Vibrant Avocado Mango Salad Recipe

Zesty Avocado Mango Salad Recipe: A Tangy Lime Blend

Cool breezes and summer sunshine call for a refreshing avocado mango salad that bursts with tropical flavors.

Ripe mangoes and creamy avocados create a delightful dance of textures and colors.

Each bite promises a zesty blend of sweet and tangy notes that awaken your taste buds.

The salad combines fresh ingredients that complement each other perfectly.

Bright green avocado chunks nestle alongside golden mango pieces, creating a stunning visual feast.

Crisp herbs and a light citrus dressing elevate this dish from simple to spectacular.

You’ll want to savor every colorful, vibrant spoonful of this delicious summer salad.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 5

Tropical Goodness In Avocado Mango Salad With A Zesty Lime Dressing

For Dressing Ingredients:
  • Lime Juice: Bright citrus base that adds tangy freshness and helps balance the richness of the salad.
  • Olive Oil: Smooth, silky binding agent that creates a luxurious texture for the dressing.
  • Honey: Natural sweetener that softens the lime's sharp edge and adds depth to the flavor profile.
  • Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that brings out the individual ingredient characteristics.
  • Black Pepper: Subtle, warming spice that adds a gentle heat and complexity.
  • Chili Flakes: Provides a spicy kick and vibrant color to the dressing.
  • Cumin: Warm, earthy spice that introduces a smoky undertone to the overall taste.
For Salad Base Ingredients:
  • Avocado: Creamy, buttery fruit that adds richness and healthy fats to the salad.
  • Mango: Sweet, tropical fruit that brings bright color and juicy freshness.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Crisp vegetable that offers crunch and a mild sweet pepper flavor.
  • Red Onion: Sharp, tangy ingredient that provides a zesty bite and beautiful color contrast.
  • Cucumber: Cool, refreshing vegetable that adds hydrating crispness to the salad.
  • Cilantro: Herbaceous green that introduces a bright, fresh aromatic element.
For Garnish Ingredients:
  • Feta/Cotija Cheese: Crumbly, salty cheese that adds creamy texture and tangy flavor.
  • Toasted Nuts: Crunchy element that provides nutty depth and textural contrast.

Tools You’ll Want For Avocado Mango Salad With A Zesty Lime Dressing

  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
  • Small bowl: Ideal for mixing lime dressing components.
  • Large bowl: Essential for tossing salad ingredients gently.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for dicing avocado, mango, bell pepper, and cucumber.
  • Cutting board: Provides safe surface for chopping vegetables.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure honey, salt, and spices.

Toss Together Avocado Mango Salad With A Zesty Lime Dressing

  • Whip Up The Tangy Dressing

Grab a small mixing bowl and create a flavor explosion by blending fresh lime juice with smooth olive oil, a touch of golden honey, a pinch of salt, a sprinkle of black pepper, fiery chili flakes, and a hint of warm cumin. Whisk everything together until the dressing looks beautifully smooth and unified.

  • Craft The Colorful Salad Base

In a spacious bowl, lovingly combine creamy avocado chunks with vibrant mango pieces, crisp red bell pepper slices, thinly sliced red onion, cool cucumber bits, and a handful of fresh cilantro. Let the colors and textures dance together.

  • Finish And Feast

Drizzle your zesty dressing over the salad, gently tossing to ensure every morsel gets coated with deliciousness. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, sprinkle some crumbled cheese and toasted nuts on top. Serve right away and savor the burst of tropical flavors that will make your taste buds sing!

Tips To Brighten Avocado Mango Salad With A Zesty Lime Dressing

  • Perfect Texture Tip: Dice avocado and mango into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure each spoonful has balanced flavors and textures without overwhelming chunks.
  • Ripeness Matters: Select mangoes and avocados that are slightly soft when gently pressed, ensuring maximum sweetness and creamy consistency for the salad.
  • Quick Vegan Swap: Replace feta/cotija cheese with toasted pumpkin seeds or vegan cashew cheese crumbles to create a completely plant-based version of this refreshing salad.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare dressing and chop vegetables separately, combining just before serving to prevent avocado from browning and maintain crisp vegetable texture.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust chili flakes quantity based on heat preference – reduce for mild flavor or increase for a more intense, spicy kick that complements the sweet mango.

Fun Ways To Serve Avocado Mango Salad With A Zesty Lime Dressing

  • Tropical Brunch Delight: Serve this vibrant salad as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled shrimp or coconut chicken for a light, summery meal.
  • Summer Party Showstopper: Set up a salad bar where guests can sprinkle additional toppings like crispy bacon bits, toasted coconut flakes, or extra herbs to customize their portions.
  • Healthy Lunch Companion: Pack this salad in a mason jar with dressing at the bottom for a portable, nutritious work or picnic lunch that stays crisp and delicious.
  • Quick Appetizer Twist: Serve the salad on small appetizer spoons or in mini shot glasses as a beautiful, bite-sized starter during cocktail parties or gatherings.

Keep Avocado Mango Salad With A Zesty Lime Dressing Fresh

  • Flavor Preservation Peak: Enjoy this vibrant salad within 2 hours of preparation to maintain crisp textures and bright flavors.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, understanding that avocado and mango will soften slightly.
  • Dressing Separation Hack: Keep the zesty lime dressing in a separate sealed container to maintain ingredient crunchiness and prevent soggy vegetables.
  • Ingredient Freshness Tip: Chop avocado and mango just before serving to prevent browning and maintain their delightful color and texture.
Print
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Vibrant Avocado Mango Salad Recipe

Vibrant Avocado Mango Salad


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4.5 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Refreshing avocado mango salad delights palates with its Caribbean-inspired medley of creamy and tropical ingredients. Crisp vegetables and tangy lime dressing elevate this simple yet elegant dish you’ll crave all summer long.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ripe mango, diced
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • ½ red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small cucumber, diced
  • ¼ red onion, finely sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 3 tbsps fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
  • ½ tsp cumin (optional, for extra depth)
  • 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese (optional, for a salty contrast)
  • ¼ cup toasted almonds or cashews (optional, for crunch)

Instructions

  1. Dressing Creation: Whisk lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, black pepper, chili flakes, and cumin in a mixing bowl until a smooth, vibrant emulsion forms, blending the ingredients into a harmonious seasoning.
  2. Ingredient Preparation: Dice avocado and mango into precise cubes, then slice red bell pepper, red onion, and cucumber into delicate, uniform pieces, ensuring each component maintains its structural integrity.
  3. Salad Assembly: Gently combine the chopped produce in a large bowl, carefully folding the ingredients to preserve their individual textures and prevent bruising of the delicate fruits and vegetables.
  4. Herb and Seasoning: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the colorful mixture, distributing the aromatic herb evenly to infuse the salad with a bright, zesty undertone.
  5. Dressing and Finishing: Drizzle the prepared lime dressing over the salad, then tenderly toss to coat each ingredient, followed by garnishing with crumbled feta or cotija cheese and toasted nuts for added creamy and crunchy complexity.
  6. Serving: Present the salad immediately to capture its peak freshness, allowing the vibrant tropical and tangy flavors to shine in a visually stunning and palate-pleasing composition.

Notes

  • Choose Ripe Fruits: Select avocados and mangoes that yield slightly to gentle pressure, ensuring optimal sweetness and creamy texture without bruising.
  • Prevent Browning: Toss avocado cubes in lime juice immediately after cutting to maintain their bright green color and prevent oxidation.
  • Balance Flavors Carefully: Adjust dressing ingredients gradually, tasting as you mix to achieve the perfect balance between tangy, sweet, and spicy notes.
  • Texture Preservation: Cut vegetables and fruits just before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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