Homemade Mango Habanero Salsa
Spicy mango habanero salsa is the perfect combination of sweet mangoes and habanero peppers’ spicy kick. Made in just a few minutes, this salsa is perfect with chips, tacos, and almost anything grilled!
Mango habanero salsa is the perfect combination of tropical fruit and spicy peppers. It is made with diced mangoes, habanero peppers, red pepper, red onion, lime juice, and seasonings.
The sweetness of mangoes and the heat of habanero peppers create a perfect sweet-and-hot mix—not too sweet and not too hot.
I use these salsas to make salsa bars (we have a large family, and bars are the way to go!). To make your bar, try making these other salsas: pineapple mango salsa, spicy habanero salsa, red tomatillo spicy salsa (Chipotle style), and Colorado green chile, which can double as a salsa.
Video
Ingredients
- Mango – You can use fresh, ripe mangoes or frozen mangoes. I prefer frozen mangoes because they are easier to handle and less messy.
- Habanero – These little peppers are high on the heat scale. I recommend starting with 1/4 – 1/2 of one habanero and adding 1/4 increments until you reach the desired heat. A little goes a long way! For more information on handling papers safely, jump to the section ‘How to Handle Habanero Peppers Safely.’
- Tomatoes – Add sweetness to the salsa. Remove the seeds and the watery interior part of the tomatoes.
- Red Bell Pepper – Use a red bell pepper for a balanced flavor.
- Jalapeno – Balances out the overall flavor.
- Red Onion – I recommend only using red onion with this recipe. If you do not have a red onion, substitute it with white onion.
- Fresh Lime Juice– Lime wakes up all the flavors and makes this salsa taste much better. Lime also helps the salsa last longer in the refrigerator.
- Fresh Cilantro – optional
- Salt – Salt draws out the fruit’s moisture and enhances the flavor.
How to Handle Habanero Peppers Safely
Habanero peppers are considered one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. On the Scoville Heat Scale, which measures the heat or spiciness of chili peppers, habanero peppers typically range from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For comparison, jalapeno peppers range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. This means habanero peppers can be up to 140 times hotter than jalapenos!
To be safe, wear gloves! Remove contacts, and avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, when handling habaneros or green chiles if your skin does come into contact with the peppers. I have even rubbed my eyes 12+ hours after working with habaneros, only to have my eyes start burning intensely. Always stay safe. These little guys pack a punch!
FAQs
Mango habanero salsa can be used in various ways, such as a dip for tortilla chips or veggies, a topping for tacos or grilled meats, or a marinade for chicken or fish. It can also be mixed with cream cheese or sour cream to make a spicy dip or spread.
The spiciness of mango habanero salsa can vary depending on the number of habanero peppers used and how they are prepared. However, generally speaking, habanero peppers are considered one of the world’s hottest chili peppers so that mango habanero salsa can be pretty spicy.
Refrigerator Storing Instructions: Place the salsa in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Freezer Storing Instructions: The freezer changes the texture of salsa, and I do not recommend freezing salsa.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment or take a picture and tag me on Instagram.
Mango Habanero Salsa
Equipment
- 1 Knive
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 cups (330g) mango, roughly chopped
- 1 to 2 habanero peppers
- 2 large tomatoes seeds removed and roughly chopped
- ½ red bell pepper roughly chopped
- ½ red onion roughly chopped
- Juice of 1 fresh lime
- ¼ cup (4g) cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 pinches of salt
- Optional: additional salt, pepper, and lime for seasoning
Instructions
Step One – Blending:
- Combine mango, habanero peppers, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, lime juice, cilantro, and salt in a food processor or blender.
- Pulse the mixture until it reaches your desired texture, whether chunky or smooth.
Step Two – Serving:
- Transfer the salsa to a serving bowl.
- Adjust the flavor with additional salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste.
- Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.
