salsa because they tend to have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to other types of onions. I also love the color they add to this dish. You can substitute for another type of onion like a sweet onion, green onion, or white onion.
Cilantro: Cilantro is a polarizing herb. Some people love it and some people hate it. I’ve grown to love cilantro over the years and use it in a lot of my cooking. If you don’t have cilantro or don’t like it, you can just leave it out or substitute for mint or basil.
Habanero: The habanero pepper brings the heat to this dish. They’re 100 times spicier than a jalapeno. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can leave it out or substitute for a less spicy pepper like a jalapeno or serrano pepper. You can also use red pepper flakes or hot sauce for even milder heat.
Lime Juice: The natural acidity of lime juice brings out the flavors of the other ingredients in this recipe. The juice helps accentuate the tropical sweetness of the mangoes, the freshness of the cilantro, and the heat of the habanero.
I used the juice of one lime by hand juicing it (with one of these). 1 lime is approximately 2 tablespoons. You can use lime juice from the bottle or substitute for another citrus like lemon juice.
Honey: I first made this salsa without the honey but I found it was missing something so I added some of the golden nectar and the salsa was complete. If you want to make this vegan, you can substitute for maple syrup or agave nectar. Remember sweetness is a personal preference, start by adding a little and tasting each time.
How to Make Mango Habanero Salsa
In a small bowl, add the mango, onion, cilantro, lime juice, honey and habanero pepper. Mix until well combined.
Serve with chips, as a topping for tacos or taco bowls, or on pan seared fish.
Mistakes and Fixes
Too Spicy: While habaneros have a certain spice level, the heat of each individual pepper can vary and sometimes you don’t know until it’s already in the dish. If the salsa turns out too spicy for your liking, have no fear, it’s not ruined. You can balance the heat by adding additional diced mango or a squeeze of extra lime juice. The sweetness and acidity will tone down the spiciness.
Not Sweet Enough: If the salsa tastes less sweet than desired, add a bit more honey (or other sweetener like maple syrup) to enhance the sweetness, testing as you go.
Too Sweet: If the salsa is too sweet, there are a few things you can do. You can start by increasing the lime juice or acidity. You can also add more heat to the dish to counter the sweetness of the salsa. If the sweetness is still overpowering, you can dilute the salsa by adding more of the non-sweet ingredients. You can increase the amount of minced onion, cilantro, or lime juice to create a more balanced dish.
Nutritional Benefits
Mangoes: I’ve been on a mango kick recently. I love using them in my smoothies, as the star of a salad, or to enhance a basic vinaigrette. Mangoes add a tropical twist to almost any dish and bring up happy memories, visiting my sister in Hawaii. Rich in vitamins A, B6, and C and fiber, 1 mango has approximately 65% of your daily vitamin C requirement! Talk about a nutrition powerhouse!
Habanero Peppers: Besides bringing the heat, habanero peppers are also rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Vitamin C is critical in helping us absorb iron and supporting immune function.
How to Meal Prep This Spicy Salsa
As you know – I love anything that can be prepped in advance (I even wrote weekly meal prep meal plans!). Meal prep not only saves time but can add variety into your weekly meals and this is a great batch prep recipe!
I recommend doubling the recipe to use throughout the week to enhance different dishes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use throughout the week on different meals. I love this salsa in these avocado boats, as the topping for tacos (especially this cajun fish taco bowl), or you can even use it as a marinade for white fish. The options are endless!
How to Elevate this Mango Habanero Salsa
At Make Food Feel Good Wellness, we’re all about what you can add onto your plate instead of cutting out. This salsa is a great base recipe but there are so many different ways you can take it to the next level.
Here are a few ways you can elevate this salsa:
- Add diced bell peppers or cucumber for extra crunch and fiber.
- Incorporate finely chopped fresh mint or basil leaves for a refreshing twist and added antioxidants.
- Sprinkle in a teaspoon of chia seeds for a boost of omega-3s and fiber.
If you make this spicy mango habanero salsa, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and/or star rating below— I love hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot.rd so I can see your versions! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens! xo
Print10 Minute Mango Habanero Salsa
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
This Mango and Habanero salsa brings the heat. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, this salsa strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and spiciness.
Ingredients
- 2 mangoes, peeled, cored and diced or 2 cups frozen mango, diced
- 1/2 small red onion, minced (approximately 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
- Juice of 1 lime (approximately 2 tablespoons)
- ½ – 1 habanero or jalapeno, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, add the mango, onion, cilantro, lime juice, honey and habanero pepper. Mix until well combined.
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Serve with chips, on a taco bowl or with tacos or as a topping for fish.
Notes
Tip: Remove the seeds from the habanero or jalapeno pepper for a milder spice. You can also substitute for chili flakes or hot sauce if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10
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