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Home » Recipes » Snacks » Mango Habanero Salsa (Spicy!)

Mango Habanero Salsa (Spicy!)

Published: Mar 23, 2022 · Modified: Apr 21, 2023 by Lynn Polito · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

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If you're looking for a sweet and spicy salsa, look no further than this chunky Mango Habanero Salsa recipe! The sweet mango and spicy pepper are the perfect combination! And the best part is, the food processor does most of the work for you!

A close up of the mango habanero salsa

When I first made this spicy salsa, everyone was a little nervous. A habanero? No way! Too spicy! But the fruity mango evens out the spicy pepper, giving you the most delicious salsa!

And you only need a handful of ingredients to bring this salsa together. If you aren't a fan of spicy food, I think you will still love this salsa!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients For Mango Habanero Salsa
  • What Are Habanero Peppers?
  • Equipment You'll Need
  • How To Make Mango Habanero Salsa
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Variations Of Mango Habanero Salsa
  • How To Serve Mango Habanero Salsa
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Other Recipes To Try!
  • 📖 Recipe
An overhead shot of the mango habanero salsa in a bowl

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's full of fresh ingredients! In the Spring and Summer there are so many amazing varieties of produce in the grocery store. This spicy salsa takes advantage of many of them!
  • The food processor does a lot of the work for you! The peppers, onions, and cilantro are all pulsed in the food processor, so you don't have to worry about chopping all those ingredients.
  • It's a change from traditional salsa! We all love a traditional tomato salsa but bring out a fruit salsa and everyone loves it!

Ingredients For Mango Habanero Salsa

Ingredients for the mango habanero salsa
  • Mangoes- At the peak of ripeness.
  • Red Onion- 1 small red onion or half of a large red onion.
  • Mini peppers- You want one cup of peppers. If you only have bell peppers on hand, use one red bell pepper.
  • Habanero pepper- Just one spicy pepper is more than enough! My grocery store had orange available but use whatever color habanero you can find.
  • Fresh Lime Juice- The juice of one lime.
  • Cilantro- Fresh cilantro is best.
  • Chili powder- To give this salsa even more kick and flavor.
  • Salt- For flavoring.
A piece of cilantro is on top of the mango habanero salsa

How To Tell If A Mango Is Ripe

Mangoes can be tricky to tell if they are ripe. From the outside, they all look the same. Here are some tricks to tell when your mango is at peak ripeness.

  • When you squeeze it, a ripe mango should give a little. It should not be rock hard, and it should not mush in your hand.
  • The tip of the mango often has a little nub where the mango attached to the tree. If that piece comes off clean, the mango is ripe.
  • The mango should also smell sweet when it is ripe. Smell it near the stem end to get that classic mango smell.

What Are Habanero Peppers?

Habanero peppers are VERY spicy! When working with them, make sure you use gloves. You don't want to get any of the seeds or the juice from these peppers on your hands, and definitely not in your eyes.

On the Scoville scale, a habanero pepper is 350,000. In comparison, a jalapeno is 3500, so a habanero is 100 times hotter than a jalapeno!

After cutting the habanero and removing the seeds, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you continue anything else.

Two chips are in the bowl of salsa

Equipment You'll Need

  • Food Processor
  • Cutting Board
  • Knives
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Mixing Spoons
  • Citrus Juicer
  • Plastic gloves to cut the habanero pepper

How To Make Mango Habanero Salsa

Clean the red onion and cut it into chunks. Cut the stem off the mini peppers and clean out any seeds. Cut them into chunks and add them to the bowl of the food process. With gloves on, cut the stem off the habanero pepper and remove the seeds and white membrane inside. Place the habanero in the food processor. Pulse 8-10 times until they are minced. Add the cilantro and pulse 5 more times. Add the mixture to a large bowl.

The peppers, red onion, and habanero are cut into chunks
Cut the vegetables into chunks
The vegetables are added to the food processor
Add to the food processor.
The cilantro is added
Add the cilantro to the food processor

Next, we will cut the mangoes. Peel the mangoes with a vegetable peeler and then place them on a cutting board. Cut the mango flesh off the pit and cut the mango into small chunks. Add the mango to the bowl with the peppers. Squeeze the lime into the bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Taste the salsa and season with more salt if necessary.

Two mangoes are on a cutting board
Peel the mangoes.
The mangoes are cut into pieces
Cut the mangoes.
The ingredients for the mango habanero salsa are in a large bowl
Dice the mangoes into small pieces.

Tips and Tricks

  • For best results, allow the mango habanero salsa to hang out in the refrigerator for a few hours. This will chill the salsa as well as allow the flavors to meld together.
  • If you want a chunkier salsa, cut the mango into larger pieces. If you want a less chunky salsa, cut the mango into smaller pieces.
  • Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after working with the habanero pepper. They are so spicy and if they get into your eye, it will not be fun!

Variations Of Mango Habanero Salsa

  • Add some protein! Add a can of black beans to the salsa to make it more filling.
  • Change up the citrus! If you don't have limes, use lemons or a splash or red wine vinegar in place of the fresh lime juice.
  • Use frozen mangoes! Mangoes can be hard to time during different times of the year, so use frozen mangoes chunks instead. Make sure to defrost the mangoes completely and then add them to the pepper and onion mixture.
  • Change up the texture! If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the mangoes in the food processor to create a creamier, smoother salsa.
  • Add other fruit! For an extra fruity salsa, add pineapple, papaya, or even avocados! You'll want to add 1 cup of each type of tropical fruits you choose. Just like this Pineapple Habanero Sauce.
  • Change up the spice level! If a habanero is too spicy, change up the pepper! You can use serrano peppers, jalapeno peppers, or even your favorite hot sauce!

How To Serve Mango Habanero Salsa

Mango Habanero Salsa would be a delicious addition to any of these recipes!

  • Fish tacos
  • Grilled chicken
  • Grilled fish
  • With your favorite tortilla chips like these baked tortilla chips!
  • On top of grilled veggies
  • As a side to your favorite Mexican fusion recipe, like this Beef Enchilada Casserole Glenda created!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my salsa soupy?

I don't recommend putting the mangos in the food processor, that's because the food processor will mash them up too small and cause the salsa to be soupy. Another reason your salsa might be soupy is because your mangos were overripe. If mangos are too ripe, they tend to be very mushy.

How do I store mango habanero salsa?

This salsa will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to place any leftover salsa in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy it.

Is mango habanero salsa gluten free?

Yes! Because there are only fresh ingredients, this salsa is gluten free!

A mango is in the background of the bowl of salsa

Other Recipes To Try!

Did you love this Mango Habanero Salsa? I'd so appreciate it if you would give this recipe a 5 star rating! That will help other hungry readers find my recipes!

And don't forget to tag me on social media here on Instagram or Facebook and share this recipe on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing this journey with me and enjoy these delicious recipes!

  • More Snack Recipes
  • Lemon Cheesecake Bars
  • Sourdough Focaccia
  • Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
  • Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • How To Make A Fruit Rainbow
  • Baked Peach Donuts

📖 Recipe

A close up of the mango habanero salsa

Sweet and Spicy Mango Habanero Salsa

If you're looking for a sweet and spicy salsa, look no further than this chunky Mango Habanero Salsa recipe! The sweet mango and spicy pepper are the perfect combination! And the best part is, the food processor does most of the work for you!
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
Calories: 51kcal
Author: Lynn Polito

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Cutting Boards
  • Knives
  • Citrus Juicer
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Mixing Spoons
  • Plastic Gloves To cut the habanero

Ingredients

  • 3 Large Mangoes Ripe
  • 1 Small Red Onion or ½ large red onion
  • 8 Mini Peppers or 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 Habanero Pepper
  • ¼ cup Cilantro Fresh
  • 1 Lime Juiced
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Plus more if you prefer

Instructions

  • Clean the red onion and cut it into chunks.
  • Cut the stem off the mini peppers and clean out any seeds. Cut them into chunks and add them to the bowl of the food processor.
  • With gloves on, cut the stem off the habanero pepper and remove the seeds and white membrane inside. Place the habanero in the food processor.
  • Pulse 8-10 times until they are minced. Add the cilantro and pulse 5 more times. Add the mixture to a large bowl.
  • Peel the mangoes with a vegetable peeler and then place them on a cutting board. Cut the mango flesh off the pit and cut the mango into small chunks. Add the mango to the bowl with the peppers.
  • Squeeze the lime into the bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Taste the salsa and season with more salt if necessary.

Notes

  • For best flavor, refrigerate the salsa for a few hours before serving.
  • Be VERY careful when working with habanero peppers.  If you can, wear gloves and make sure to wash your hands well with soap and water.  Do not touch your eyes or face after you have cut the pepper as it will irritate your face.
  • To make this less spicy, use jalapeno, serrano, or your favorite hot sauce instead of a habanero pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1473IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @LynnsWayofLife or tag #lynnswayoflife!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rupali

    March 30, 2022 at 8:32 am

    5 stars
    If you love mangoes and chilies, this is a must-try combo. Very refreshing side dish.

    Reply
  2. Susannah

    March 29, 2022 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    Loved this salsa recipe — will be making again. Mango and habanero are a winning combination!

    Reply
  3. Mandy Applegate

    March 28, 2022 at 7:17 am

    5 stars
    Wow - everyone LOVED this mango salsa - I'll be making it again for sure!

    Reply
  4. Donna

    March 27, 2022 at 7:37 pm

    5 stars
    This is my kind of salsa! Had it with fish tacos and it went so well!

    Reply
  5. Eileen Kelly

    March 26, 2022 at 11:18 pm

    5 stars
    What a fabulous salsa recipe. I had some grilled chicken tacos and the mango salsa was the perfect topping.

    Reply
  6. Angela

    March 24, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    This is great! Fresh and spicy.

    Reply
  7. Anne

    March 24, 2022 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! The mangos are perfect with the spicy peppers.

    Reply
  8. Sherry

    March 24, 2022 at 9:51 am

    5 stars
    I made your salsa recipe for a charcuterie board that I did for a baby shower. Everyone loved the dip recipe and asked me for the recipe. Thank you for an easy and great spicy fruit salsa!!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer

    March 24, 2022 at 8:58 am

    5 stars
    I love the sweet-spicy heat in this dish! So good with tortilla chips!

    Reply
  10. Linda

    March 24, 2022 at 1:08 am

    5 stars
    Love the combination flavor of this salsa and how refreshing it is!

    Reply
  11. Rachel

    March 23, 2022 at 3:46 pm

    5 stars
    This salsa was AWESOME! I added a little extra lime... mostly because it helped lessen the spicy notes a bit. My husband wants me to make a batch every week so we always have some in the fridge. LOL Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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Hey there! I'm Lynn and I'm based just outside of Boston. I'm a wife and mom of two with a passion for cooking and creating homemade food for my family.

Whether it's creating new recipes, or exploring tried and true classics, I am constantly trying to show that homemade doesn't have to be hard

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