This Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad Recipe For Summer Bliss is your go-to solution for a light, vibrant, and incredibly satisfying summer dish. It’s the perfect way to beat the heat with its cool, crisp textures and bright, tropical flavors, making it an indispensable addition to your warm-weather culinary repertoire.
Key Ingredients for Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced or diced into ½-inch pieces
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced (soak in ice water for 10 minutes to reduce pungency, if desired)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional additions: ¼ cup flaked toasted almonds or cashews, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice
How to Make Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad
This Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad is a breeze to whip up, boasting a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and refreshing flavors in under 15 minutes. Its vibrant simplicity makes it an ideal make-ahead dish for picnics, BBQs, or a light lunch. The star of the show is the irresistible combination of juicy mango and crisp cucumber, elevated by a zesty lime dressing and aromatic herbs.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Mangoes: Start by carefully peeling your ripe mangoes. Slice the flesh away from the pit and then dice it into uniform ½-inch cubes. Place the diced mango into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Prepare the Cucumber: Wash and thinly slice your English cucumber. You can either leave the peel on for extra color and texture or peel it if you prefer. Slice the cucumber into rounds or dice it into ½-inch pieces, similar in size to the mango. Add the prepared cucumber to the bowl with the mango.
Prepare the Red Onion: Thinly slice half of a small red onion. To soften its bite and make it more palatable in a fresh salad, you can soak the sliced onion in a bowl of ice water for about 10 minutes. After soaking, drain the onion thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it to the bowl.
Add Fresh Herbs: Wash and finely chop your fresh cilantro and mint leaves. Generously sprinkle the chopped herbs over the mango, cucumber, and red onion in the bowl. The fresh herbs will add a wonderful aromatic quality to the salad.
Whisk the Dressing: In a small separate bowl or a jar, whisk together the fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, and honey or agave nectar (if using). Season the dressing generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it a good whisk until well combined and emulsified.
Combine and Toss: Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss everything together using two large spoons or your hands, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, which can bruise the delicate mangoes and cucumber.
Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lime juice to achieve your perfect flavor balance.
Add Optional Toppings (if using): If you desire, now is the time to sprinkle in any optional additions like toasted almonds or cashews for crunch, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Gently toss once more to incorporate.
Chill and Serve: For the best flavor and to allow the salad to meld together, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to deepen and the salad to become perfectly refreshing. Serve chilled as a delightful side dish or a light main course.
Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad
Get ready to fall head over heels for this Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad! Its starring role goes to the sensational combination of sweet, ripe mangoes and cool, crisp cucumber, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that scream summer. Imagine biting into juicy mango and the satisfying crunch of cucumber, all brought together by a bright, zesty lime dressing – it’s pure bliss.
Forget expensive restaurant salads; this recipe is a budget-friendly champion, proving that deliciousness doesn’t need to break the bank. By using simple, fresh ingredients you likely already have or can easily find, you get an incredibly flavorful and satisfying dish that feels like a gourmet treat. The vibrant cilantro and mint not only add a burst of freshness but also a beautiful visual appeal, making it a standout on any summer table. Ready to unlock a new favorite summer side? Give this Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad Recipe For Summer Bliss a try today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored for future enjoyment.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2-3 days. The flavors will continue to meld and deepen over this time, making it even more flavorful.
- Freezing: This salad is not recommended for freezing. The high water content of the cucumber and mango will cause them to become mushy and lose their crisp texture once thawed.
- Reheating: As this salad is meant to be served cold or chilled, reheating is not applicable. Simply take it out of the refrigerator and give it a gentle stir before serving. If the dressing has separated slightly, a quick whisk will bring it back together.
Final Thoughts
This Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad Recipe For Summer Bliss is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create an explosion of flavor. We encourage you to give this delightful recipe a try – it’s the perfect way to brighten up any summer meal and enjoy the season’s freshest produce.
Refreshing Mango Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by carefully peeling your ripe mangoes. Slice the flesh away from the pit and then dice it into uniform ½-inch cubes. Place the diced mango into a medium-sized mixing bowl.2 ripe mangoes
- Wash and thinly slice your English cucumber. You can either leave the peel on for extra color and texture or peel it if you prefer. Slice the cucumber into rounds or dice it into ½-inch pieces, similar in size to the mango. Add the prepared cucumber to the bowl with the mango.1 large English cucumber
- Thinly slice half of a small red onion. To soften its bite and make it more palatable in a fresh salad, you can soak the sliced onion in a bowl of ice water for about 10 minutes. After soaking, drain the onion thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it to the bowl.½ small red onion
- Wash and finely chop your fresh cilantro and mint leaves. Generously sprinkle the chopped herbs over the mango, cucumber, and red onion in the bowl. The fresh herbs will add a wonderful aromatic quality to the salad.½ cup fresh cilantro, ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- In a small separate bowl or a jar, whisk together the fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, and honey or agave nectar (if using). Season the dressing generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it a good whisk until well combined and emulsified.2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon honey or agave nectar, salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss everything together using two large spoons or your hands, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, which can bruise the delicate mangoes and cucumber.
- Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lime juice to achieve your perfect flavor balance.salt, freshly ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- If you desire, now is the time to sprinkle in any optional additions like toasted almonds or cashews for crunch, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Gently toss once more to incorporate.¼ cup flaked toasted almonds or cashews, a pinch red pepper flakes
- For the best flavor and to allow the salad to meld together, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to deepen and the salad to become perfectly refreshing. Serve chilled as a delightful side dish or a light main course.