Mango Cucumber Salsa

Mango Cucumber Salsa offers a delightful mix of sweetness, crunch, and tang, making it a refreshing and versatile condiment. Whether paired with tacos, fish, chicken, or enjoyed with chips, its vibrant flavors shine through. With the option to use fresh or frozen mango, this recipe ensures a taste of the tropics anytime of the year.

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Mango Salsa Ingredients 

The beauty of mango salsa is that it features a simple, winning combination of in-season produce and bold flavors that all complement each other. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mango- Sweet, tropical, and full of juicy peach-orange flesh. When out of season, frozen mango is a perfect alternative to fresh.
• English Cucumber- With crunch and subtle sweetness, cucumber adds texture and coolness.
• Red Onion- For bite, spice, sweetness and savory notes.
• Jalapeño- Roasted until smoky and mellowed but still packing a spicy punch.
• Red Bell Pepper- Sweet, crisp and adding beautiful color.
• Cilantro- This herb adds distinctive freshness.
• Lime Juice- Bright acidity to balance out and enhance all the other flavors.
• Chili Powder- Adds a delightful kick and depth of flavor.
• Garlic Olive Oil (optional)- For an extra nutty, savory drizzle.
• Salt & Pepper- Enhance overall flavor and balance sweetness.

Frozen vs. Fresh Mango 

One of the nice things about this mango salsa recipe is that you can use either frozen or fresh mangos with great results. Each option has its own pros and cons when it comes to prep.

Using Frozen Mango

Frozen mango chunks are extremely convenient – you can keep them on hand in the freezer and simply thaw what you need for the salsa. However, fully frozen mango can be tough to chop into bite-sized pieces. 

The best approach is to measure out the mango while still frozen, then let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to partially defrost. This makes the mango easy to chop without becoming a slippery mess, that often happens when fully defrosted. Once chopped into smaller pieces, you can stir the semi-thawed mango right into the salsa mix.

Using Fresh Mango

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a perfectly ripe, succulent fresh mango. But cutting into one of these tropical fruits can be a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before. Here are the steps:

• Position the Mango- Place the mango on a cutting board with the stem end facing up. The narrow, oblong pit runs lengthwise in the middle of the mango.
• Locate the Pit- With a sharp knife, make a vertical cut about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) to the side of the center to avoid the pit. Repeat on the other side, creating two mango “cheeks.”
• Score the Flesh- Take one mango cheek and carefully make lengthwise and crosswise cuts into the flesh, being careful not to cut through the skin. This will create a checkerboard pattern.
• Invert the Mango Cheek- Hold the scored mango cheek from both ends and gently push the skin side up, turning it inside out. The mango cubes will pop up and become easy to eat or cut off with a knife.
• Repeat on the Other Side- Repeat the same process with the other mango cheek.

Why English Cucumbers Are Perfect for Mango Salsa

When searching for the right cucumber to use in mango salsa, look no further than the English variety. Often called burpless, English cucumbers have some unique properties that make them ideal for fresh salsas and salads:

• Mild Flavor- English cucumbers have very thin skins and contain few seeds. This gives them a clean, refreshing flavor without any bitterness. Their mellow flavor perfectly complements the tropical mango without overpowering it.
• Crisp Texture- With a snappy texture, English cucumbers add a satisfying crunch to mango salsa. Their crispiness balances out the soft ripe mango.
• Less Watery- Regular cucumbers tend to weep liquid, quickly turning a salsa into a waterlogged mess. English cucumbers contain less moisture, so the salsa retains its fresh texture longer.
• Easy to Digest- The burpless moniker comes from the fact that English cucumbers contain less of the bitter compounds that can cause gas and bloating. Their skin and seeds are easily digestible.
• Attractive Appearance- With their smooth dark green skin and elongated shape, English cucumbers simply look lovely diced up in a fresh salsa.

Mango Salsa Recipe Variations

The basic mango salsa recipe is really just a starting point. Try mixing it up with different fruits, veggies, seasonings and proteins.

• Tropical Twist- Replace the red bell pepper with diced pineapple for an extra burst of tropical sweetness. This variation is perfect for those who love a combination of sweet and savory.
• Avocado Extravaganza- Add diced avocado to the classic recipe for a creamy texture and rich flavor. The avocado’s buttery consistency complements the crispness of the cucumber and the sweetness of the mango.
• Spicy Mango Madness- Enhance the heat by adding finely chopped habanero peppers to the mix. This variation is for spice enthusiasts who want to kick things up a notch.
• Berry Bliss- Introduce a medley of berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries to the salsa for a colorful and antioxidant-packed twist. This fruity fusion is a delightful departure from the traditional recipe.
• Protein Packed- Diced protein such as salmon, tuna, grilled shrimp or chicken makes a hearty and delicious addition. Serve with chips or as the filling for tacos.
• Corn and Black Bean Fiesta- Add a southwestern flair by including black beans and corn kernels. This variation adds heartiness and depth to the salsa, making it a satisfying side dish or even a light meal on its own.
• Citrus Celebration- Amplify the citrusy goodness by adding segments of orange or grapefruit. The citrus notes elevate the salsa’s brightness, creating a zesty and invigorating flavor profile.

Tips and Hints

• Fresh Mango Selection- When using fresh mangos, choose ripe but firm mangoes for the best texture. Overly ripe mangoes might make the salsa too mushy.
• Frozen Mango Preparation– Make sure to allow the frozen mango chunks to defrost for about 15 minutes before chopping for the easiest preparation. Both completely frozen and defrosted mango can be challenging to chop.
• Cucumber Prep- English cucumbers work well due to their mild flavor and fewer seeds. If using regular cucumbers, consider scooping out the seeds to prevent excess moisture.
• Jalapeño Handling- Be cautious when handling jalapeños, especially when removing seeds. Wearing gloves can prevent irritation, and always wash hands thoroughly afterward.
• Customization- Don’t hesitate to tailor the recipe to your taste. Adjust the quantities of ingredients or experiment with additional herbs and spices.

Fun Ways to Enjoy Mango Cucumber Salsa

• As a Snack– Serve the salsa alongside some crispy tortilla chips for a classic and delicious snack.
• On Top of Protein– Spoon the salsa over grilled fish or Citrus Marinaded Chicken for a tropical twist to your meal.
• Topping for Tacos, Quesadillas or Nachos– Use the salsa as a topping for tacos, quesadillas or nachos, such as Baja Chicken Tacos, Shredded Beef Tacos or Shredded Chicken Nachos.
• As a Salad Dressing– Try this Mango Cucumber Salsa as dressing. With lettuce, grilled shrimp, avocado, queso fresco, and tortilla chips, it’s simply divine!
• Served with Grilled Meats– Pair the salsa with grilled meats such as Carne Asada and Homemade Flour Tortillas for a delicious dinner.
• In a Rice Bowl– A rice bowl dinner of this salsa, rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and All Purpose Chicken Breasts make for a tasty and satisfying dinner.
• In Ceviche– Mix the salsa with and cooked diced fish or shrimp for a light and crunchy ceviche.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make mango salsa ahead of time?

Mango salsa tastes even better when the flavors have had time to meld. Prepare it a few hours in advance, refrigerate, and enjoy the enhanced taste.

 How long will mango salsa keep?

The salsa will keep for approximately 2 days in the refrigerator. The mango will start to break down and release moisture, but the flavors will continue to meld together nicely. Give it a gentle stir before serving.

 How do I pick the perfect ripe mango?

Look for mangos that have a sweet, fruity aroma and that give slightly when pressed. Color is not always a fool-proof indicator, as some mango varieties stay quite green even when ripe. The best method is to go by feel and smell.

Can I make this salsa spicier?

For an extra kick, leave the seeds in the roasted jalapeño. Or try adding more jalapeños, or a hotter pepper variety like habanero. Additionally, chipotle powder or cayenne pepper may be sprinkled in for an even spicer flavor.

Is there a substitute for cilantro?

If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try using a teaspoon of ground coriander or cumin for a deliciously flavorful salsa.