Ditch The Tartar Sauce — Fish Sandwiches Are Extra Flavorful With This Fruity Condiment

Thinking outside the box with fish sandwiches often means pairing them with a condiment that isn't tartar sauce. Every once in a while, your palate might call for something with more flavors, possibly better textures, and a whole lot of vibrancy, in which case, nothing beats mango salsa.

No matter the time of year, it always feels like summer when you've got a bowl of mango salsa on the table. Ripe mangoes bring about the intensely sweet taste that brightens anything the salsa touches, especially complementing the fish's natural sweetness. Earthy nuances arrive in tiny diced pieces of veggies, with sprigs of cilantro casting an aromatic spell all around. If desired, you can even include a subtle heat with slices of jalapeño peppers. The lime juice's vibrant zing ties it all together, and before you know it, your fish sandwich is adorned with beautiful flavor complexity.

The diverse texture is another reason why mango salsa is one of Tasting Table's favorite ways to dress a fish sandwich. Tiny mango cubes and their flavor-bursting softness melt gently onto the fish, a perfect contrast with its deep-fried crisp. The accompanying veggies are not to be underestimated, either. Find a bit of crunch in pieces of cucumbers and bell peppers, or perhaps delight in the tangy mush of tomatoes. And, if you've got some avocados in the mix, enjoy their creaminess sneaking up in every bite.

It's worth considering the types of fish that go best with mango salsa before assembling your sandwich. Salmon and its buttery tone become even more charming when meshed with the mango's bright sweetness. That said, in true fish sandwich fashion, mango salsa is always good with mild white fish such as cod, tilapia, and halibut. For more boldness, perhaps a savory depth that gets even better when it's juxtaposed with the salsa's vibrancy, mahi-mahi, tuna, or red snapper is worth a try. No need to stick only with fish, either. Mango salsa will spice up your crab cakes, so cook up a batch and have fun with your salsa crab sandwich.

Alternatively, you can play around with different ways to prepare the fish, going beyond the usual deep-fry. Blackened fish, for example, is how you bring spice-laden bites to the sandwich. Alternatively, grilled fish coated in hearty spices is a great way to switch up your sandwich routine. Still want a tangy sauce to complete it? Try whipping up a mayo-based concoction with mango juice, or lean into the salsa's aromatic edge with a blend of lime juice and fresh herbs. 

For something utterly crave-worthy, try searing filets of mahi-mahi tuna coated in toasted sesame seeds. Even with nothing else in the filling, the fish and mango salsa are enough to steal the show. You can even swap out the familiar buns for tortillas and enjoy a wrapped sandwich instead. Leaning into the salsa's freshness, sushi-style hand rolls can be the lighter take you've been looking for.