This mango salad recipe is anything but boring! It’s loaded with lots of fresh veggies, plus a dose of juicy fruit for sweetness. If you never tried healthy salads with mango (or salads with quinoa like Mediterranean quinoa salad), this is a delicious way to do it.
What Is Mango Salad?
Although there are many ways to make this side dish, mango salad usually includes ingredients that highlight the sweetness in mango with fresh crunchy vegetables, leafy greens, fresh herbs, and a simple dressing. They can also include other additions, such as cooked grains or avocado. Like mango salsa, it’s the perfect easy dish for mango lovers!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cucumber mango salad, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Quinoa – I used tricolor quinoa, but any variety will work.Mixed Greens – You can use the pre-made varieties from the grocery store, or any mix of baby spinach, arugula, lettuce, kale, or watercress.Cucumber – I like the flavor of English cucumber, but use any kind you prefer.Mangos – Avoid an overly green mango. We’re looking for ripe mangoes that still have a bit of firmness. Dice them into cubes.Cherry Tomatoes – Cut them in half or into quarters. You can also use grape tomatoes the same way, or seed and dice larger tomatoes instead.Pomegranate Arils – These are the edible seeds of the pomegranate. You can get them yourself from a fresh fruit, or get the arils already separated for convenience.Onion – The flavor of red onion tastes great in this salad with mango recipe, but any small onion will do. Slice it thinly for the best texture.Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Since the salad already has so many flavors, I didn’t use a separate mango salad dressing and simply used olive oil instead. Any neutral flavored oil you prefer on salads will work here. If you prefer a dressing with more flavor, see the Variations section below.Salt & Pepper
How To Make Mango Salad
This section shows how to make salad with mango, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Try different fruits – No mango? Try fruits such as peach, cantaloupe, papaya, grapefruit, or orange.Add other veggies – Red bell peppers or avocado would make great additions.Swap the quinoa – Cooked black rice, bulgur, buckwheat, or even black beans would make good substitutes for quinoa in this recipe. You can also simply omit it.Make a more robust dressing – Add mustard, vinegar, honey (regular or a honey substitute), tahini, lime juice, fresh cilantro, red pepper flakes, or sugar-free maple syrup to the olive oil for a more flavorful mango salad dressing.Try some crunch – Sprinkle with roasted peanuts, sliced almonds, or sunflower seeds.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Meal prep: Cook quinoa, cool completely, and refrigerate. Prepare all vegetables and fruit, storing separately. Assemble when ready to serve.
What To Serve With Mango Salad
Mango salad recipes pair perfectly with a simple protein! Try these ideas:
More Fresh Salad Recipes
If you like salads with fruit or tropical flair, you’ll enjoy these easy ideas! Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
