Mango Salsa — Fresh Summer Side with Fish, Chicken, or Chips
Dice ripe mango + red onion + jalapeño + bell pepper + cilantro. Toss with lime juice and salt. 10 minutes. Serves 4.
Why this recipe works
Mango salsa is the Pakistani diaspora's gift to Mexican cuisine — sweet, spicy, herbal. Pairs surprisingly well with grilled fish, BBQ chicken, or simply scooped with tortilla chips.
What's great about this approach
- No cooking — pure prep work
- Bright, fresh, healthy
- Versatile — taco topping, dip, chicken side
- Prep ahead-friendly — better after 30 min rest
What to watch for
- Dice everything to similar size — affects mouthfeel
- Ripe but firm mango — over-ripe falls apart
- Don't over-salt — mango is naturally sweet
At a glance
| Prep time | Cook / set time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 min | 0 min | 4 | Beginner |
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe (but firm) Chaunsa mango, diced 1cm
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Best mango for this recipe: Nawabpuri Chaunsa or Mosami Chaunsa — see notes in step 1 for why.
Step-by-step instructions
- Dice the mango into 1cm cubes — slightly firm-ripe is best so it holds shape.
- Finely dice the red onion. Soak in cold water for 5 min if you want to mute the bite.
- Remove jalapeño seeds and ribs (keeps heat moderate). Finely dice.
- Combine all in a bowl with cilantro.
- Squeeze lime juice over. Add salt and pepper. Toss gently.
- Let rest 15–30 minutes for flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature.
Tips from our family kitchen
- For more heat, leave the jalapeño seeds in
- Pomegranate seeds make a beautiful color contrast addition
- Add diced cucumber for crunch
Frequently asked questions
How long does mango salsa keep?
1–2 days in the fridge. The mango softens after that.
Can I use frozen mango?
Not ideal — frozen mango is watery when thawed. Use fresh.
What does mango salsa pair with?
Grilled fish (salmon, tilapia), grilled chicken, fish tacos, pork tenderloin, or simply as a chip dip.
Need fresh, naturally-ripened mangoes for this recipe?
Every recipe on this site is tested with mangoes from our family farm in Pir Khursheed Colony, Multan — hand-picked, naturally ripened (zero calcium carbide), and cold-chain shipped Pakistan-wide. Browse our 2026 harvest
— The Malik family
1636/13-A, Pir Khursheed Colony, Multan, 66000, Pakistan
