If you’re craving a burst of tropical freshness with a lively twist, the Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe is exactly what you need on your table. This vibrant salad combines luscious ripe mangoes and creamy avocado with a zesty, sweet, and mildly spicy dressing that dances on your taste buds. It’s an easy yet impressive dish that brings brightness, crunch, and a touch of exotic flair to any meal or gathering, perfect for warm days or whenever you want to elevate your salad game.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the right ingredients for this Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe is a breeze, and each one plays an essential role in building its layers of flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy avocado to the punchy dressing, every element shines.
- Sweet chilli sauce: Adds a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle heat that forms the dressing’s base.
- Limes: Their fresh juice brings tang and bright acidity to brighten every bite.
- Olive oil: Creates a smooth texture and helps meld the dressing’s flavors seamlessly.
- Honey or maple syrup: A natural sweetener that softens the chili’s spice and adds depth.
- Freshly grated ginger: Injects a warm, zesty kick to awaken the palate.
- Sea salt flakes: Enhances all flavors without overpowering.
- Cracked black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
- Ripe mangoes: The star ingredient delivering juicy sweetness and vibrant orange color.
- Avocado: Provides creamy richness and a buttery texture to balance the fruitiness.
- Red onion: Sharp and slightly sweet, lending a little bite and crunch.
- Cucumber: Cool and crisp, bringing refreshing contrast and crunch.
- Coriander (cilantro) leaves: Fragrant herb that brightens and freshens the salad.
- Crushed peanuts: Adds irresistible crunch and a nutty note for texture contrast.
How to Make Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Start by whisking together sweet chilli sauce, fresh lime juice, olive oil, and honey or maple syrup in a small bowl. Then, grate fresh ginger and stir it into the mix, seasoning with sea salt flakes and cracked black pepper. This dressing is the heart of the salad, layering sweet, tangy, and spicy notes harmoniously — set it aside and let all those flavors mingle while you prepare the salad.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients
Peel and dice the ripe mangoes and creamy avocado into generous bite-sized chunks. Slice the cucumber lengthwise before cutting into thin slices for that perfect crispiness, and finely slice half a small red onion for just the right sharpness. Roughly chop fresh coriander leaves to sprinkle throughout. These fresh, colorful ingredients bring vibrancy and a gorgeous texture contrast to the dish.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a shallow serving bowl, arrange the salad ingredients in layers: mango first, followed by cucumber, avocado, red onion, and finish with coriander. This layering isn’t just for looks — it ensures every forkful has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Drizzle your prepared sweet chilli lime dressing evenly over the layered salad. Scatter crushed peanuts on top for a crunchy finish. Just before serving, gently toss the salad so every delightful piece is coated in the dressing while keeping its colorful charm intact.
How to Serve Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
For a final flourish, add some extra coriander leaves or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. For a touch of heat, a few finely sliced fresh red chili rings can be added. These garnishes not only amp up the appearance but also layer in more flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, seafood like shrimp or fish, or even alongside a simple bowl of fragrant jasmine rice. Its fresh, zesty profile complements many dishes and can lighten up heavier meals perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe in individual glasses or small bowls for parties or as an elegant appetizer. Using colorful bowls or plates enhances the vivid colors of the mango and avocado, making your table feel like a tropical paradise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers. This helps keep the salad ingredients fresh and crisp without becoming soggy. The salad itself lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture.
Freezing
We don’t recommend freezing this Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe since fresh fruits like mango and avocado lose their texture and flavor after freezing, and the dressing may separate.
Reheating
This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature. Because it is made with fresh, raw ingredients, reheating is not advisable as it will affect the texture and freshness.
FAQs
Can I use canned mango instead of fresh?
Fresh mango is best for this recipe because it provides the right firmness and natural sweetness. Canned mango tends to be too soft and syrupy, which can alter the salad’s texture and flavor balance.
Is there a substitute for sweet chilli sauce?
You can substitute sweet chilli sauce with a mix of honey, chili flakes, and a splash of rice vinegar if you want a homemade alternative, but the distinctive sweet-spicy flavor of the original is tough to replicate exactly.
Can this salad be made vegan?
Absolutely! Simply use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing to keep the salad completely plant-based without compromising on flavor.
What kind of peanuts should I use?
Lightly salted, crushed roasted peanuts work best, offering a nice crunchy texture and subtle saltiness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the mango.
How do I adjust the spiciness?
If you prefer milder flavors, reduce the amount of sweet chilli sauce and omit the freshly grated ginger. For more heat, add finely chopped fresh chili or extra ginger to the dressing.
Final Thoughts
This Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe is a dazzling way to brighten any meal with minimal effort. Its balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements is simply irresistible. I can’t recommend it enough — once you try this refreshing salad, it’s sure to become a favorite that you’ll want to make again and again.
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Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and refreshing Mango Salad with Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. This quick and easy no-cook recipe features fresh mangoes, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and a zesty homemade dressing, making it an ideal light meal or side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ tsp freshly grated ginger
- Sea salt flakes, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
- ½ small red onion, finely sliced
- 1 small cucumber, halved lengthways, then sliced
- 1 cup (30g) coriander (cilantro) leaves, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup (40g) crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), and freshly grated ginger until well combined. Season with sea salt flakes and cracked black pepper to taste. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a shallow serving bowl, layer the diced mango, sliced cucumber, diced avocado, finely sliced red onion, and roughly chopped coriander leaves in that order. This layering creates a colorful and visually appealing presentation.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared sweet chilli lime dressing evenly over the layered salad ingredients. Sprinkle the crushed peanuts over the top to add a satisfying crunch. Just before serving, gently toss the salad to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing while preserving the vibrant colors.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm mangoes to maintain a nice texture in the salad.
- You can substitute peanuts with cashews or almonds if preferred or for nut allergies.
- For a spicier kick, add some finely chopped fresh chili to the dressing.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.
- Optional: Add fresh mint leaves for extra freshness.
