Black Bean Mango Salsa: A Tropical Fiesta for Your Taste Buds

Black bean mango salsa is a vibrant and flavorful dish that perfectly blends sweet, savory, and spicy elements. It’s incredibly versatile, serving as a delicious dip for tortilla chips, a refreshing topping for grilled chicken or fish, or even a vibrant addition to tacos and salads. This recipe is easy to make, packed with healthy ingredients, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering. Let’s dive into creating this culinary delight!

Why You’ll Love This Black Bean Mango Salsa

* **Flavor Explosion:** The combination of sweet mango, earthy black beans, zesty lime, and spicy jalapeño creates an unforgettable flavor profile.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal cooking and comes together in just minutes.
* **Healthy and Nutritious:** Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, this salsa is a guilt-free way to enjoy a delicious snack or side dish.
* **Versatile:** Serve it as a dip, topping, or side – the possibilities are endless!
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Perfect for parties, potlucks, and barbecues, this salsa is always a hit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the fresh ingredients you’ll need to create this amazing black bean mango salsa:

* **Mango:** 2 ripe but firm mangoes, peeled and diced. Look for mangoes that yield slightly to gentle pressure.
* **Black Beans:** 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained. Rinsing removes excess starch and sodium.
* **Red Onion:** ½ cup finely diced red onion. Red onion provides a sharp, pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients.
* **Red Bell Pepper:** ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper. Red bell pepper adds sweetness and a vibrant color.
* **Jalapeño:** 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (adjust to your spice preference). Remember to wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid skin irritation.
* **Cilantro:** ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro. Cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute with parsley.
* **Lime Juice:** ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice. Fresh lime juice is crucial for adding acidity and balancing the sweetness.
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil adds richness and helps to bind the ingredients together.
* **Cumin:** ½ teaspoon ground cumin. Cumin adds warmth and earthiness.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.

Equipment You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is that it requires minimal equipment.

* **Cutting Board:** For chopping the vegetables and mangoes.
* **Sharp Knife:** For dicing and mincing the ingredients.
* **Large Bowl:** To combine all the ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** To measure the ingredients accurately.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – making the salsa! Follow these simple steps for a perfect result:

**Step 1: Prepare the Mango**

* Peel the mangoes and carefully dice them into small, even pieces. Aim for a size that’s easy to scoop with chips or a spoon. Place the diced mango in the large bowl.

**Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables**

* Finely dice the red onion and red bell pepper. The finer the dice, the better the flavors will meld together. Add them to the bowl with the mango.
* Seed and mince the jalapeño. Remember to wear gloves when handling jalapeños. Add the minced jalapeño to the bowl. Start with one jalapeño and add more to taste if you prefer a spicier salsa.

**Step 3: Add the Black Beans and Cilantro**

* Rinse the black beans thoroughly under cold water and drain them well. Add the drained black beans to the bowl with the other ingredients.
* Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the bowl.

**Step 4: Dress the Salsa**

* In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
* Pour the dressing over the salsa in the large bowl.

**Step 5: Combine and Chill**

* Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
* Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This step is crucial for developing the best flavor.

**Step 6: Taste and Adjust**

* Before serving, taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more lime juice for extra tanginess, salt and pepper for flavor, or jalapeño for more heat.

Tips for the Best Black Bean Mango Salsa

* **Use Ripe Mangoes:** The key to a delicious mango salsa is using ripe mangoes that are sweet and juicy. Look for mangoes that yield slightly to gentle pressure.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Be gentle when mixing the ingredients together to avoid bruising the mangoes.
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a small amount of jalapeño and add more to taste. You can also remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño for a milder flavor.
* **Make it Ahead:** This salsa can be made a day or two in advance. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits in the refrigerator.
* **Add Other Ingredients:** Feel free to customize this recipe with other ingredients you enjoy, such as avocado, corn, or pineapple.

Variations and Additions

This black bean mango salsa is delicious as is, but feel free to experiment with different variations and additions to suit your taste.

* **Avocado:** Add diced avocado for a creamy and rich texture. Be sure to add the avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning.
* **Corn:** Add grilled or roasted corn kernels for a sweet and smoky flavor.
* **Pineapple:** Add diced pineapple for an extra burst of tropical sweetness.
* **Different Peppers:** Experiment with different types of peppers, such as serrano peppers or habanero peppers, for varying levels of heat.
* **Red Onion Substitute**: Scallions or sweet onions can be used instead.
* **Grilled Mango**: Grilling the mango will add a delicious smoky flavor to the salsa.
* **Add Shrimp or Chicken:** Diced cooked shrimp or grilled chicken can be added to make it a more substantial dish.

Serving Suggestions

This black bean mango salsa is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways.

* **Dip:** Serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, pita chips, or vegetable sticks.
* **Topping:** Top grilled chicken, fish, or pork with this salsa for a burst of fresh flavor.
* **Tacos:** Add it to your favorite tacos for a sweet and spicy kick.
* **Salads:** Use it as a topping for salads to add flavor and texture.
* **Burrito Bowls:** Incorporate it into burrito bowls for a healthy and delicious meal.
* **With Eggs:** Top scrambled eggs or omelets with black bean mango salsa.
* **As a Side Dish**: Serve as a side dish to grilled meats.

How to Store Black Bean Mango Salsa

Store leftover black bean mango salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld together as it sits, but the texture may soften slightly over time. It’s best enjoyed fresh for optimal flavor and texture. Because of the fresh ingredients it is best to make only what you’ll use in a few days.

Health Benefits of Black Bean Mango Salsa

This salsa isn’t just delicious; it’s also packed with health benefits!

* **Mangoes:** Rich in vitamins A and C, which are important for immune function and skin health.
* **Black Beans:** A good source of fiber and protein, which can help you feel full and satisfied.
* **Red Onion:** Contains antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage.
* **Red Bell Pepper:** High in vitamin C and antioxidants.
* **Jalapeño:** Contains capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and may help boost metabolism.
* **Cilantro:** Contains antioxidants and may help lower blood sugar levels.
* **Lime Juice:** A good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
* **Olive Oil:** A healthy source of monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health.

Black Bean Mango Salsa Recipe

**Yields:** Approximately 4 cups
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Chill time:** 30 minutes (recommended)

**Ingredients:**

* 2 ripe but firm mangoes, peeled and diced
* 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
* ½ cup finely diced red onion
* ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
* 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (adjust to taste)
* ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
* ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* ½ teaspoon ground cumin
* Salt and pepper to taste

**Instructions:**

1. Peel the mangoes and dice them into small, even pieces. Place the diced mango in a large bowl.
2. Finely dice the red onion and red bell pepper. Add them to the bowl with the mango.
3. Seed and mince the jalapeño. Add the minced jalapeño to the bowl.
4. Rinse the black beans and drain them well. Add the drained black beans to the bowl.
5. Chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the bowl.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
7. Pour the dressing over the salsa in the large bowl.
8. Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
9. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
10. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.

Enjoy this delicious and refreshing Black Bean Mango Salsa! It is sure to become a regular item at your table.