Ready in 20 minutes, enjoy a refreshing Mango Salad with sweet mangoes, vibrant bell peppers, sharp onions, and a zesty lime dressing – a perfect, quick, and flavorful meal or side.
Mango salad, oh what a delight! Ripe, sweet mangoes that taste like sunshine, crisp bell peppers adding a satisfying crunch, and sharp onions that bring a little zing. And let’s not forget the tangy lime dressing that ties everything together with a citrusy hug. This salad is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and sour, making it a refreshing change from your everyday greens.
Need a quick, healthy lunch? Mango salad. Want to impress at a potluck? You guessed it, mango salad. It’s that dish that looks like you’ve put in hours of effort, but in reality, it’s pretty simple to whip up. And the best part? It’s as healthy as it is delicious.
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Salad
- Mango salad’s sweet and juicy mangoes offer a delightful taste and fresh flavors of the tropics, brightening any meal with its exotic flavor.
- The combination of fresh ingredients provides a light and refreshing taste.
- It’s simple and quick to make.
- It is dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan, this salad fits into many dietary preferences and restrictions.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ripe Mangoes: They have a sweet and tropical flavor with a soft, juicy texture.
- Red Bell Pepper: These peppers add a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a crisp and crunchy texture. They introduce a refreshing crunch that contrasts with the softness of the mangoes.
- Red Onion: With their sharp, slightly spicy taste and crisp texture, red onions add depth and a bit of bite. It also balances the sweetness of the mangoes and bell peppers.
- Basil: Basil leaves contribute a sweet, herbal flavor with a fresh, slightly peppery taste. It also adds a fragrant aroma to the salad.
- Fresh Cilantro: Cilantro offers a bright, lemony, slightly tangy flavor with a refreshing crispness. It brings a burst of fresh, herbaceous notes.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Cashews: Substitute peanuts with roasted cashews for a different nutty texture.
- Add Cucumber: Mix in thinly sliced English cucumber for extra freshness and crispness.
- Add Red Pepper Flakes: For a hint of heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the salad. It will add a subtle spicy kick to complement the sweetness of the mangoes.
- Add Mint: Add fresh herbs like mint for a cool, refreshing twist on your mango salad.
How To Make Mango Salad
Step #1: For the salad, combine all the salad ingredients, except for the optional peanuts, in a large bowl and toss to combine.
Step #2: To prepare the mango salad dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk them together.
Step #3: When ready to serve, drizzle the salad dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Step #4: Optionally, garnish with roasted peanuts.
Expert Tips
- Choose Ripe Mangoes: Select mangoes that are ripe and sweet. They should be slightly soft to the touch.
- Preparing the Mangoes: Use a vegetable peeler or this handy mango tool to peel the mangoes easily. It’s a handy tool that can help you remove the skin smoothly and efficiently without losing much of the fruit’s flesh. Thinly slice the mangoes for a delicate texture and even distribution of flavors.
- Toast Peanuts: If using peanuts, toast them slightly for enhanced flavor and extra crunch.
- Gentle Tossing: Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the mangoes and herbs.
- Dressing Consistency: Ensure your dressing is neither too thick nor too watery; it should coat the ingredients lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It’s best to use ripe mangoes for their sweetness and softer texture. Unripe mangoes can be too tart and firm for this salad, affecting the overall flavor balance and texture.
Definitely! You can add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
Yes, it’s a great choice for potlucks. It’s easy to make in large quantities and generally a crowd-pleaser.
Yes, just keep the dressing and salad separate, cover them both and put them in your refrigerator. When it is time to serve the salad, combine the dressing and salad and optionally garnish with the roasted peanuts.
Storage Info
Store Mango Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days for optimal freshness. It’s not recommended to freeze this salad, as the texture of fresh mangoes and herbs will deteriorate upon thawing. If refrigerated, simply take it out of the fridge a bit before serving to allow it to return to room temperature.
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Mango Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Salad
- 3 ripe mangoes - peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced thin
- 1/4 red onion sliced thin
- 1/4 cup fresh basil sliced thin
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts - optional
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup lime juice - about 2 limes
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- For the salad, combine all the salad ingredients, except for the optional peanuts, in a large bowl and toss to combine.
- To prepare the mango salad dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk them together.
- When ready to serve, drizzle the salad dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Optionally, garnish with roasted peanuts.
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Great recipe! It was thicker than I had hoped (but that was probably my fault) overall, amazing flavor and it tasted just like the ones I had as a child.