If you are craving something fresh, vibrant, and packed with exciting flavors, this Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe is going to be your new go-to. Combining juicy ripe mangoes, crisp vegetables, and zesty citrus notes, this salad balances sweetness, tang, and spice beautifully. It’s effortless to whip up yet impressively colorful and refreshing, making it perfect for a light lunch, a picnic treat, or a stunning side dish at dinner. Once you try this Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When it comes to this Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe, the ingredients are wonderfully straightforward yet thoughtfully chosen. Each one adds its own burst of flavor, texture, or color, transforming simple produce into a salad you’ll look forward to eating every time.
- Romaine Lettuce (4 cups, chopped): Provides a crisp, refreshing base that holds up well to the dressing and juicy mango.
- Mangoes (2 large, peeled and diced): The star ingredient offering natural sweetness and vibrant color to brighten the salad.
- Red Onion (½ cup, thinly sliced): Adds a mild pungency and crunch that balances the sweet mango.
- English Cucumber (½, diced): Brings a cool, watery crunch that complements both the fruit and the greens.
- Red Bell Pepper (1, thinly sliced): Injects a sweet, peppery flavor with brilliant color.
- Cilantro (¼ cup, chopped): Infuses the salad with herbaceous freshness and a slightly citrusy aroma.
- Olive Oil (4 tablespoons): The rich, smooth base of the dressing that helps marry all flavors.
- Lime Juice (3 tablespoons): Adds a bright, tangy zing that lifts the salad’s overall profile.
- Red Grape Vinegar (1 tablespoon): Provides a subtle fruity acidity, but red wine vinegar works just as well.
- Maple Syrup (½ tablespoon): A gentle natural sweetener to balance the tartness of lime and vinegar.
- Lime Zest (1 teaspoon): Concentrates lime’s fragrance, boosting the citrus punch.
- Fresh Dill (2 teaspoons, finely chopped): Offers a delicate, herbaceous note that pairs beautifully with cilantro.
- Red Pepper Flakes (¾ teaspoon): Provides a subtle kick of heat that livens the salad.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances every ingredient’s flavor and brings harmony to the dish.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds just enough spice to round out the taste.
How to Make Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
The secret to this vibrant Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe lies in its dressing. Whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, red grape vinegar, maple syrup, lime zest, finely chopped dill, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and intensify, setting a wonderful flavor foundation for the salad.
Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss chopped romaine lettuce, juicy diced mangoes, thinly sliced red onions, diced cucumber, slender strips of red bell pepper, and chopped cilantro together. Each ingredient brings its distinctive taste and texture to the bowl, creating an exciting mix that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Step 3: Toss with Dressing and Serve
Just before serving, pour the prepared dressing over the colorful salad mixture. Gently toss everything together, ensuring every bite is coated with that bright, zesty dressing. This final step brings the entire Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe to life with an irresistible balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors.
How to Serve Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe even further, consider adding some toasted pumpkin seeds or sliced almonds on top for a delightful crunch. A sprinkle of extra fresh cilantro leaves or a few thin lime wedges for an extra citrus burst also makes a lovely finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fresh seafood, or light rice dishes. Its bright flavors act as a refreshing contrast, making it an ideal accompaniment for BBQs and summer meals, or as a vibrant starter for a multi-course dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or casual gathering, serve the Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe layered in clear glass jars or mason jars. You can also scoop it into butter lettuce cups for bite-sized, handheld portions that look gorgeous and taste amazing. Another fun idea is to serve it atop crispy tostadas for a crunchy, fresh treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This helps keep the lettuce crisp and prevents the salad from becoming soggy.
Freezing
This Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well due to its fresh produce components. Freezing will compromise the texture and flavor, especially of the mango and greens.
Reheating
Since this salad is served cold and fresh, reheating is not recommended. Instead, if you want to enjoy it later, keep it chilled and toss with fresh dressing just before serving.
FAQs
Can I use other types of lettuce for this salad?
Absolutely! While romaine provides a satisfying crunch, you can substitute with butter lettuce, arugula, or even baby spinach depending on your preference. Each will give slightly different texture and flavor but works well with the dressing and fruit.
How do I know when mangoes are ripe enough for this salad?
Look for mangoes that give slightly when gently squeezed and have a rich, fruity aroma near the stem. Their skin color varies by variety, but softness and fragrance are the best indicators of ripeness for a sweet and juicy salad addition.
Can I make the dressing in advance?
Yes! The dressing can be mixed and refrigerated for up to 2 days ahead. Just give it a good whisk before drizzling over the salad to recombine any separated ingredients.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegan and allergy-friendly?
This recipe is naturally vegan and free from common allergens like dairy and nuts. If you want a nutty crunch, you can sprinkle seeds rather than nuts for an allergy-friendly topping.
What if I don’t have fresh dill on hand?
If fresh dill isn’t available, you can substitute with fresh parsley for a different herbal note or use dried dill, but reduce the quantity as dried herbs are more potent. The salad remains delicious with these tweaks.
Final Thoughts
This Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe is a delightful celebration of fresh, juicy fruit and crisp veggies mingled with lively herbs and a zesty dressing. It’s simple yet bursting with flavor and color, perfect for enjoying any time you want a refreshing, healthy, and flavorful dish. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again to brighten your meals and surprise your taste buds.
Print
Mango Salad with Lime and Cilantro Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant and refreshing Mango Salad is a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Featuring fresh romaine lettuce, juicy mangoes, crisp vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing, it makes a light and healthy dish ideal for warm days or as a colorful side salad.
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups Romaine Lettuce (chopped)
- 2 large Mangoes (peeled and diced)
- ½ cup Red Onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ English Cucumber (diced)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup Cilantro (chopped)
Dressing
- 4 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoons Lime Juice
- 1 tablespoon Red Grape Vinegar (or Red Wine Vinegar)
- ½ tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Lime Zest
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Dill (finely chopped)
- ¾ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, red grape vinegar, maple syrup, lime zest, fresh dill, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the dressing rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, diced mangoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Toss with dressing and serve: Just before serving, pour the rested dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently until everything is well coated and serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level to your preference.
- Use fresh lime juice and zest for the best citrus flavor.
- The salad is best served fresh to enjoy the crispness of the lettuce and vegetables.
- Can be prepared ahead by chopping vegetables and making dressing separately, then mixing at serving time.
- Substitute red grape vinegar with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if unavailable.
