Street Cart Salsa
on Sep 11, 2025
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Dive into this vibrant street cart fruit salsa! Made with sweet mango, watermelon, and pineapple, plus a zesty kick from lime, Tajín, and jalapeño. The perfect summer snack or taco topping!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
Imagine walking down a bustling street on a warm day. The air is filled with the sounds of chatter and the scents of delicious food. Suddenly, you catch a whiff of something tangy, sweet, and just a little spicy. That’s the unmistakable aroma of Mexican fruit and vegetable cups, often served with a generous spoonful of a special street cart salsa. This isn’t your average tomato-based salsa; it’s a vibrant, juicy, and incredibly refreshing blend of tropical fruits and crisp vegetables.
This salsa is a celebration of texture and flavor. The sweet juiciness of the mango and watermelon, the satisfying crunch of the jicama, and the tangy kick of the lime and chili powder all come together in a perfect harmony. Whether you’re topping grilled fish tacos, scooping it up with tortilla chips, or just eating it by the spoonful, this fruit salsa recipe is a surefire way to brighten up any meal.
Ingredient Information
- Mango– best way to cut a mango is by slicing down each side of the flat, central pit to create two “cheeks”. Then, score the flesh of each cheek in a grid pattern, but not through the skin, before using a large spoon to scoop out the cubed flesh or pushing the inverted skin outward to release the cubes.
- Watermelon
- Jicama– is rich in fiber and vitamin C, offering benefits such as improved digestion and antioxidant protection.
- Pineapple
- Cucumber– you can keep the rind on or off
- Limes– be sure and roll your limes on the counter to get all the juices flowing before squeezing
- Cilantro–
- Jalapeños– you can use any spice level of jalapeños or leave it out if you don’t love the kick
- Tajin– a popular chili-lime seasoning, is the secret weapon here. It delivers a salty, tangy, and slightly spicy punch that makes this salsa so addictive. A little extra salt brings all the flavors to life.
- Salt
Pro Tip
- Tajín Alternative: If you can’t find Tajín, you can create a similar flavor with a mix of chili powder, a little bit of paprika (for color), a pinch of cayenne, and a little bit of citric acid powder or even just a little more salt and lime juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different fruits?
- Feel free to substitute or add other street cart fruits like cantaloupe, papaya, or even a handful of berries for color.
Football Dips and Touchdowns
Street Cart Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced ripe mango
- 1 cup diced watermelon
- 1 cup diced jicama
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- 1 cup diced cucumber, optional, for a cooler, fresher taste
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1-2 jalapeños, finely minced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 1 tablespoon Tajín, or a similar chili-lime powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Fruit:
- Dice all the fruits and vegetables into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch). A smaller dice is great for a finer salsa, while a larger dice works well for a chunkier, more textural salsa.
- Combine the diced mango, watermelon, jicama, pineapple, and cucumber (if using) in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, finely minced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, Tajín seasoning, and salt.
- Taste the dressing and adjust as needed. You can add more lime for tang, more Tajín for chili-lime flavor, or more jalapeño for heat.
Combine and Chill:
- Pour the dressing over the fruit mixture.
- Gently toss everything together until the fruit is evenly coated.
- For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the salsa for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
- With Chips: Serve with tortilla chips, plantain chips, or even cinnamon sugar chips for a sweet and savory experience.
- As a Topping: This salsa is amazing on grilled chicken, fish, or pork. It can also be a unique topping for tacos or a side for a burrito bowl.
- As a Side: Serve it as a refreshing side dish at your next barbecue or summer gathering.
- Creative Street Cart Spin: For an extra touch of authenticity, serve the salsa in small clear plastic cups with a spoon, just like a real fruit cart. You can also garnish it with a sprinkle of extra Tajín or a sprig of cilantro.
Recipe Notes and Variations:
- Fruit Choices: Feel free to substitute or add other street cart fruits like cantaloupe, papaya, or even a handful of berries for color.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeño to your preference. For a milder salsa, remove the seeds and veins entirely. For a spicier one, leave them in. You can also use serrano peppers for more heat.
- Sweetness: If your fruit isn’t very ripe, you can add a tiny drizzle of agave nectar or a pinch of sugar to the dressing to balance the acidity and spice.
- Tajín Alternative: If you can’t find Tajín, you can create a similar flavor with a mix of chili powder, a little bit of paprika (for color), a pinch of cayenne, and a little bit of citric acid powder or even just a little more salt and lime juice.
