Mango Salsa for Fish Tacos

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Fresh Mango Salsa is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy! Packed with ripe mangoes, crisp bell peppers, and a hint of jalapeño heat, this salsa takes your favorite Shrimp Tacos or Baked Fish Taco Recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. Get ready to sweeten your Taco Tuesday with this easy and delicious recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Salsa is one of those quintessential flavors of Summer. Many people find the summer months incomplete without a serving of salsa. However, far too often, people only know of one type of salsa. But there’s more to life than tomato-based salsa. This fresh mango salsa recipe, for example.

I love this recipe for Mango Salsa so so much! It’s a sweeter and juicier salsa than traditional pico de gallo and just as easy to make. The trick? Use ripe mangoes! The riper they are, the sweeter the salsa. Add as much or as little jalapeño, depending on your heat tolerance.

Ingredients Needed for Fresh Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa uses simple ingredients, but they should be fresh! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ripe Mango – Use two ripe and sweet mangos! Peel and dice into bite sized pieces.
• Red Bell Pepper – Red bell peppers are sweeter than yellow or green and provide great color. If you only have a yellow or green bell pepper, feel free to use it.
• Green Onions – Used for subtle oniony flavor.
• Jalapeño – I used one half of a jalapeño for this recipe but if you like things spicier, add a whole one OR if you’re feeling spicy, add two!
• Fresh Cilantro – For garnish and for taste. If you hate the taste of cilantro just leave it out.
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice will keep the colors bright and help bring out the sweetness of the mango. If you’re in a pinch, the bottled kind will do, but fresh is best.
• Pantry Staples– Salt + Black Pepper

Variations

Feel free to customize this mango salsa recipe to your liking. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

• Pineapple: Acidic, sweet, and juicy! Substitute pineapple for mango for a tropical twist.
• Habanero: This is not for the faint of heart. Replace jalapenos with habanero pepper for a spicy wild ride.
• Avocado: Create an avocado mango salsa by adding diced avocado. Creamy, soft, and refreshing!
• Peach: For when peaches are in season. Add some more sweetness to this salsa.
• Black Beans: A can of rinsed, drained black beans gives the salsa a heartier texture and more protein. 
• Corn: Add corn kernels to the mango salsa, either fresh or canned. This variation gives the salsa a pleasant crunch and a hint of sweetness. You can also use fresh grilled corn on the cob for some charred pops of flavor.
• Tomato: For a more traditional salsa, add tomatoes. Diced tomatoes and fresh mango go well together to add a colorful and flavorful twist. The sweet tomatoes add a nice acidity to the salsa and balance out the sweetness of the mango.
• Cucumber: To give the mango salsa a cooling and refreshing flavor, add diced cucumber. When served as a topping for grilled fish or seafood, this variation works well. 
• Basil: In the mango salsa, replace the cilantro with fresh basil leaves. This variant offers a distinctive herbal note and goes well with dishes with a Mediterranean flair.
• Red Onion: When combined with the sweetness of ripe fresh mangoes, the red onion’s flavor helps balance out the overall taste profile, creating a vibrant and flavorful salsa with a nice contrast of sweet and savory. Additionally, red onion adds a pop of color to the salsa.

You can also combine these additions to make tasteful themed variations. A few that I could recommend include the following:

• Sweet and Spicy – Make it a spicy mango salsa by adding a portion of diced pineapple and a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for that perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors.
• Tropical – Add diced papaya and mint leaves to create that fresh, tropical flavor.
• Creamy – Add a portion of diced avocado and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream to create a creamy blended version of this fresh mango salsa recipe.

How to Make Fresh Mango Salsa

Now that you have all the ingredients you want for your Mango Salsa, it’s time to get chopping. For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements see the printable recipe card below.

1. Prepare all Ingredients

Prepare all your ingredients by washing, peeling, dicing, chopping, whatever you need to do.

2. Combine All Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine diced mangoes, red bell pepper, green onions, jalapeno, and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Squeeze fresh limes over the mixture and season with salt and black pepper.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Uses for Fresh Mango Salsa

There are so many uses for a great salsa like this one. Just a few of the ways you could use this mango salsa recipe include the following:

• It can be used as a garnish for pork tenderloin, grilled chicken or fish– Mango salsa is an ideal garnish for lean meat, like pork tenderloin, grilled chicken, and even for fish, especially baked fish tacos. The salsa’s succulent nature helps to keep leaner meats moist and juicy while still contributing to the flavor.

• With tortilla chips or vegetable crudites, you can use it as a dip– Like most other types of salsa, this mango salsa recipe is an ideal choice as a dip. Whether you eat it with tortilla chips, vegetable crudites, or even potato crisps, it gives a wonderful burst of flavor.

• Quesadillas, burritos, tacos, or enchiladas could all benefit from adding it- Salsa is a popular (and arguably traditional) addition to many South and Central American dishes. From quesadillas to burritos, tacos to enchiladas, many of your favorite dishes from this region benefit as much from mango salsa as they do from traditional salsa recipes.

• Pair it with grilled shrimp or scallops- Thanks to its tangy, semi-sweet flavor, this fresh mango salsa recipe pairs well with either grilled shrimp or scallops. It helps to balance the savory, low-key flavors of the grilled seafood while simultaneously imbuing it with moisture.

• Add it to salads for a burst of flavor- Salads can be delightful, but they can also be a bit bland sometimes. If your salad just doesn’t have enough zing, consider adding some of this wonderful fresh mango salsa. Much like a salad dressing, it will increase the moisture content while adding a burst of flavor.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

Store any remaining salsa in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 5-6 days.

Make Ahead– You absolutely can prepare the salsa a few hours in advance for flavors to meld.

What to Serve with Mango Salsa

• Fiesta Lime Chicken
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Skewers
• Carnitas
• Classic Guacamole (and tortilla chips!)

More Salsa Recipes to Try!

This mango salsa has become a family favorite! If you loved this recipe you are sure to love my other salsa recipes. Check out a few here:

• Grilled Corn Salsa
• Fresh Tomato Salsa
• Basic Salsa Recipe (from canned tomatoes)
• Pomegranate Salsa
• Holiday Cranberry Salsa

With vibrant colors and refreshing flavors, this homemade Mango Salsa is sure to be a hit at your next taco night. Whether you’re hosting a summer soirée or craving a quick dinner fix, this recipe is a must-try. The printable recipe card is below. Happy Taco Tuesday, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.