Black Bean Mango Salsa

 

Black bean mango salsa is packed with flavor, color and healthy ingredients. A great sweet and savory condiment with burgers, fish, pork or chicken, or vegetarian dishes. Of course, you can also serve it with tortilla chips or pita chips. Its super easy, and the variations can go in any direction.

Black Bean Mango Salsa

Ingredients

2 large mangos, cut in small cubes
1 14-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large red pepper, chopped
1 bunch (~5) green onions, sliced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Juice from 1/2 lime
1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 – 1 tsp fruity habanero hot sauce
Salt to taste

Directions

• Add all ingredients in a large bowl and gently combine.
• Let set for about 20 minutes in fridge to let the flavors blend.

Variations

• This recipe can go spicy, sweet, sour, asian, hawaiian, indian, mediterranean or caribbean with just a few small tweaks.
• Spice it up with fresh ginger, cinnamon or nutmeg.
• Try some different fruits, like peaches, apricots, papaya, persimmons, guava or passion fruit.
• Fruity heat works great for this salsa. Experiment with different hot sauces, add fresh jalapeño, habaneros, serranos or thai chiles; or add some smokey heat with chipotle.
• In place of honey you can use regular sugar, brown sugar, agave nectar, or fruit preserves. Perhaps add a little fruity schnapps.
• Replace the beans with black eyes peas, kidney beans, chick peas, cannelloni beans, or green peas.
• Make it a side dish by adding some grains – quinoa, couscous, barley, bulgar, or rice would turn this into a fantastic cold salad or warmed side dish.
• Throw in some chopped SPAM, ahi tuna, chopped pork tenderloin, chicken, tofu, or seafood.
• Throw it in salads, or just keep it around for some healthy snacking.

A great accompaniment for any cookout, this salsa has tons of potential and is a standard summer favorite in our house.   Enjoy!

The best surprises come from happy accidents.