Did you know that combining mango and avocado creates one of the top five most popular fusion salsas in North America? You’ll love how this bright and zesty combination brings together creamy avocado with sweet, tropical mango for an explosion of fresh flavors. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or elevating your taco Tuesday, this versatile salsa adds the perfect balance of textures and tastes that’ll keep everyone coming back for more.
Key Takeaways
- Combine diced ripe mangoes and avocados with finely chopped red onion and lime juice for a fresh, no-cook salsa.
- Maintains distinct textures by gently folding ingredients together without mashing, perfect for scooping with tortilla chips.
- Serve immediately as a vibrant topping for fish tacos or as a dip with crispy chips.
- Coat avocado chunks with lime juice and press plastic wrap directly on surface to prevent browning.
- Balance sweet tropical mango with buttery avocado and sharp red onion for a crowd-pleasing Mexican fusion dip.
History
While the exact origins of avocado mango salsa aren’t well documented, this fusion dish represents the beautiful marriage of Mexican and tropical culinary traditions.
You’ll find its roots in both coastal Mexican cuisine, where fresh seafood meets vibrant salsas, and in the creative adaptations of modern Tex-Mex cooking.
The combination gained popularity in the 1990s as chefs began experimenting with fresh fruit in traditional Mexican dishes.
You’ll notice how perfectly this salsa bridges traditional pico de gallo‘s tangy punch with tropical sweetness! The pairing makes perfect sense when you consider that both mangoes and avocados are native to Mexico and Central America, where they’ve been cultivated for thousands of years.
Today, this bright and flavorful salsa has become a staple at beachside taquerias and upscale restaurants alike.
Recipe
This vibrant and tropical avocado mango salsa brings together the sweetness of ripe mangoes with the buttery richness of avocados. The combination creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures, enhanced by the sharp bite of red onion and bright citrus notes.
A versatile dish that requires no cooking, this salsa works beautifully as a topping for fish tacos, grilled chicken, or simply served with tortilla chips. The fresh ingredients come together in minutes, making it an ideal choice for quick entertaining or a light summer accompaniment.
- 2 ripe mangoes
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 red onion
- 2 limes
- Salt to taste
Dice the mangoes and avocados into similar-sized small cubes and finely chop the red onion. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the mixture and add salt to taste. Gently fold all ingredients together using a spatula, being careful not to mash the avocado and mango pieces. Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
For optimal results, select mangoes that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape when cut. The avocados should be ripe but not overly soft, yielding slightly when pressed.
To maintain freshness and prevent browning, prepare the salsa immediately before serving. If storage is necessary, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the salsa and refrigerate for no more than 4 hours. Allow the salsa to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Cooking Steps
You’ll want to start by dicing your fresh mangoes and finely chopping the red onion until it’s uniform in size.
Next, carefully cut your perfectly ripe avocados into chunks and coat everything generously with fresh lime juice to prevent browning.
Finally, combine all ingredients with a light touch, gently folding them together until they’re evenly mixed but still maintain their distinct textures!
Step 1. Dice Mangoes Into Chunks
Start by slicing around each ripe mango lengthwise on both sides of the flat pit to create two halves.
Score the flesh of each mango half in a crosshatch pattern, making sure not to cut through the skin.
Then, gently push the skin upward from underneath to expose the gorgeous yellow-orange cubes.
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the mango chunks away from the skin and let them fall into your mixing bowl. They should be about 1/2-inch in size – perfect for scooping with chips!
Don’t forget to cut around the pit to get any remaining fruit.
For this recipe, you’ll want about 2 cups of diced mango total. The chunks should be firm enough to hold their shape but ripe enough to be sweet and juicy!
Step 2. Chop Onion Until Fine
Peeling back the papery skin of your red onion reveals the vibrant purple flesh ready for fine chopping.
Place your onion on a clean cutting board and slice it in half from top to bottom. Remove the outer layers and discard them.
With the flat side down, make lengthwise cuts through the onion, being careful not to cut all the way through the root end.
Next, rotate the onion 90 degrees and slice crosswise to create a fine dice. You’ll want pieces about 1/8-inch in size for the perfect texture in your salsa!
Keep those tears at bay by working quickly and efficiently.
If your eyes are sensitive, try chilling the onion for 15 minutes before cutting – it really helps reduce the tear-inducing compounds that are released while chopping.
Step 3. Cut Avocados When Ripe
With your finely diced onion waiting, it’s time to tackle those perfectly ripened avocados!
Grab your avocados and check their ripeness by gently pressing the skin – it should give slightly under pressure but not feel mushy.
Cut each avocado lengthwise around the pit, then twist the halves apart. Remove the pit by carefully striking it with your knife and twisting.
Next, score the flesh in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to pierce the skin. Scoop out the cubes with a large spoon directly into your mixing bowl.
Work quickly to prevent browning! You’ll want uniform, half-inch cubes that’ll hold their shape when mixed with the other ingredients.
If you notice any brown spots, simply discard those pieces and move on to the prettier portions.
Step 4. Add Lime Juice Evenly
Once you’ve assembled your diced ingredients, it’s time to add the bright citrus splash that brings everything together! Cut your fresh limes in half and squeeze them evenly over your mango-avocado mixture.
You’ll want the juice to coat all the pieces thoroughly – this not only adds a zesty kick but helps prevent your avocados from browning.
Make sure you’re distributing the lime juice while gently folding the ingredients. Don’t pour all the juice in one spot! Instead, drizzle it across the surface in a circular motion, then use your spoon to carefully incorporate it throughout the salsa.
The goal is to have every bite kissed with that tangy citrus flavor while keeping your perfectly diced fruits intact.
Step 5. Mix Gently Until Combined
The final step brings all your colorful ingredients together into a harmonious blend! Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold the mango, avocado, and red onion until they’re evenly mixed.
You’ll want to use a light touch here – aggressive stirring will turn your beautiful chunks into mush.
Watch as the lime juice coats each piece, creating a glistening finish that’ll help prevent browning.
Make smooth, sweeping motions from bottom to top, rotating the bowl as you go. You’ll know you’re done when the ingredients are well-distributed but still maintain their distinct shapes.
The finished salsa should showcase a gorgeous mix of yellow, green, and purple pieces, each bringing its own texture and flavor to every bite!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or just craving a bright and zesty snack, this avocado mango salsa delivers incredible tropical flavors that’ll wow your guests!
You’ll love how the creamy avocados perfectly complement the sweet mangoes, while red onion adds a delightful crunch and bite.
Don’t forget that timing is everything with this recipe. For the best results, serve it immediately after preparation.
If you need to make it ahead, remember to press plastic wrap directly onto the surface – this will help prevent the avocados from browning.
This versatile salsa works brilliantly as a topping for fish tacos, grilled chicken, or simply paired with crispy tortilla chips.
The fresh ingredients and vibrant colors make it an instant crowd-pleaser at any gathering!
