This spicy mango salsa recipe is fresh, bright and sweet. The mango is perfectly complemented with the additions of habanero, red onion, cilantro, lime and sea salt. The combination of spicy and sweet is an ideal accompaniment to any Mexican recipe.
I noticed on Pinterest a huge preference for “easy” recipes. I totally get the desire to cook quick and simple food and when you have good ingredients you don’t have to do much to them. This salsa recipe is as easy as it gets. Chopping a few ingredients, combining and mixing – you’re ready to put it with any meal!
It’s the middle of June here in Maine. Summer is upon us and the call to eat refreshing, hydrating meals is starting to come in strong. I love this spicy mango salsa recipe because it can bring those very elements to anything you might be eating it with. Instantly make a taco or a quesadilla transformed to feel hydrating and fresh.
There are two meals I absolutely cannot have without this salsa in the mix. The first is a sweet potato and black bean burrito. The flavors used to season the respective sweet potatoes and black beans marry perfectly with this sweet and spicy mango salsa. I remember my mentor-chef-boss calling it the trifecta and he was right, the combination of these three components SING like a choir boy. The other Mexican meal I cannot have without this mango salsa recipe is chicken tacos: corn tortillas, grilled chicken, cheese, mango salsa, fresh diced tomato, lettuce, and a squeeze of lime. Oh man, it is good!
This recipe is so versatile and can be used on nearly anything you want. This spicy mango salsa recipe is a favored accompaniment with fish recipes, grilled chicken and shrimp tacos.
Mango Salsa Recipe Ingredient List:
- Mangos
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Habanero pepper
- Lime
- Sea salt
Instructions:
- Peel mangoes, slice and dice into small squares
- Chop the red onion and cilantro.
- Combine ingredients above with the juice of 1 lime, a pinch of sea salt and a small amount of minced fresh habanero or habanero hot sauce. Mix well, but be gentle as to not destroy the integrity of the mango.
- Adjust salt and habanero level to your preference.
Notes:
-Use ripe mangos.
-There are many ways to cut a mango. My favorite way is to remove the skin with a peeler(a good quality, well functioning peeler makes a world of difference), you can find the one I use here, the best peeler. I was actually thinking while peeling these mangos that peelers are an amazing invention and they make such a big difference in the food prep process.
After the mango is peeled, cut semi thin layers (1/4 thick) on all sides around the center pit. Stack the slices of mango and proceed to slice them into strips, turn and cut once more until they are cut in to small cubes.
-The amount of habanero depends on the desired spice level, just like adding salt to taste. I recommend starting with a very small amount and adding more incrementally to achieve your desired level of heat. More spice can always be added but cannot be taken away once incorporated.
-Make sure to not be too vigorous or careless when mixing the ingredients together or you will break down the mango and it will turn more into a consistency that more resembles a preserve. There are many different types of mangoes but you can use any kind you have available to you and it will turn out great.
-Habanero is my favorite pepper to use for spicy recipes. It is extremely hot, so I use it sparingly. It has a clean and straightforward flavor, the spice gets right to the point, which is why I love it. There are a lot of different ways you can get the habanero spice into this salsa recipe. You could purchase a habanero oil and use a few drops for this recipe. You may finely mince or use a mortar or pestle and incorporate the pepper by itself. A last option would be to add some pure habanero hot sauce. My favorite way is with a habanero oil or simple hot sauce that is made of purely habaneros and not much else.
Health Benefits:
Mango- Referred to as the “King of the fruits”. High in vitamins A, C, E and B-complex. Mangoes are a powerful anti-cancer food and may reduce the occurrence of certain types of cancers. A highly alkalizing food, they help to flush out toxins and waste. They are incredible for insomnia, stress reduction and promote relaxation. Mangoes are great for eyesight and skin health.
Red onion- Contains powerful antioxidants. Red onion containing valuable sulphur compounds that destroy bacteria and viruses. Onion has amazing abilities to lower blood pressure and high cholesterol. Onions eaten raw have the highest benefits. Onions aid in removing heavy metals from the body.
Cilantro- Helps remove heavy metals from the brain and organs. Is a great detoxifier and cleanser. Full of minerals and is highly alkalizing to the body.
Habanero-Stimulates a stagnant liver into detox and optimal functioning.
Mango Facts:
-Mangos are one of the worlds most versatile foods as they are prized for both savory and sweet recipes.
-Mangos were first grown in India(where the name originated). Then the seeds traveled with humans to the middle east, Africa and beyond.
-The mango is a sign and symbol of love in India.
-Mangoes used to be considered a sacred fruit.
-The national fruit for 3 countries- India, Pakistan and Philippines.
-The oldest known mango tree is over 300 years old and is in central India.
-Mangos are related to cashews and pistachios.
-Treasure for boosting the immune system.
-Easily digestible and soothing to an upset stomach.
Capsaicin: A chemical compound found in chili peppers that causes the spicy heat sensation.
-Capsaicin is created by the pepper plant to stop animals from eating its fruit.
-Birds do not have the taste receptors that are triggered from Capsaicin. If you put cayenne pepper on bird feed they do not detect spiciness and it is a great way to keep other animals such as squirrels from eating it!
-Capsaicin has potent antibacterial components.
-They have found an analgesic (pain reliever) effect in Capsaicin.
-This chemical compound can stimulate liver detoxification and wake up a sluggish tired liver.
-Produces ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins.
-Helps clean out your sinuses.
-Always wear gloves when handling hot peppers and be careful not to touch your eyes!
If you do make this incredibly easy and quick mango salsa recipe, please comment, rate this recipe or share to your Pinterest or other socials if you so desire!
Don’t forget to check out the links I have in this blog posts directing you to the taco salad I made this mango salsa recipe for. You can find that recipe for homemade taco salad here. If you are interested in this salsa recipe you may also enjoy this chipotle salsa recipe.
Happy eating:)
Spicy Mango Salsa
Ingredients
- Mangos
- Red Onion
- Cilantro
- Habanero Pepper
- Lime
- Salt
Instructions
- Instructions:Peel mangoes, slice and dice into small squares. Chop red onion and cilantro. Combine ingredients above with the juice of 1 lime, a pinch of sea salt and a small amount of habanero. Mix well, but be gentle as to not destroy the integrity of the mango. Adjust salt and habanero level to your preference.
