A vibrant bowl of fresh strawberry mango pico with cilantro and lime, ready to serve as a refreshing dip.

strawberry mango pico

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Get ready to elevate your snack game with a vibrant, refreshing twist on classic salsa. This strawberry mango pico is an explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that will have everyone reaching for more. It’s the perfect dip for a sunny afternoon or a colorful topping for your favorite dishes.

This recipe ditches the tomatoes for juicy strawberries and sweet mango, creating a fruit pico de gallo that’s unbelievably delicious and easy to make. In just 15 minutes, you can have a bowl of this beautiful salsa ready to go.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Incredibly Fast: You only need 15 minutes to chop and mix your way to this delicious salsa.
  • Bursting with Flavor: It perfectly balances sweet fruit, spicy jalapeño, zesty lime, and savory onion.
  • So Versatile: Serve it with chips, on top of grilled chicken or fish, or even in tacos for a fresh kick.
  • Naturally Healthy: This pico is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, making it a light and guilt-free treat.
  • Visually Stunning: The bright colors of the strawberries, mango, and cilantro make it a beautiful addition to any table.

Ingredients

Here are the simple, fresh ingredients you’ll need to make this vibrant strawberry mango pico de gallo.

  • 1 cup (about 150 g) fresh strawberries, diced
  • 1 cup (about 165 g) ripe mango, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup (about 40 g) red onion, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons (about 8 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 large lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoons or 30 ml)
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt, or to taste

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

  • Mango: Use a ripe mango for the best sweet flavor. A ripe mango will be slightly soft to the touch and have a fruity aroma at the stem. Ataulfo or Honey mangoes are great choices.
  • Strawberries: Find the reddest, juiciest strawberries you can. The flavor of the berries is a star in this fruit salsa.
  • Jalapeño: The heat comes from the seeds and white membranes. For a milder pico, make sure to remove them completely. For more spice, leave a few seeds in.
  • Red Onion: Its milder, slightly sweet flavor works best here, but a sweet onion or even shallots would also work in a pinch.
  • Lime Juice: Always use fresh lime juice! The bottled kind just doesn’t have the same bright, zesty flavor.

Equipment

  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Citrus juicer or fork

How to Make

This fresh fruit salsa comes together in just a few simple steps.

Step 1: Prepare all your ingredients. Carefully dice the strawberries, mango, and red onion. Finely mince the seeded jalapeño and chop the cilantro.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the diced strawberries, mango, red onion, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro.

Step 3: Drizzle the fresh lime juice over the mixture. Sprinkle in the chili powder and salt.

Step 4: Gently stir everything together until well combined. Taste and add more salt or lime juice if needed. Serve immediately or let it sit for about 15 minutes for the flavors to meld.

Pro Tips

  • Uniform Dicing: For the best texture and flavor in every bite, try to dice the mango, strawberries, and onion to a similar small size.
  • Let It Mingle: While you can serve it right away, letting the pico rest for 10–15 minutes at room temperature allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
  • Don’t Overmix: Stir gently to combine the ingredients without mashing the delicate fruit.
  • Strain if Needed: If your salsa seems extra juicy, you can use a slotted spoon to serve it, leaving some of the liquid behind.

Serving Suggestions

This strawberry mango pico is amazing with classic tortilla chips. But don’t stop there! Try serving it over grilled chicken or fish, spoon it into fish tacos, or pair it with seared scallops. It’s also a fantastic topping for a simple garden salad to add a punch of flavor.

Storage & Reheating

This salsa is best enjoyed the day it’s made for the freshest flavor and texture.

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Be aware that the strawberries will soften and release more liquid over time. This salsa is served chilled or at room temperature and does not require reheating.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Add More Fruit: Feel free to add diced pineapple, peaches, or kiwi for a more tropical twist.
  • Adjust the Spice: If you love heat, use a serrano pepper instead of a jalapeño. For zero heat, substitute with 1/4 cup of diced red bell pepper for color and crunch.
  • Try Different Herbs: Not a cilantro fan? Fresh mint would be a delicious and refreshing alternative.
  • Frozen Fruit: In a pinch, you can use frozen mango and strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before dicing and mixing.

Nutrition Information

This is a wonderfully light and healthy recipe, perfect for guilt-free snacking. Each serving is low in calories and packed with vitamins from the fresh fruit. It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, making it a great option for various dietary needs. A typical serving contains around 32 calories, with natural sugars from the fruit and a good dose of fiber.

FAQ

Can I make strawberry mango pico ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it a few hours in advance. If making it more than 2-3 hours ahead, it’s best to chop the fruits and veggies but store them separately from the lime juice and salt. Combine everything just before serving to prevent it from becoming watery.

How do I easily dice a mango?

Slice the mango vertically on either side of the large, flat pit. Score the flesh of each half in a grid pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin. Then, gently push the skin from underneath to pop the flesh out and slice off the cubes.

Is this salsa very spicy?

The spice level is easily controlled. By removing all seeds and membranes from the jalapeño, you get the pepper’s flavor with just a mild kick. For less spice, use only half a jalapeño.

Can I use a different type of onion?

Absolutely. While red onion provides a nice color and mild flavor, a sweet Vidalia onion or even shallots would be a great substitute.

Conclusion

This strawberry mango pico is a surefire winner for any occasion. It’s simple, fresh, and bursting with the best flavors of summer. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite salsa

Recipe Card

A vibrant bowl of fresh strawberry mango pico with cilantro and lime, ready to serve as a refreshing dip.

strawberry mango pico

Get ready to elevate your snack game with this vibrant, refreshing twist on classic salsa. An explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, this fruit pico is perfect as a dip or a colorful topping, ready in just 15 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 32

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup diced strawberries
  • 1 cup diced mango
  • 1 jalapeño (seeded and finely diced)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • Juice of a lime
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt to taste

Equipment

  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Citrus juicer or fork

Method
 

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir together. Taste for seasoning and serve.

Notes

For best flavor, let pico rest 10-15 minutes after mixing. Stir gently to avoid mashing fruit. Best enjoyed fresh; store leftovers chilled up to 2 days. Always use fresh lime juice. For mild spice, remove jalapeño seeds.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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