If you are craving something bright, fresh, and bursting with tropical flavors, this Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Combining creamy avocado with juicy, sweet mango, sharp red onion, and a zesty lime dressing, this salad is like a little sunny vacation in a bowl. It’s perfect for warm weather, quick lunches, or as a colorful side that complements just about any main dish. Each bite offers a wonderful balance of creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy notes that keep you coming back for more.

Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe uses a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that work beautifully together. Every item brings something special, from the creamy texture of the avocado to the vibrant citrus punch of fresh lime juice.

Ripe avocados: Make sure they’re just soft enough so the salad is creamy without turning mushy.
Ripe mango: Use a fragrant mango that’s sweet and juicy for the best natural sweetness.
Red onion: Adds a crisp, sharp bite to balance the sweetness; soaking in water mellows the flavor.
Fresh cilantro: Bright, herbal notes that lift and freshen the whole dish.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed for a zesty, tangy punch essential in the dressing.
Olive oil: Smooths out the dressing and adds richness.
Jalapeno pepper (optional): A little heat that pairs so well with the sweetness—seeds removed to control the spice.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle kick and complexity.

How to Make Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Dice the Avocado and Mango

Start by peeling and pitting the avocados, then dice them into uniform half-inch cubes. Do the same with your ripe mango, aiming for the same size so the salad feels balanced and every bite has a beautiful mix of creamy avocado and juicy mango.

Step 2: Prepare the Red Onion

Thinly slice the red onion to add just the right amount of bite. If the onion’s flavor feels too intense, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to soften the sharpness. This little trick keeps your salad fresh without overwhelming your taste buds.

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients

Gently toss the diced avocado and mango with the sliced red onion in a medium bowl. Be delicate here—you want to mix these beautiful ingredients without mashing the avocado.

Step 4: Add Cilantro

Sprinkle in the chopped cilantro, which brings a bright, herby flavor that complements both the creamy avocado and sweet mango perfectly.

Step 5: Juice the Limes

Squeeze fresh lime juice into a small bowl. Fresh lime juice is a game-changer here—it adds the perfect tang that ties the whole salad together.

Step 6: Add Olive Oil

Whisk in olive oil to the lime juice to create a light dressing. This balances the acidity and adds a nice smoothness to the salad.

Step 7: Incorporate Jalapeno (Optional)

If you enjoy a little heat, add some minced jalapeno pepper, making sure to remove the seeds first to control the spice level. This adds an exciting edge to the dressing without stealing the spotlight.

Step 8: Season with Salt and Pepper

Add salt and black pepper to taste. The salt enhances the natural flavors, while black pepper adds a mild kick. Start with a little, taste, and adjust as desired.

Step 9: Whisk the Dressing

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until the mixture is slightly emulsified with a smooth consistency. This ensures every teaspoon of salad coating is perfectly balanced.

Step 10: Pour Dressing Over Salad

Drizzle the lime dressing over your avocado and mango mixture, then gently toss everything together so all the flavors blend beautifully and each bite is evenly dressed.

Step 11: Taste and Adjust

Give your salad a taste and tweak the seasoning if needed. Sometimes a little extra lime or salt is all you need to make it sing.

Step 12: Chill (Optional)

If you have time, chill the salad for 15-20 minutes in the fridge to let the flavors meld and the dressing settle, but don’t worry if you’re eager to dig in right away—this salad is delicious either way.

Step 13: Serve

Serve the avocado mango salad as a refreshing side, a colorful appetizer, or use it as a vibrant topping for grilled meats, fish, or tacos. The possibilities are endless and incredibly inspiring.

How to Serve Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe

Garnishes

Finish your salad with a sprinkle of chopped nuts like toasted cashews or pepitas for a delightful crunch. A few extra cilantro leaves on top add freshness and make the salad even more inviting.

Side Dishes

This salad shines alongside light, summery dishes such as grilled chicken, fish tacos, or a simple quinoa bowl. It acts as a bright contrast to heavier staples, lifting the whole meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, scoop this salad onto crisp tortilla chips for a vibrant appetizer or stuff it into warm tortillas with some shredded chicken for a delicious twist on tacos. You can also serve it in hollowed-out avocado halves or mango shells to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because avocado browns quickly, it’s best eaten within a day. To slow browning, gently press plastic wrap directly onto the salad surface before sealing.

Freezing

This salad is best enjoyed fresh due to the creamy avocado and juicy mango; freezing will negatively affect its texture and freshness. Avoid freezing if you want to maintain the salad’s beautiful consistency.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat this salad. Its fresh, crisp nature is best savored cold or at room temperature for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

FAQs

Can I use frozen mango for this salad?

Fresh mango is ideal for the best texture and flavor, but if frozen mango is all you have, make sure it is fully thawed and drained well before using to avoid extra moisture in the salad.

What can I substitute for cilantro if I don’t like it?

If cilantro isn’t your thing, fresh parsley or basil can be great alternatives that still add a fresh herbal note without overpowering the salad.

How spicy will the jalapeno make this salad?

The jalapeno adds a gentle warmth rather than overwhelming heat, especially when seeds are removed. You can adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level or omit it altogether.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

It’s best to prepare this salad fresh, but you can prep the ingredients (dice mango and avocado, slice onion) ahead of time and combine just before serving for ultimate freshness.

Can I add protein to make this a full meal?

Absolutely! Grilled shrimp, chicken, or black beans pair wonderfully with this salad and make it a satisfying, balanced meal.

Final Thoughts

I promise, once you try this Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe, it will become a bright, fresh staple in your recipe collection. It’s effortless, visually stunning, and packed with vibrant flavors that feel like a celebration with every bite. Whether for a quick lunch or as a dazzling side, this salad never fails to delight, so give it a whirl and watch it disappear fast!

Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Dressing Recipe

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4.1 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Avocado Mango Salad features ripe avocado and mango cubes tossed with red onion, cilantro, and a zesty lime dressing with olive oil and optional jalapeno for a refreshing, vibrant dish perfect as a side, appetizer, or topping.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Dressing

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

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Instructions

Dice the Avocado and Mango: Carefully peel and pit the avocados, then dice them into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Similarly, peel and dice the mango to match the size of the avocado for consistent texture.
Prepare the Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion. If the flavor is too strong, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow it out, then drain well.
Combine the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, gently combine the diced avocado, mango, and sliced red onion, taking care not to mash the avocado.
Add Cilantro: Stir in the chopped cilantro into the bowl with the fruit and onion mixture.
Juice the Limes: Squeeze the lime juice into a small bowl to prepare your dressing base.
Add Olive Oil: Whisk the olive oil into the lime juice until the dressing begins to emulsify and is smooth.
Incorporate Jalapeno (Optional): Add the minced jalapeno pepper to the dressing if you prefer some heat. Be sure it’s finely minced and seeds removed to control spiciness.
Season with Salt and Pepper: Add salt and black pepper to the dressing and adjust according to your taste preferences.
Whisk the Dressing: Vigorously whisk all dressing ingredients together to create a smooth, slightly emulsified dressing.
Pour Dressing Over Salad: Drizzle the lime dressing over the avocado, mango, onion, and cilantro mixture. Gently toss the salad to evenly coat everything without mashing the ingredients.
Taste and Adjust: Sample the salad and tweak seasoning as needed by adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice to balance flavors.
Chill (Optional): For enhanced flavors, refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving. This step is optional if serving immediately.
Serve: Serve as a refreshing side dish, appetizer, or topping for grilled meats or fish. It also pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips or in tacos and wraps.