Mango Cucumber Salad
Mango Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish combining the natural sweetness of ripe mangoes with the crisp crunch of cucumbers, enhanced by fresh herbs and a zesty lime dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or healthy snack, this salad brings bright, summery flavors to your table any time of year.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Main Ingredients
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced into bite-sized chunks
- 2 Persian or English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 small fresh chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons toasted peanuts or sesame seeds
- Optional: diced pineapple or papaya (for tropical twist)
- Optional: finely chopped jalapeños or dash of Sriracha (for spicy kick)
- Optional: toasted coconut flakes (nut-free alternative)
- Prepare the Produce: Peel and dice the ripe mangoes into bite-sized chunks. Thinly slice the cucumbers using a sharp knife or mandoline to ensure consistent crunch.
- Chop the Herbs: Roughly chop fresh cilantro or mint leaves finely enough to distribute flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, olive or sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Add chili flakes or fresh chili if you desire a bit of heat.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the diced mango, sliced cucumbers, chopped herbs, and the dressing, making sure each piece is lightly coated but not soggy.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with optional toasted nuts or seeds for added crunch and serve immediately for the freshest taste, or chill for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use firm cucumbers to prevent the salad from becoming watery and to maintain a satisfying crunch.
- Don’t overdress the salad; start with less dressing and add more as needed to avoid sogginess.
- Balance the flavors by tasting and adjusting acidity and sweetness with lime juice and salt.
- Chop mangoes, cucumbers, and herbs uniformly to ensure a well-balanced bite every time.
- For best texture, prep mangoes and cucumbers separately and combine just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: mango cucumber salad, fresh salad, summer salad, gluten free, vegan salad, light lunch, side dish, healthy snack