Sweet and spicy, this Mango Habanero Salsa recipe is an easy and quick one to make for chips and dip, tacos, fajitas, qusadillas, salads, and more.
Looking for a bold sauce that brings sweet heat to just about anything? This mango habanero recipe is fiery, fruity, and ridiculously good on everything from tacos to grilled shrimp.
Roasting the ingredients makes all the difference. It deepens the flavors and balances the spice with caramelized sweetness.
Trust us—you’ll want to put this on everything!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
I recipe tested this a few times and got feedback from salsa lovers of varying spice levels before finalizing this recipe that you see here. I hope you love the final recipe!
Personally, I love this salsa for so many reasons, and think you will, too!
- Sweet mango + spicy habanero = the dream team
- Roasting makes the flavors richer and deeper
- It’s super easy—just roast, blend, done
- It tastes gourmet but takes under 30 minutes
- Totally customizable: go spicier, tangier, or even add pineapple
- Keeps well in the fridge for days
- Looks bright and beautiful on the plate
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Fresh mango – Sweet and juicy! It softens the heat and adds tropical vibes. Use ripe mangos for the best flavor.
- Habanero pepper – Brings a hint of fire. One is plenty, but add more if you love extra heat. You can sub with jalapeño for a milder kick.
- Tomatoes – They add body and a touch of acidity. Roma or plum tomatoes work best.
- Onions – Onion adds natural sweetness and depth. Yellow or white onions are both fine to use.
- Garlic – Because every recipe is better with garlic! Roasting mellows the bite and adds savoriness.
- Olive oil – Helps everything caramelize while roasting and gives the sauce a silky finish. Use your favorite extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Cilantro – Adds that fresh, herbal pop at the end. Not a fan? Swap it with parsley.
- Lime juice – Brightens it all up! Don't skip this. Bottled is fine in a pinch, but fresh lime juice is always better.
- Kosher salt – Essential for balancing the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
You'll find the full list of ingredients with measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here are step-by-step photos and a recipe overview to show you how easy it is to make this mango habañero salsa.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Toss mango, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and habanero with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes until caramelized and soft.
- Let it cool slightly, then transfer to a blender or food processor.
- Add cilantro, lime juice, and more salt to taste.
- Blend until smooth. Adjust heat, lime, and salt as needed.
- Serve warm or chilled. Store in the fridge in a sealed jar.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
It’s got a kick! Habaneros can be hot - it varies from pepper to pepper. You can tone it down by using less pepper or removing the seeds and ribs before roasting.
You can, but the flavor won’t be as deep or smoky. Roasting is worth the few extra minutes.
Yep! 100% plant-based and dairy-free.
Store in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for about 5–7 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
🍽 Serving ideas
This sauce is a vibe for cookouts, game days, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, or anytime you want to spice up dinner.
- Drizzle it over tacos, especially fish or shrimp tacos.
- Serve with grilled chicken, pork chops, or steak.
- Add a spoonful to taco bowls, vegetarian nachos, chicken fajitas, or quesadillas.
- Use it as a dip for plantain chips or tortilla chips.
- Also great on holiday party platters as a spicy-sweet condiment.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
I love to pair spicy salsas and sauces like this with a Riesling or a Rosé wine.
- Riesling (off-dry or slightly sweet) – The sweetness balances the heat like a charm. Look for one with juicy notes of peach, citrus, or apricot. It cools down the spice and lifts the tropical vibes of the mango.
- Rosé (dry or semi-sweet) – A fruity rosé with bright acidity is perfect for this salsa. It won’t overpower the flavors and plays nicely with both the sweetness and the spice. Think chilled glass, patio, chips and salsa—perfection.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
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Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Mango Habanero Salsa
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, onions, habañeros, garlic cloves, and olive oil. Toss together gently to coat, then spread the coated vegetables out onto the prepared, lined baking sheet.
- Roast at 450°F for 20-25 minutes, until the vegetables have a slight char on them. If the vegetables are not as charred as you would like, you can then switch the oven to broil and broil for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the roasted vegetables, mango, cilantro, salt, and lime juice to a food processor (or high powered blender).
- Process on low to start, then increase speed to high and process until the salsa reaches your desired level of chunkiness.
- Pour the salsa into a bowl and cover, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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