Lentil Mango Salad

This Lentil Mango Salad recipe is the best way to take advantage of a variety of fresh produce for an explosion of tastes and textures you’ll love! Made with sweet mangoes, crisp veggies, and hearty lentils, this salad is elevated to perfection with a warm spiced tahini dressing. It’s a satisfying salad that’s ready in just minutes. 

Reasons Why This Mango Salad is Magnificent 

If you didn’t already know, we’re passionate about disproving the myth that healthy salads have to be bland and boring. We may be biased, but with recipes like our rainbow salad, balela salad, and this southwest chicken salad, we think we’re off to a great start. 

That said, with summer produce coming into season, we knew we had to take advantage of all the mouthwatering produce with new drool-worthy salad recipes! Crisp, juicy, and full of nutrients, this mango lentil salad hits the spot. 

Here are a few reasons why we know you’ll love it as much as we do: 

• It’s full of vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and complex carbs to keep you full. 
• It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegetarian. 
• You can serve it on its own or enjoy it as a side dish. 
• It comes together in minutes. 
• Leftovers can be stored and enjoyed for several days. 

How to Pick the Best Mango

The key to making an absolutely crave-worthy mango salad recipe is to pick the perfect mangoes. Keep reading to learn how to pick a ripe mango, but we’ll break down the key points for you below. 

• They should be firm but give slightly when squeezed. 
• Color is not a reliable indicator of flavor or freshness. 
• Ripe mangoes should have a pleasant, fruity smell. 

How to Cut and Slice Fresh Mangoes

If you’ve never cut into a mango, it can be a little intimidating. However, with a few simple steps, it’s easy to do! 

Take a look at videos and images of how to slice a mango, and follow the steps below. 

1. Slice off each side, just missing the pit. 
2. Slice vertical lines or a grid into the flesh of each piece. Be careful not to break the skin!
3.  Use a spoon to scoop out the fruit, and enjoy. 

What Goes Well with Mangoes? Ingredients You’ll Need 

Tasty on its own, mango is a super versatile fruit and can be paired with a wide variety of ingredients. As a result, there are endless different lentil salad recipes. 

In our take on this dish, we grabbed a bunch of fresh ingredients and gave them a toss with a homemade dressing for a speedy recipe that’s a breeze to put together. Here’s the rundown of everything you’ll need:

For the Lentil Salad

• Brown Lentils – We prefer brown lentils, but any type of lentils you like best can be substituted. You can even opt for canned lentils. Just be sure to use a low-sodium variety, and rinse and drain them well. 
• Bell Pepper – A combination of sweet red bell peppers and yellow bell peppers adds a bit of crunch along with flavor and nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium. 
• Jalapeños – Use as little or as much as you’d like for a touch of heat, and don’t forget to remove the seeds! 
• Mango – You’ll want two large, ripe mangoes. 
• Red Onion – Included for extra crunch and a warm, tangy taste. 
• Cucumber – We prefer English cucumbers because they don’t have a tough outer skin and provide a sweeter flavor. However, any cucumbers you have on hand can be used. 
• Avocado – Include ripe avocados for healthy fats and a smooth, creamy texture that compliments the crispness of the veggies. 
• Cilantro – Included for a punchy, herbaceous taste. If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, feel free to omit it completely, or swap it out for fresh parsley. 

For the Dressing

• Olive Oil – This forms the base of the dressing, adding healthy fats and a slightly peppery flavor. 
• Tahini – Include for extra depth and a rich, nutty taste. 
• Honey – Added for a touch of sweetness that enhances the natural flavor of the fruit. Feel free to substitute it for maple syrup to keep this lentil salad vegan. 
• Lemon – Fresh lemon will yield the best results and helps complement the natural sweetness of the mango. 
• Seasonings – Ground cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper add a touch of warmth and heat to balance out the fresh, sweet flavor of the fruit and veggies. 

Flavor Variations and Add-Ins

Consider this lentil salad recipe your fridge cleanup superhero. Mix and match various ingredients to give it your personal touch.

Here are a few of our favorite add-ins to spark your creativity:

• Greens – Add extra nutrients and volume with a base of greens like spinach, arugula, lettuce, and even kale. 
• Nuts and Seeds – Enhance the texture with extra crunch by adding a sprinkle of cashews, pecans, walnuts, or sesame seeds. 
• Grains – If you aren’t a fan of lentils, feel free to replace them with quinoa, rice, or even farro. 
• Fruit – If you love an extra sweet salad, try incorporating more fruit like pomegranate seeds, blueberries, or peaches. 
• Herbs – Replace the cilantro with any fresh herbs you like best! As mentioned, parsley makes for a great alternative, but mint adds a bright, refreshing flavor as well. 
• Seasonings – We kept the seasonings in the dressing simple, but you can easily add to or substitute them with more warm options like garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, or even Tajin. 

How to Make a Showstopping Mango Salad Recipe

This lentil mango salad is a breeze to whip up, perfect for those scorching summer days when the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove. Here’s all you need to do:

1. Cook the Lentils. Rinse the lentils and add them to a large pot, submerging them in water. Bring the liquid to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, and cook until the lentils are tender. Drain the water, and set the lentils aside to cool. 
2. Mix the Salad. Add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl, and toss to combine. 
3. Prepare the Dressing. In a mason jar or dressing jar, add all the salad dressing ingredients, and whisk to combine. 
4. Toss. Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine and coat all the ingredients, and enjoy!  

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Produce. The riper and fresher your produce, the better your salad will taste.
• Adjust the Seasoning. Of course, you can adjust the dressing ingredients to suit your flavor preferences. However, we highly recommend giving it a taste test and slowly adjusting the ratios and ingredients as you go. A little goes a long way! 
• Enjoy Right Away. Because this lentil salad is full of so many fresh ingredients, it’s best to serve it immediately. The longer it sits, the less flavorful it’ll be and the soggier the produce will get. 

Serving Suggestions 

This lentil salad isn’t just a fantastic plant-based meal; it’s also a stellar companion as a hearty side dish to chicken, fish, or meat. It’s the best of both worlds!

A few of our favorite pairings are hummus with meat, beef kofta meatballs, Middle Eastern chicken, and baked feta salmon. 

Common Questions About This Lentil Mango Salad? 

More Flavor-Loaded Salad Recipes

Looking for more salads you’ll actually look forward to eating? We’ve got you covered with the options below! 

• Summer Berry Salad 
• Chickpea Cucumber Feta Salad 
• Cucumber Thai Salad 
• Warm Italian Pasta Salad