Looking for an easy yet delicious mango salsa to pile on tortilla chips, fish, chicken and tacos? This recipe is just that!

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Colorful, sweet, tangy, a little smoky, and a little spicy, this mango salsa has it all…without the work! I’ll show you How to Cut a Mango like a pro, and toss with fresh veggies, lime juice, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika to make the best darn mango salsa you’ve ever had.
The first time I made this recipe, let’s just say it didn’t make it to dinner. My hubby and I stood over the bowl, shoveling in salsa like we hadn’t eaten in days. Yes, there were copious amounts of chips involved too. And no, we did not regret it.
The second time I made it, we hid the mango salsa in the fridge until dinner, so we could top it high on Grilled Chicken Breast and Baked Cod.
This recipe and my Mexican Street Corn Recipe will keep your tortilla chips happy for all your Taco Tuesdays to come!
Mango Salsa Ingredients (and Variations)
You only need 7 ingredients to make the best mango salsa ever! Here they are, along with a few variations to make it your own:

- Mangoes – you need ripe mangoes that I’ll show you how to easily slice and dice up! If you want cut mangoes pronto, use pre-cut fresh mango from the grocery store and dice it a bit more finely for the salsa.
- Red bell pepper – red bell pepper adds a pop of complementary sweetness and crunch. You can also use green, yellow, or orange bell pepper if you have those on hand.
- Red onion – red onion adds beautiful color and a bit of tangy sharpness. You can also use scallion or chives instead, or a sweet onion for milder onion flavor.
- Cilantro – cilantro adds that signature Mexican flavor! If you aren’t a cilantro fan, you can use chives or fresh parsley instead.
- Jalapeño – like it kicky? Add in jalapeño or even a dash of cayenne! Don’t like it hot? Leave it out!
- Limes – lime zest and juice add citrusy freshness, brightening up the salsa. If you don’t have limes on hand, try a splash of white wine or rice vinegar (starting with 1 tablespoon).
- Smoked paprika – smoked paprika is a game-changer, adding a touch of – DUH – smokiness! If you’re feeling wild, add in some cooked and diced bacon for a smoky-meaty touch.
How to Make Mango Salsa
This mango salsa is crazy easy to make! Simply dice up the mango, throw all the ingredients in a bowl, toss, and enjoy. Here’s an outline of the steps; full instructions in the recipe card!

Dice the mango. Set the mango upright, cutting about ¼ inch off-center on one side of the stem to slice off one “cheek.” Repeat on the other side. Score the flesh in a small grid pattern to make small cubes. Turn the cheeks inside out. Scoop out the cubes.

Assemble. Place diced mango, bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime zest, and lime juice in a medium bowl.

Toss and dig in. Season with salt, toss, and enjoy!
My Pro Tip
Tips for the Best Mango Salsa
- Use ripe but not mushy mangoes: they should give slightly when pressed but not be mushy. Overripe mangoes = mushy salsa.
- Evenly dice mangoes into mini cubes: small pieces = maximum flavor in every bite.
- Salt matters: salt enhances flavor. Don’t skimp!
- Chill slightly before serving if you have time: 30 minutes in the fridge lets flavors meld together.
Serving Suggestions
I can tell you from first-hand experience that it’s hard to go wrong serving this mango salsa! Whether you serve it as an appetizer with Homemade Tortilla Chips, on top of fish or Fish Tacos, or on Grilled Chicken Breast or Chicken Tacos, this salsa recipe is so versatile. Honestly, grabbing a spoon and eating straight from the bowl is not a bad idea either!

FAQs
A splash of rice or white wine vinegar works well too! Start with 1 tablespoon and scale up depending on your taste.
It’s best enjoyed within 3 days, storing in an airtight container in the fridge.
Freezing mango salsa isn’t ideal; the textures change too much!
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If you’ve tried this Mango Salsa Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!

Best Mango Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups freshly diced mango, 3-4 just-ripe mangoes needed (instructions below for dicing)
- ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (or more to taste)
- ½ lime, zested
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Set the mango upright, with the stem facing up. Cut about ¼ inch off-center on one side of the stem to slice off one “cheek.” Repeat on the other side.
- Take one cheek and score the flesh in a small grid pattern to make small cubes. Do the same with the other cheek. Turn the cheeks inside out. Scoop out the cubes with the knife.
- Cut the thin strips of flesh left on each side of the pit and dice it up!
- Place diced mango, bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, ½ of a lime zested, and lime juice in a medium bowl.
- Toss, season with salt, toss again, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can buy fresh pre-cut mango, but make sure it’s not mushy or brown. You probably want to cut the mango chunks into a smaller dice so all the flavors of the salsa meld together! Prefer to cut mango yourself? Use the directions above or my in-depth tutorial on How to Cut a Mango.
- Don’t like cilantro? Use fresh chives or parsley!
- You’ll need about 2 limes to yield 2 tablespoons of juice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious and summery. Your tips on how to cut a mango are so helpful too!
Thanks!! I know those mangoes can be tricky to cut ๐
Grace
Sweet, salty, smoky, tangyโฆthis salsa had so many dimensions and was very easy to make. Made grilled chicken breasts taste like a gourmet meal!
Love this salsa over grilled chicken too!!
Grace
YUM I used this on my cod and it brought the fish to a whole different level. I love making mango salsa since it reminds me of the old Geico caveman commercials lol!! Plus I love it on everything in the summer. This recipe is great.
Hi! It’s the BEST on fish! Glad you loved it ๐
Grace