There's no need to buy seasoning packets when you can make your own homemade fajita seasoning mix! Use the following recipe to make these Sweet & Spicy Mango Fajitas.
Love Affair with Mangoes
Champagne mangoes are heeeere! I knew they'd be in season again soon, so I've been stalking Whole Foods waiting for the glorious day when there's a huge crate of them front and center in the produce section. Every week, I've been disappointed. And last week, I was prepared to be disappointed again when I didn't see that big huge crate, but I managed to find the champagne mangoes in a small crate at the back of the produce section.
Then I did a little dance. And for once it wasn't because of the peppy instrumental version of "Big Country" playing over the PA system. No, it was because I finally had my precious champagne mangoes and I could make my Sweet & Spicy Mango Fajitas.
I keep a huge running list of recipe ideas on my computer and mango fajitas has been on there for at least a year now. Oh sure, I could have made them with regular mangoes, but I wanted to wait for the champagne mangoes because: a) they're cheaper than regular mangoes when they're in season, b) they're tastier than regular mangoes, and c) I have never bought a bad champagne mango, but it seems like every other regular mango I buy is brown in the middle.
Make Your Own Seasoning
In addition to the mangoes, I added red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and jalapeño for a little kick; I seasoned them with a homemade fajita seasoning mix I've been using for about a year now. Although those pre-made seasoning packets are handy, they're also expensive for what you're getting and full of unnecessary ingredients like corn syrup, corn starch (I don't think this is needed when you're making veggie fajitas, so I leave it out), and artificial colors. I'm including my fajita seasoning recipe here; it makes more than you'll need for these fajitas, but you can put it in a bag or container and keep it for several months—it's good for any veggie fajita recipe, not just this one!
I had really high expectations for this recipe. Sometimes I'm not sure how a dish will turn out, but I just knew this one would be delicious. Because: mangoes! Luckily, it did not disappoint. And then I did another little dance: the tasty fajita dance.*
*Which is basically the robot because that's the only dance I know how to do.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fajita seasoning mix
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper seeded and cut into strips
- 1 zucchini halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and diced
- 2 mangoes peeled and cubed (use champagne mangoes if you can find them)
- about 8 medium tortillas warmed
- coarsely chopped cilantro lime wedges, crumbled queso fresco and salsa for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Add fajita seasoning and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add onion and cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add red pepper, zucchini, and jalapeño; cook about 5 minutes more, or until veggies are just starting to brown. Stir in mangoes.
- Serve on tortillas with cilantro, lime wedges, queso fresco and salsa.
Nutrition
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp white sugar (organic for vegan-friendly)
- 2 ½ tsp crushed vegetable bouillon cube
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in small bowl. Store in zip-top bag, jar, or resealable container.
LO says
These look amazing!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Oooh, this look yummy! I saw champagne mangoes for $1 a piece at the Kona Farmers Market last year and almost bought some but didn't. What's the difference in taste? Are they sweeter?
Kiersten says
Yes! They are sweeter, more tender, and they don't have that stringy-ness that you sometimes get with regular mangoes. They are superior in every way!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I love making my own seasoning mixes. I can't wait to try this one. And mango in fajitas - totally brilliant!
Caitlin says
how is it that i've never had a champagne mango before? they look and sound amazing! i LOVE mangos in everything. i cannot wait to make this with your homemade spice mix and then do a little dance myself, which basically consists of me jumping up and down and shaking my booty.
Kiersten says
Okay, you need to be on the lookout then because they'll be popping up everywhere very soon. 🙂 And I am glad I am not the only one who dances because of delicious food!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
It just looks so incredible and I'm mad that we don't have a Whole Foods here!
McKel | Nutrition Stripped says
Kiersten, I love that you've made your own fajita seasoning. I'm always trying to perfect that seasoning and now I'm definitely giving yours a try! Filler and preservative free, that's the way to go 😉
Happy Monday!
Maryann says
We just had fajitas this weekend ourselves.
Meghan @JaMonkey says
I love Mango but I've never cooked with it. I think I'll try it this week.
Kristina says
oh, the instrumental Big Country... playing faintly in the background...
I know this disappointment of anticipating something each time you grocery shop... and then when you finally find it?? OOOH YEAH.
I love the sound of these fajitas - mango and spice just go together so well...
Kiersten says
Sometimes you just overhear that all-sax version of "The Rhythm is Gonna Get You" and you just have no choice but to BREAK. IT. DOWN. Right there in front of the frozen corn. It's okay though because corn doesn't judge.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
Yay for mango season! I can't wait to try champagne ones this year. And homemade taco seasoning is genius! I love it but hate buying it b/c I know it has so much sodium.
Kiersten says
This version still has salt in it, but you can cut it down. 🙂
Katherine says
I am salivating right now. Poor lunchtime salad -- you do not stack up to this!
Ashley says
I love putting mangoes in tacos or fajitas! Although I've never tried a champagne mango - I feel like I need to correct this soon! These look delicious - and so much better than what I'm about to eat for lunch : )
Kiersten says
They are so good! Unfortunately, you can't find them year-round, but this is the time of year when they start popping up all over the place. 🙂
Meadowlark says
I've been eating champagne mangos with smoked salmon in brown rice sushi rolls. OMG delicious! Will have to try these fajitas soon. Thanks for sharing.
Cat Davis | Food Family & Finds says
Oh I like that you make your own fajita seasoning. I'll definitely need to try that, I'm pretty sure I already have the ingredients.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
This is amazing! I just started to see mangos again at farmers markets and I can't wait to start using them. I love them n savory dishes, this is perfect!
EA-The Spicy RD says
Love your fajita seasoning mix-definitely want to try it! I just got back from a multi-family ski trip where all our kids devoured champagne mangos every morning 🙂
Natalie says
Great flavors in this!! Mango is my absolute favorite fruit, so delicious cooked or raw !
a farmer in the dell says
I'm doing a little dance right now too! These sound amazing!!!
Lysa says
Wow! this looks SO delicious! I love mangoes...The fajitas seasoning mix is amazing, I am trying it soon.
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
Kiersten these unique fajitas look out of this world! I have to try it as soon as mangos start arriving at my store. Thanks for sharing:)
Genevieve says
I love that you added mangoes to fajitas - these sound amazing! This would be such a good idea for serving at a family summertime get-together...it makes me wish I could be eating outside again already! I just bought one of those mangoes yesterday too, but they were called Ataulfo...I guess they go by a different name in the US? Either way, I agree with every point you made about them - you can always get a nice ripe one that isn't rotten!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I've seen them called Ataulfo or Alphonso mangoes too, but usually they're labeled as champagne mangoes at the store here. Maybe because it sounds classier? 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Mango is one of my fave things ever and I use it whenever possible. Love it here!
Courtney @ The Fig Tree says
Cannot wait to make some of this seasoning! I make fajitas frequently. It will be nice to have a proper homemade seasoning mix to use! And I agree with you - these would make me want to break out into dance too. I snorted out loud at your robot comment. LOL 🙂
Kiersten says
These are definitely dance-worthy. Robot or otherwise. 🙂
Vegan Woman says
Way to hunt down those Champagne Mangos! Love the spice mix.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I LOVE fajitas, and your idea to add the sweetness of mango sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing :).