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Delicious and super easy this Mango Salad Dressing is the antidote for boring salads! Try it on salmon, shrimp and chicken too!
Have you noticed? Mangoes are starting to show up here, there and everywhere. I'm excited to share this delicious. Sweet and Spicy Mango Salad Dressing as a way to herald in the mango season. To me, it's the perfect time of year to pizzaz up the winter menu with something deliciously fresh!
When is mango season?
Although you can generally find some type of mango at your local grocery store year round, mango season really starts in February and goes through September. Different varieties peak at different times and have varying shapes and colors. Here's a rundown of the different types of mangos that are available in the U.S. and their peak season, according to The National Mango Board:
- Honey Mangos - mid-February through mid-August.
- Francis Mangos - mid-April through mid-August.
- Hoden - mid-February through July.
- Keitt - mid-July through mid-October.
- Kent - January through August.
- Tommy Adkins - January through December.
I don't know about you, but I feel like it's easy to get in a rut during these dreary winter months. But it doesn't have to be that way. If it seems that you're eating the same things over and over again, it's time to change things up a little. Or a lot. Actually, that's my job - to help you think "outside the box" of your culinary world, so here we go!
If you haven't noticed, we're crazy about salads here at The Café. If you're bored with your salad life, I suggest you check out our salad archives. One of my favorite things to do is to create fresh, delicious salads with the unending array of delightful, seasonal ingredients. It was even a surprise to me when I took a peek at the archives and saw how many salads and salad dressings there are! There are green salads, pasta salads, quinoa salads, noodle salads. black bean salads, Mexican salads, Greek salads and on and on it goes. Whew! Yes indeed, we do enjoy salads!
This super easy Sweet and Spicy Mango Salad Dressing is a recent favorite of ours. I've used it with lots of different types of salads, and have also drizzled it over pan-seared salmon (like this Mexican Sugar Seared Salmon) and grilled chicken. The dressing transforms a simple green salad into a magically delicious accompaniment to just about any meal.
The ingredients for this Sweet and Spicy Mango Salad Dressing include fresh mango, honey, cumin, garlic, cilantro and hot chili pepper. A splash of lime juice adds lots of vibrant flavor and pairs nicely with the sweet and spicy ingredients. I used a Fresno pepper which is a small red pepper, about the size of an average jalapeño and with similar medium heat. I love the little specks of red, but if you can't find Fresno peppers (I usually buy them at Super Target) a jalapeño will substitute nicely.
This dressing takes around 10 minutes to throw together and keeps well for a week in the fridge. Most of it's done in the blender, making it super simple. It's decently healthy too with only ⅓ cup olive oil and honey and fresh mango as the sweeteners.
So, if you're tired of the same old salads, switch things up a bit and whip up a batch of this beautiful-hued, Sweet and Spicy Mango Salad Dressing. It will add a bit of delicious panache to any meal!
Café Tips for making this Sweet and Spicy Mango Salad Dressing...
- You might be wondering why not just put everything in the blender? I tried that and the color gets kind of murky. It's much prettier if you chop the cilantro and pepper fine and add them on their own. If you're in a huge hurry, the flavor will be the same. Just drizzle in the oil from the opening in the top of the blender cap. I like to use a small funnel for this which prevents spattering.
- 1 large mango will yield about 1 ¼ cups diced or chopped fruit. If you have a little more or a little less, it's fine.
- Here's a great article on how to peel a mango.
- If you don't have a fresh orange, the "not from concentrate" juice at your local store is fine.
- Measure your oil first and let the oil run over your measuring spoon as you pour it into the measuring cup. When you get ready to measure the honey, it will release from the spoon like magic and make the job much easier.
- If you're in the market for a blender, I have this KitchenAid Proline Blender. I love it and use it multiple times a week (sometimes a day!). It's super well made, along the lines of a Vitamix, and can do everything a Vitamix does (and more). It's not cheap, but like a KitchenAid mixer, it's made to last for years.
This Sweet and Spicy Mango Salad Dressing was first published in 2015. We've refreshed to pictures and post and are reposting it for your salad eating pleasure!
- 1 large ripe mango peeled, pitted and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (2 medium size limes will yield approximately ¼ cup, although yield does vary as some limes are much juicier than others.)
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped, medium heat chili pepper (I used a Fresno but jalapeño will also work well)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Combine mango, lime juice, orange juice, honey, cumin, garlic and salt in a blender container. Puree on medium speed until smooth. Transfer to a medium size jar.
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Add oil to the mixture in the jar in a slow, steady stream while stirring continuously with a fork or small whisk.
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Add finely chopped chili pepper, cilantro and black pepper. Taste and add a bit more salt, if needed.
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Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.
See Café Tips above.
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Pen says
Love it so much you geniuses. Do you mean antidote?
Chris Scheuer says
Yes!! I did mean antidote! Thanks so much 🙂 I need all those extra "eyes" out there!!
Meera Kotak says
Everyone who has tasted it so far has loved it and raved over it. Thank You so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for taking the time to give us feedback Meera, so happy you have enjoyed it!
abc says
hai
the dressing is really good........ but can u tell me on which salad will it taste goood ..........................pls reply
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for your comment. It's delicious with any type of lettuce and great on just a simple green salad.
Madi says
I just made this dressing and it’s so good! I’ve found it tastes great over mixed greens with avocado, strawberries, and sliced almonds. Hope that helps!
Chris Scheuer says
Yum! That sounds wonderful!
Ramella says
Ok...Ramella again...so I didn't wait for the flavors to meld. I had grilled boneless jerk Chicken breast. The dressing was absolutely fabulous. I had just a tad left so today, Monday, June 19th, 2016 made your dressing again...my mangos were very ripe. I changed my olive oil to Bertolli EVOO. I also purchased Fresco Red Peppers...while it was still slightly thick it was better than the one I made yesterday...Oh my...I can't wait to serve this to my guest. Thank you for sharing.
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you Ramella, so happy you enjoyed this. You could always thin this with a little extra orange juice if it's too thick for you. I'm glad you tried it with a different oil too. It can make a big difference! Hope your guests enjoy it!
Ramella says
I just made your dressing. I did not have Fresno peppers so I used jalapeño. I find that the dressing is slightly thick and carries the taste of olive oil (Colavital Extra Verging Olive Oil). I'm going to let it sit for a day or so to allow the flavors to meld. Why would the dressing be slightly thick? It smells awesome.
Eileen says
This is the recipe that led me to your site. I'm now a subscriber, after seeing all the recipes you have to offer.
Can't wait to get cooking!
Chris Scheuer says
So glad you came by Eileen! And thanks for joining us here at The Café!
Yolanda says
I Love this! I've started a Reboot program for my health and part of it is eating a healthy lunch and dinner so I'm gathering up lots of salad and salad dressing ideas and this is a winner!
Chris Scheuer says
Good for you! Enjoy!
Teresa says
This dressing is such a pretty color and looks sooo good! I love the pitcher too - may I ask where you got it?
Chris Scheuer says
A Paris flea market, of all places Teresa! Scott and I are always on the prowl for fun, unique props for TCSF!
Tess garcia says
Hi Chris. I would definitely like to try this recipe. May I know if I can substitute lemon juice for lime juice since lime is not an easy find in my area. Thanks.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Tess, I think lemon would work although the flavor will be different. It will still be nice. 🙂
Sandra says
You are the Queen of Salads and this dressing is a beauty. I can only imagine how great it would be to have this in the middle of winter.
Erin @ Simple, Sweet & Savory says
This dressing looks amazing! I could just drink it. And I love how it could go on pretty much any salad I make. YUM!
Susan says
I'm not sure whether I'd eat it or just want to look at how beautiful it is! Such a gorgeous color and those flecks of cilantro and chili peppers are so beautiful. When we overeat on the weekends, salad dinners are always on the menu for Monday night (and sometimes Tuesday too if we've really over indulged!). Gorgeous, Chris!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
This is a winning recipe. I love the combination of sweet, spicy, and citrus, that you've put together in the recipe. Wonderful!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Nancy!
Liz says
Mango salad dressing??? I'd be pouring this winner over everything, too!!! And it's gorgeous, too.
Debra says
What a colorful, beautiful, delicious dressing, Chris.
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, you are certainly an expert at creating the most exiting salad dressings ever - just look at that color and the wonderful ingredients. You managed to combine so many delightful flavor components - a certain hard-to-resist recipe indeed!
Hope you are spending a wonderful Sunday,
Andrea
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love mangoes, what an incredible dressing!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Wow Chris - I just had one of the best mangoes I've ever eaten and now I want to run out and buy another so I can make this. The color is gorgeous. Thank you! Pinning 🙂
Monique says
I love mango in salads and have been going overboard with it..what's one more time righ?:)Thank you..GORGEOUS.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Love the sound of this salad dressing and I agree that it's always great to add new flavours in to the mix. Sweet and spicy is always perfect 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love mango dressing. This is so fruity, fresh and tasty. I probably would drink whole pitcher :-))
Have a lovely weekend, Chris!
Angie
Valya @ Valya' s Taste of Home says
Love the ingredients in this dressing. Will definitely try this out.
cheri says
Hi Chris, I think I would be able to drink this in the mornings to get me going , Wow! love everything about this! I can see this dressing on a salad and fruit salad.
Vicki Bensinger says
Chris I love the sound of this dressing. Not only is it beautiful but the combination of ingredients sounds fantastic! I will definitely be making this.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Vickie, hope you enjoy it as much as we have!
Patricia Harnett says
Does this dressing freeze please?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Patricia,
I'm not sure about freezing. I have a feeling it would separate but I've never tried it.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
The very thought of this drives me crazy --- the sweet, the spicy, the cilantro --- all my favorites!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Sue, you and I have the same favorites!