A Thai mango salad is not just a simple dish to make; it’s a beautiful world of flavors, textures, and colors on the plate. All that and it’s just twenty minutes of prep max and a few easy steps to complete. This is the kind of bold tropical salad that quickly steals the show from the main course.
And the star of the show is the unripe green mango. It brings a tropical sweet tartness that is beautifully balanced with the other ingredients. The green mango’s crunchy texture and slightly sour taste intertwine perfectly with the sweetness of the red bell pepper and the crisp, refreshing notes of the English cucumber. The thinly sliced onion adds a layer of sharpness, creating a counterpoint to it all.
The cilantro and mint lend an aromatic freshness that elevate the salad, too. The cilantro brings a slight citrusy flavor, while the mint provides a cool, refreshing aftertaste. And all that’s brought to even more life with the bold dressing, featuring lime juice and a fiery red Thai pepper. This chili pepper delivers a bold upper-medium heat, a natural complement to the delicious tropical sweetness and tang you get from the salad.
Top it all with roughly chopped roasted peanuts to add a delightful crunch and a touch of earthiness. There’s so much to love here. Serve it on its own as a light lunch or pair it with grilled meats (especially when tropical fruit marinades are in the mix.)
See the steps (video slideshow):
Like this recipe? You’ll love these too:
- Jalapeño Mango Salsa: One of our favorite salsas with salty tortilla chips.
- Mango Habanero Hot Sauce: Extra-hot habs and this tropical fruit are a super-pairing.
- Spiced Pineapple: A sweet, tangy, and spicy dessert that’s sure to be a hit.
Thai Mango Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 red Thai pepper chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional
Green Mango Salad
- 1 green mango peeled and cut into strips
- 1 red bell pepper smaller sized, thinly sliced
- 1 English cucumber cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon mint chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chopped Thai chili. Taste and adjust the flavors.
- In a large bowl, add the prepared mango, sliced red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and herbs.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Garnish with crushed peanuts and lime.