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    Home » Recipes » Dressings, Dips, & Sauces

    Mango Habanero Salsa

    Published: Jun 29, 2021 · Modified: Jun 29, 2023 by Alana Lieberman · As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Pin graphic for mango habanero salsa.

    Turn your fresh mangoes into this gorgeous Mango Habanero Salsa. It's the best, sweet and spicy twist on a traditional salsa. You'll crave it all summer long. Enjoy as an easy appetizer, topping on your favorite protein, or a slaw substitute on BBQ Pulled Chicken or Instant Pot Pork Butt.

    Mango habanero salsa in a bowl a tortilla chip in it.
    Jump to:
    • 📋 About the Recipe
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    •  ⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations
    • 📓 Instructions
    • ❄️ How to Store
    • 🔍 FAQs
    • 💭 One More Tip
    • 🍴 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    📋 About the Recipe

    • It's the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. ​There's a hint of sweetness from the fruity mango, tanginess from the fresh lime juice, and a spicy kick from the fiery habanero peppers. 
    • It's ready in 30 minutes. ​This homemade salsa recipe is truly quick and easy and requires just 15 minutes to prep. Then it sits for 15 minutes in the fridge to combine all of the flavors. You'll have a delicious dip on the table in no time. 
    • Kid friendly option! ​If you're hoping to turn this mango habanero salsa into a family friendly appetizer, you can do so by omitting the habanero or dialing it back a bit to reduce the heat. Scroll down to my substitution recommendations for a few more ideas! 

    🛒 Ingredients

    Labelled ingredients for mango habanero salsa (see recipe for details).

    A few notes about the ingredients:

    1. Fresh mango - ​When making a fruit salsa, it's important to use ripe fruit that is slightly soft, but not overly ripe. If it's too ripe, it won't hold it's shape and will make the salsa more liquid-y. If you only have super ripe mango on hand, try making my Mango Mojito instead. 
    2. Habanero pepper - If you've never cooked with spicy habanero peppers, they're between the scotch bonnet pepper and fatali pepper on the scoville scale. They are quite hot (6 peppers hotter than a jalapeño!) and you should only need 1 for this salsa. Shop for the small orange habanero peppers in your local grocery store in the produce section. If you'd like a milder mango salsa, check out the one in this salmon recipe!
    3. Red bell pepper - ​Red bell pepper adds a nice crunch and a hint of sweetness that helps balance out the heat from the habanero peppers. If needed, you can also use an orange or yellow bell pepper. 
    4. Seasonings - ​This mango habanero salsa recipe is simply seasoned with cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Adjust these seasonings to taste, as needed.
    5. Cilantro - ​Fresh cilantro adds a distinct flavor and aroma to the salsa that makes it bright and refreshing. 

     ⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations

    1. Mango substitutions - Try diced pineapple or ripe peaches. 
    2. Habanero pepper substitutions - If you can't find habanero pepper at your local grocery store, replace it with a scotch bonnet pepper, jalapeño pepper, or serrano pepper. 
    3. Cilantro substitutions - If you don't enjoy the flavor of cilantro or coriander leaves, omit it completely or replace it with another fresh herb such as flat-leaf parsley, sliced green onions, or even fresh basil.
    4. Milder salsa option - For a mild heat, omit the habanero or use a less hot pepper, such as a poblano pepper, Anaheim pepper, or mild jalapeño pepper. 

    📓 Instructions

    1. Mix the salsa ingredients together. In a medium or large bowl, add the diced sweet mango, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, habanero, fresh cilantro, lime juice, ground cumin, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. 
    Diced mango habanero salsa ingredients mixed together in a large bowl.
    1. Pulse ⅔ of salsa in food processor. Scoop ⅔ of the mango habanero salsa mixture to the bowl of a large food processor. Blend until mostly smooth. 
    Part of the mango habanero salsa blended in a food processor, then added to the rest of the salsa.
    1. Add blended salsa back to bowl. Transfer the blended salsa back into the bowl with the remaining ⅓ salsa mixture. Stir to combine. 
    2. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or refrigerate until chilled! 
    Mango habanero salsa served with tortilla chips.

    ❄️ How to Store

    To store: Store leftover salsa in the refrigerator in an airtight container or serving dish tightly covered with plastic wrap for up to 5 days. 

    To freeze: If desired, this spicy mango salsa can be frozen. Smoother salsas will freeze better than a chunkier salsa, so if you are planning on freezing this spicy salsa, I'd recommend blending the full batch until mostly smooth.

    Then, transfer the salsa to a freezer safe container or zip top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost in the fridge until completely thawed, stir, then enjoy as usual. 

    🔍 FAQs

    What can I enjoy this fresh salsa with?

    Aside from enjoying with your favorite tortilla chips, this salsa can be enjoyed with a number of dishes. Try it on Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breasts, grilled shrimp, fish tacos, or your favorite Wraps & Sandwiches. You can also add it to your favorite burritos, Loaded Burger Bowls, or add it to these Jerk Chicken Tacos for an extra spicy punch. 

    Are there any additions I can make to the basic salsa recipe?

    If you'd like to add a protein boost to the salsa, stir in a can of black beans or sweet corn (or both!) right before serving. This will make the smoother salsa more hearty and a good side dish or appetizer for hungry guests. 

    How long does homemade salsa last in a mason jar in the fridge?

    When stored in an airtight glass jar, this salsa should last for at least 5 days, but may last as long as 1 week. Since it is made with fresh ingredients, it's possible it can spoil before then, so before consuming, always check your homemade salsa for mold or a change in odor.

    💭 One More Tip

    Please wear gloves when handling habanero peppers! I highly recommend wearing disposable gloves when handling habanero peppers.

    Also, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes and face after handling. Although habanero peppers are small, they are incredibly spicy and even the slightest amount can irritate your eyes, nose, and lips.

    If you do touch the pepper directly or get the juices on your hands, wash your hands in cold water and use dish soap, instead of hand soap, to remove the oils left on your hands from the pepper. Scrub and thoroughly clean any knives or cutting board after contact with habanero peppers as well.

    A chip scooping mango habanero salsa.

    🍴 Related Recipes

    • Air fryer tortilla chip dipped in salsa.
      Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
    • Grilled shrimp skewers garnished with limes and cilantro on a sheet pan.
      Tequila Lime Margarita Grilled Shrimp
    • Graham cracker with red white and blue fruit salsa on top.
      Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salsa
    • Baked salmon on a platter topped with mango salsa.
      Salmon with Mango Salsa

    Share your cooking with me! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!

    📖 Recipe

    Mango habanero salsa in a bowl with a chip dipped in.

    Mango Habanero Salsa

    Turn your fresh mangoes into this gorgeous Mango Habanero Salsa. It's the best, sweet and spicy twist on a traditional salsa. You'll crave it all summer long!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Dips, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Mexican, Spanish
    Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3.5 cups
    Calories: 79kcal
    Author: Alana Lieberman
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • knife
    • Mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups diced fresh mango (about 2 mangoes)
    • 1 cup diced red bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
    • ¼ cup finely diced red onion (about ⅛th of an onion)
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 garlic clove)
    • 1 tablespoon finely diced habanero, seeded (about 1 habanero) SEE NOTES
    • 1 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 ½ tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice (from about 1 lime)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • tortilla chips, for serving

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
    • Scoop ⅔ of the salsa into the bowl of a food processor. Set the other ⅓ aside. Blend ⅔ of the salsa until well blended. It may not be entirely smooth, that’s okay.
    • Pour blended salsa back into the bowl with the remaining salsa. Stir to combine.
    • Serve salsa with your favorite tortilla chips or on top of fish or tacos.

    Notes

    1. I highly recommend wearing disposable gloves when handling habanero peppers, as well as washing your hands thoroughly. You should also avoid touching your eyes and face after handling. These tiny peppers are incredibly spicy and even the slightest amount can irritate your eyes, nose, and lips.
    2. This salsa can also be served without blending - similar to a mango habanero pico de gallo, or it can all be blended for a smoother sauce-like texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 2452IU | Vitamin C: 99mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Iris

      July 29, 2021 at 10:02 pm

      5 stars
      This was the perfect side dish for grilled chicken on a hot summer’s night! We don’t like very hot food so I used jalapeños instead of the habanero. The dish was delicious and very colorful. A keeper, for sure!

      Reply
      • Alana Lieberman

        August 02, 2021 at 2:42 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it even without the cilantro and with substituting jalapeños for the habanero peppers. Very good information for other readers to know too.

        Reply
    2. Iris S Barnett

      July 23, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      I am planning to make this recipe this week but would like to use an herb other than cilantro. What do you recommend?

      Reply
      • Alana Lieberman

        August 02, 2021 at 2:40 pm

        Hi there! If you don't want to add cilantro to the salsa, I would just leave it out. I'm not sure any other herb would taste as good and the other ingredients should still lend enough flavor to it. Hope this helps!

        Reply
    3. Diane Rosteck

      July 11, 2021 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      Our whole family enjoyed this recipe on 4th of July. We skipped the black beans because we had so much protein in other dishes. It was fresh, light, and delicious! I took a photo of the family with the salsa, but I am unable to post it.

      Reply
      • Alana Lieberman

        July 14, 2021 at 12:17 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it! Will definitely reach out through email to get that photo 🙂

        Reply
    4. Stacy

      June 29, 2021 at 9:39 am

      5 stars
      The perfect balance of spicy and sweet! Love pairing this mango salsa with traditional salsa and guacamole to provide many dip options.

      Reply
      • Alana Lieberman

        July 06, 2021 at 1:28 pm

        Glad you enjoyed it! It's definitely great for offering variety.

        Reply

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    I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer behind Your Home, Made Healthy! I hope to inspire you to create healthy meals for your family without spending tons of time in the kitchen. Although my recipes focus on healthy eating and fresh ingredients, there is no diet talk here. Click below to find out why!

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