Mango salsa is a delicious condiment that can complement a variety of dishes thanks to its sweet yet tangy flavor. In this article, we’ll explore what foods pair best with mango salsa and provide recipes to help you enjoy this bright topping to its fullest potential.
What is Mango Salsa?
Mango salsa is a chunky salsa made from mangoes, onions, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and other ingredients. It offers a sweet yet tart flavor from the ripe, juicy mangoes balanced by the kick of onions, jalapeños, and citrus juice. The texture is also distinctive with chunks of mango interspersed with crunchy onions and peppers.
Unlike tomato salsa, mango salsa delivers more fruity sweetness than savory tomato flavor. It makes a refreshing topping for meats like fish, chicken, and pork thanks to the sweet mango coupled with a little heat. The freshness of mango salsa also pairs nicely with seafood like shrimp and scallops.
You can make mango salsa as spicy or as mild as you prefer by adjusting the quantities of jalapeño and other peppers. Part of the appeal of this salsa is its versatility – dress it up with extras like cumin, cayenne, cilantro, lime zest, or red onion to customize the flavor.
What Does Mango Salsa Go Well With?
Here are some of the best food pairings for mango salsa:
Fish
Mango salsa is an excellent topping for firm white fish like tilapia, cod, haddock, and halibut. The sweet mango balances the mild flavor of white fish beautifully. Try spooning mango salsa over a simple grilled or baked white fish fillet for a fast weeknight dinner. Salmon is another great pairing – the richness of the salmon is nicely offset by the sweet-tart mango salsa.
Shellfish
Mango salsa pairs wonderfully with shrimp, scallops, lobster, and crab. The sweetness accentuates the natural sweetness of the seafood while the lime, jalapeño, and onions cut through the richness. Use mango salsa as a topping for grilled shrimp skewers, seared scallops, or simple boiled shrimp cocktail. Stuff it into a baked fish fillet along with shrimp before baking for a flavorful stuffed fish dish.
Chicken
Boneless skinless chicken breasts and tenders take well to the flavor of mango salsa. You can marinate chicken in mango salsa before grilling for a caramelized flavor. Or top baked or grilled chicken with the salsa as a finishing touch. The sweet and savory mixture gives a burst of summery flavor to otherwise bland chicken.
Pork
Like chicken, pork benefits from the sweet fruity flavor of mango salsa. The salsa helps to cut through the richness of pork deliciously. Try spooning some over grilled pork chops or tenderloin. You can also mix some into ground pork as a tasty addition when making pork patties or meatballs.
Vegetables
Don’t limit mango salsa to just seafood and meats! It also pairs wonderfully with grilled veggies like zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, and corn on the cob. The salsa adds a punch of flavor and freshness to otherwise neutral veggies. Try topping your mixed grilled veggie kebabs with a dollop of mango salsa.
Quesadillas
Add a scoop of mango salsa inside a cheese quesadilla for an instant flavor upgrade. The sweet mango balances the richness of the cheese beautifully. You can also stuff shrimp, chicken, or pork quesadillas with some mango salsa mixed in for more protein. Grill or pan fry the quesadillas until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp.
Nachos
No nacho platter is complete without a array of salsas and mango salsa is a stellar choice. The sweetness pairs perfectly with the salty nachos and cheese. Stir some into the cheese sauce for even more flavor. Top your nachos with mango salsa alongside guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and sour cream.
Tacos
Mango salsa makes a wonderful filling for tacos of all kinds. Mix it into the filling for shrimp, fish, chicken or pork tacos. Or add it as a topping along with shredded cabbage, avocado, and cilantro. Don’t be afraid to stir some mango salsa into the taco sauce for a fruity twist.
Salads
Liven up your leafy green salads by tossing mango salsa into the mix. It pairs well with chicken, shrimp, or pork salads but also adds unique flavor to a veggie-only salad. Depending on the other ingredients, mango salsa dresses up salads with a little sweetness along with a tangy kick.
Dips
Mango salsa really shines as a dip all on its own with tortilla chips. You can also blend it into cream cheese or sour cream for a quick chip dip. Pair it with sliced jicama, bell peppers, radishes, or cucumber slices for a refreshing veggie dip. It makes a nice topping for bruschetta or crostini appetizers too.
Eggs
Wake up breakfast by topping your scrambled eggs or omelets with mango salsa. The sweet and savory flavors complement eggs wonderfully. For a really unique twist, spoon some mango salsa into your morning omelet before cooking or mix it into scrambled eggs. The eggs will absorb some of the delicious flavors.
Burgers
Burgers might seem like an odd match for fruity mango salsa but don’t knock it til you try it! The sweetness balances the juicy savory burger beautifully. Top your beef, turkey, or veggie burger with a big dollop of mango salsa or mix some into burger patties before cooking. Grilled pineapple salsa burgers are especially amazing.
Sandwiches
Pack excitement into lunchtime sandwiches with mango salsa. Stir some into tuna, chicken, or egg salad for a flavor boost. Or add it as a topping to your favorite sub or grinder for a touch of sweetness. Even simple turkey and cheese sandwiches benefit from the addition of this bright fruity salsa.
Pizza
If you like pineapple on your pizza, try mango salsa for an even bolder tropical twist. The mango flavor gives pizza a delicious sweet contrast to the salty cheese and crust. Use mango salsa as the base sauce or add it as a fun topping alongside chicken, pepperoni, bacon, or other toppings.
Recipe Ideas
Here are some delicious recipes showcasing how to use mango salsa:
Mango Shrimp Tacos
These colorful shrimp tacos are loaded with sweet mango salsa, crunchy cabbage, and creamy avocado.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup mango salsa, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, toss shrimp with lime juice and chili powder. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink.
- Warm tortillas according to package directions.
- To assemble tacos, smear 2 tablespoons mango salsa on each tortilla. Top with shrimp, cabbage, avocado and cilantro.
- Serve with remaining mango salsa on the side.
Mango Stuffed Mahi Mahi
This baked mahi mahi is stuffed with a mango salsa and lime mixture for incredible summery flavor.
Ingredients:
- 4 6-ounce mahi mahi fillets
- 1 cup mango salsa
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut a horizontal slit in the center of each mahi mahi fillet to form a pocket.
- In a bowl, mix together mango salsa, cilantro, and lime juice. Spoon quarter of this mixture into each mahi mahi pocket.
- Brush mahi mahi all over with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Serve immediately.
Mango Chicken Quesadillas
These quesadillas are filled with chicken, mango salsa, and cheese for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
- 1 cup mango salsa
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 4 10-inch flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Sour cream for serving
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together shredded chicken, mango salsa, and cheese.
- Assemble quesadillas by spooning chicken mixture onto half of each tortilla. Fold tortillas over to enclose filling.
- Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 quesadilla and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy and golden.
- Remove quesadilla to a cutting board and tent with foil. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
- Slice quesadillas into wedges. Serve with sour cream.
Storing and Handling Mango Salsa
Properly storing homemade or store-bought mango salsa helps retain its flavor and texture. Here are some tips:
Storage
- Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below, just as you would fresh pico de gallo or tomato salsa.
- Store in an airtight container to prevent drying out and absorbtion of fridge odors.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the salsa before sealing to prevent browning.
- Properly stored, mango salsa will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing
- Mango salsa freezes well for longer term storage.Freeze in reusable containers or freezer bags.
- Leave 1⁄2 inch headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Flat packages freeze faster than thicker containers.
- Thaw salsa overnight in the fridge before using.
- Frozen mango salsa will keep for 3-6 months 0°F.
Avoiding Browning
- Like fresh cut mangoes, mango salsa can brown quickly with exposure to air.
- Use freshly chopped produce and minimize time between making and serving.
- Add lime juice to help slow oxidation and browning.
- Press plastic wrap on the surface before refrigerating.
Conclusion
Mango salsa is one of the most versatile condiments thanks to its irresistible sweet and tangy kick. It pairs excellently with almost any protein like fish, chicken, pork, and shellfish. The natural sweetness of mango also complements veggies, eggs, sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more. Adjust the spiciness to your taste and enjoy mango salsa on its own as a dip or stirred into a variety of recipes from quesadillas to stuffed fish fillets. With proper storage, you can enjoy fresh mango salsa for days and freezing lets you savor it all year round.