The beauty of this Spicy salad (with mango) recipe lies in its simplicity. Ready in 15 minutes, with just six ingredients, this sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy salad will be your new summer favorite.
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Mangoes are a prominent part of summer recipes for Pakistanis, Asians, and Mexicans. This spicy salad recipe is inspired by my love of mangoes and all three cuisines.
This is a favorite in my family, along with my watermelon chaat recipe, grilled peach salad, Thai chicken salad with mango, and pear salad with goat cheese and dates.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Diet-friendly - This grain-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan spicy salad is perfect for people with food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Easy Recipe - This recipe requires minimal ingredients and a short preparation time.
- The perfect side - This spicy salad (with mango) pairs with almost any entree. Try it with some homemade-deli-roast-beef sandwiches, sheet-pan-chicken-quesadillas, or grilled-tandoori-lamb-chops
- Colorful - I love serving this bright and vibrant salad when hosting a cookout, potluck, or other dinner.
Ingredient notes
- Mango - I like using ripe, juicy, sweet champagne mangoes for this recipe. If these are unavailable at your local store, use Ataulfo or Honey Mango.
- Red Onions- Due to their mild flavor, these are always my go-to ingredients for salads, salsas, or chutneys.
- Red Bell Pepper - This pairs perfectly with the mango and adds a pleasant crunch to the spicy salad.
- Basil Microgreens - I love using microgreens when I can. If you can't source these, use regular basil.
- Lime juice - The only dressing this salad needs; this adds flavor and prevents the mangoes from discoloring.
- Tajin - If you've never tried this Mexican version of chili lime salt, you're missing out. Perfect for mangoes, I love adding this to all my fruit. Readily available at most stores, Trader Joes' chili lime seasoning blend is a great substitute.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
- Make it spicier - Tajin is only mildly spicy. If you want to add more of a kick to this salad, add some jalapenos, serranos, or red pepper flakes.
- Add different herbs - Cilantro and mint taste good in this recipe. Use them in place of the basil.
- Add some cucumber - Use English or Persian cucumber to give the salad a refreshing taste and crunchy texture.
- Crunchy toppings - Add peanuts or cashews if you are not worried about nut allergies.
- Change the dressing - Add some infused olive oil or vinegar to add more depth.
- Bulk it up - Add avocados, beans, chickpeas, or any other favorite ingredient to make this salad heartier and more filling.
Step-by-step instructions
First step - Cut the red bell peppers in half, remove the white center and seeds, and cut them into thin strips. Next, add thinly sliced onion.
Second step - Peel the mangoes and cut the flesh around the seed, removing and discarding the pit. Cut the flesh into long strips, add it to the other ingredients, and sprinkle with the Tajin.
Third step - Add the basil microgreens and mix well.
Fourth step - The lemon juice is added before the salad is served.
Expert Tips
- Choosing the right mangoes - Picking a juicy mango is essential to this salad. Press the fruit slightly with your thumb and forefinger; the mango will be ripe if you can press without resistance.
- Cutting the mangoes - There are many ways to cut a mango. For this recipe, peel it first using a paring knife. Then, slice into the flesh, cutting it into four large pieces, and removing the pit. Slice into thin, long pieces and add to the salad.
Recipe FAQS
This salad is easy to make ahead of time. Cut everything and add lime juice to help prevent the mango from discoloring. Store this in a container with an airtight lid and add in the herbs and tajin before serving.
Unfortunately, these will not work. You need to source fresh, ripe mangoes and cut them lengthwise for this salad.
Store any leftover salad in a container with an airtight lid for up to two days.
Other mango recipes you may like
If you decide to try this recipe, Please don't forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture, tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
Spicy Salad With Mango
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Ingredients
- 4 mangoes
- 1 red bell pepper
- ½ purple onion
- 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon tajin
- 2 tablespoon basil microgreens (see notes)
Instructions
- Cut the mango, onion, and bell pepper into thin strips.
- Add the lime juice and sprinkle the tajin.
- Toss well, top with the micro greens and serve.
Lubna Samad
Oh my god made this today! Loved it!!!! Perfect for summer! Thanks Nosheen!
untoldrecipesbynosheen
So glad you liked it Lubna!Thank You for the feed back!
Saima Kamal
Delicious and super easy to put together. Perfect side for our July 4th barbecue. I didn’t have micro greens, so I used fresh cilantro instead.
untoldrecipesbynosheen
Glad you liked it and cilantro sounds like a great substitute! Will have to try it myself next time!