Mango salsa salmon is a perfect quick and easy healthy dinner recipe. Ready in under 15 minutes, with instructions for the air fryer and the oven, this mango salsa salad is great for lunch, dinner or entertaining! This recipe is naturally gluten free, Whole30 and paleo friendly!
Why this recipe works
- Homemade mango salsa is the perfect topping for freshly cooked salmon! You won’t believe how easy this mango salsa is to make!
- Use defrosted mango chunks so you never have to worry about cutting a fresh mango! This recipe tastes so fresh even with the frozen mango!
- Serve this mango salsa salmon over tacos, over salad or with your favorite side (jasmine rice or cilantro lime cauliflower rice would both be excellent).
Top tips
If you are going to use frozen salmon, be sure defrost it first. The easiest way to defrost salmon is to put it in the fridge overnight in a container (in case it leaks).
If you forget to defrost the salmon and it’s individually portioned, you can quickly defrost salmon by placing in on a baking sheet on your counter. I’m not sure exactly why this works but the metal pan helps the fish defrost in like 20 minutes. Just be sure to flip it at least one time.
How to make homemade mango salsa
Mango salsa is the perfect contrast to salmon, and the bite from the lime is keeps it from being too sweet. The perfect combination of sweet and savory!
This homemade mango salsa salmon uses frozen mango that is defrosted in the fridge or in the microwave. No need to learn how to cut and peel a mango to make this super fresh mango salsa! What else do you need for mango salsa:
- Red bell pepper
- Red Onion
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
Step 1: To make the homemade mango salsa, start by defrosting the mango. You can do this in the fridge overnight or defrost it in the microwave in about 1 minute.
Step 2: Once the mango has been defrosted, you will want to cut the chunks of frozen mango down into smaller, bite size pieces.
Step 3: Chop the rest of the vegetables and add them to the mango. Squeeze lime juice and add a pinch of salt and stir well.
Step 4: Store this mango salsa in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to make Mango Salsa Salmon
Step 1: Make the mango salsa and allow it to sit, as the flavors get better the longer it sits.
Step 2: After the salsa is made, sprinkle the salmon with salt and garlic powder before cooking.
Step 3: Cook the salmon: You can use the 7 minute salmon method below or cook it in the airfryer.
How to make 7 minute salmon?
Cooking fresh salmon in under 10 minutes is possible using a combination of the stove and the broiler.
- Start by preheating a oven safe pan – stainless steel or cast iron – on a medium high heat. Also preheat your broiler in your oven on high.
- Once the pan is hot, add the salmon, skin side down and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- After 3-4 minutes on the stove, transfer the entire pan under the broiler and cook for 3-4 minutes until the salmon is completely cooked through.
- The skin will be crispy and the salmon will be cooked through, all in under 10 minutes!
How to serve Mango Salsa Salmon:
- In a bowl with Whole30 dirty cauliflower rice and sliced avocado
- On top of a lettuce leaf with crunchy slaw for a simple taco style meal.
- Burrito bowl style on top of shredded romaine with cauliflower rice, some chopped veggies and avocado cilantro dressing!
FAQ’s:
How long will this recipe last in the fridge?
The salmon can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days after cooking. The mango salsa can be stored separate from the salmon for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Can you use fresh mango instead of frozen?
Yes! I prefer to use frozen mango because it’s always ripe and I am not very good at cutting mango. You could easily use fresh mango instead.
Substitutions:
- Mango: If you don’t have mango, you could also use pineapple instead!
- Red bell pepper: You can use any color bell pepper or just leave it out of the recipe. You could use jicama in it’s place!
- Red onion: If you cannot have red onion, try chopped scallions (green part only) instead!
- Salmon: This recipe could also be served with trout or even chicken! To make it with chicken you will want to cook it on the stove in cubes or in the oven for juicy chicken breast.
If you love this recipe you should try
- Cajun Salmon Sheet Pan Meal
- Everything Bagel Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Sushi Rice Cakes
- Curry Salmon Cakes with Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce
- Easy salmon bites
- Whole30 Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
What you need to make this recipe
Mango Salsa Salmon
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets - with the skin on
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups defrosted mango chunks - slightly chopped
- 2 red bell peppers - cored and diced
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup cilantro - chopped
- juice of 2 limes
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Make the mango salsa. Defrost the mango in the microwave and chop the mango into smaller, bite size pieces. and red bell pepper into bite, red onion and cilantro. Add these ingredients to a bowl and squeeze lime juice and sprinkle with salt. Mix to combine.
- Chop the red bell pepper, red onion and cilantro. Add it to the mango chunks. Squeeze lime juice and salt over the mango and vegetables and stir well.
- Sprinkle the salt and garlic powder evenly between salmon fillets.
- Cook the salmon according to the Airfryer Salmon Recipe or the 7 minute salmon below.
- Taste the salsa for salt and seasoning before spooning it over the salmon.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
Substitutions:
Mango: If you don’t have mango, you could also use pineapple instead! Red bell pepper: You can use any color bell pepper or just leave it out of the recipe. You could use jicama in it’s place! Red onion: If you cannot have red onion, try chopped scallions (green part only) instead! How to make 7 minute salmon?- Start by preheating a oven safe pan – stainless steel or cast iron – on a medium high heat. Also preheat your broiler in your oven on high.
- Once the pan is hot, add the salmon, skin side down and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Once the skin is crispy, place the entire pan under the broiler and cook for 3-4 minutes until the salmon is completely cooked through.
Nutrition Information
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Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in May of 2016, but was published again in October 2019 to include step by step directions, recipe notes and new photos
Debra Bolocofsky
Thursday 2nd of June 2016
This looks delicious. Have a great week. Debi @ Adorned From Above
Ashleigh
Monday 30th of May 2016
Salmon is our go to for late nights home from work. I never thought about putting mango salsa on it. I'll be trying yours next time I prepare my favorite fish!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
Friday 27th of May 2016
I have a link to a good tutorial on how to cut a mango on my Avocado Mango Salsa recipe. I don't want to leave the link here because I've heard leaving links in comments is frowned upon by Google, but you can find it on my blog if you still need a tutorial. Or email me and I will dig it up for you. :) It makes things a lot easier...I had the same issue! And this looks so delicious! I love any kind of mango salsa and on top of fish it is wonderful!
jill conyers
Friday 27th of May 2016
I love mango especially in salsa [with jalapenos] but I don't love cutting them up. It's almost impossible to get cubes.
Happy Friday Sam!
Kristy @ Southern In Law
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
The easiest way to cut a mango is to peel it! This looks like the perfect summer meal!