Fresh Arugula & Mango Salad Recipe: A Zesty Summer Delight

Fresh greens dance with tropical sweetness in this vibrant arugula and mango salad that promises a burst of nutrition.

Crisp, peppery arugula leaves create a perfect canvas for juicy mango chunks bursting with flavor.

The combination delivers a delightful balance of green earthiness and sweet tropical notes that’ll energize your plate.

Lightweight yet satisfying, this salad brings a refreshing twist to your meal with minimal effort.

Drizzled with a zesty dressing, each bite offers a delectable blend of textures and tastes.

Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this colorful dish proves healthy eating can be incredibly delicious.

Dive into this simple yet elegant salad and transform your lunch into a culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Arugula and Mango Salad Ingredients That Pop

• Lime Juice: Adds bright, zesty acidity that awakens the salad's flavors and helps balance the richness of other ingredients.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich foundation with heart-healthy fats and creates silky texture for the dressing.
• Honey: Introduces gentle sweetness that softens the lime's tartness and blends harmoniously with other components.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances and rounds out the dressing's overall flavor profile, bringing depth and balance.

• Arugula: Delivers peppery, slightly spicy green base with robust nutritional punch and vibrant color contrast.

• Mango: Contributes tropical sweetness, juicy texture, and beautiful golden color to brighten the salad.
• Avocado: Brings creamy richness, healthy fats, and smooth counterpoint to the peppery arugula.
• Red Onions: Offers sharp, crisp bite and beautiful purple hue that adds visual and flavor complexity.
• Pine Nuts: Introduces delicate, buttery crunch with elegant toasted notes and premium texture.

Tools for Tossing a Salad Full of Flavor

• Measuring Spoons: Essential for accurately portioning honey, salt, and pepper.
• Fork: Perfect for whisking the dressing ingredients until smooth and well-combined.
• Mason Jar or Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing and emulsifying the lime-honey dressing.
• Large Serving Bowl: Spacious container for tossing and combining salad ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Necessary for dicing mango, avocado, and slicing red onions.
• Sharp Knife: Key tool for precise chopping of fresh ingredients.

How to Assemble This Mango Arugula Salad

• Zesty Lime Elixir

Create a vibrant dressing by blending tangy lime juice with silky olive oil and sweet honey. Whisk the mixture until it transforms into a smooth, glossy potion. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to awaken the flavors.

• Colorful Salad Canvas

Gather fresh arugula leaves and transform them into a beautiful base. Artfully scatter chunks of golden mango, creamy avocado slices, and delicate ribbons of red onion across the green landscape.

• Flavor Fusion

Cascade the lime elixir over the salad, allowing each ingredient to become glistening and infused. Gently tumble the ingredients together, ensuring every leaf and morsel is kissed by the dressing.

• Crunchy Finale

Sprinkle toasted pine nuts across the top, adding a delightful nutty whisper and texture that elevates the entire dish. A final whisper of salt and pepper optional for those craving extra zest.

Fresh Add-Ins for a More Colorful Salad

• Tropical Twist: Swap mango for other sweet fruits like papaya or pineapple to bring exotic Caribbean vibes to your salad, creating a refreshing summer experience.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or crumbled feta cheese for a more substantial and satisfying meal that keeps you full longer.
• Nutty Alternatives: Replace pine nuts with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or pumpkin seeds if you want different textures and flavor profiles while maintaining a delightful crunch.
• Dressing Flexibility: Experiment with the lime-honey dressing by incorporating fresh herbs like mint or cilantro, or adding a touch of chili flakes for a subtle spicy kick that elevates the entire dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dressing and chop ingredients separately up to a day in advance, keeping components refrigerated and mixing just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and crisp textures.

Serve This Salad with a Bright Presentation

• Tropical Picnic Perfection: Pack this vibrant salad in a mason jar for a stunning portable lunch that stays crisp and fresh during outdoor adventures.
• Protein Power Boost: Enhance the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or crumbled feta cheese to create a more substantial meal that satisfies hunger.
• Cocktail Party Appetizer: Transform the salad into elegant bite-sized portions by serving in small shot glasses or on delicate spoons as a sophisticated and refreshing starter for gatherings.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the salad's bright, zesty flavors with a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or a light sparkling rosé to elevate the dining experience and balance the dish's tangy notes.

Store and Chill Your Salad Without Wilt

• Cool Chill Strategy: Store this vibrant salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, keeping dressing and salad ingredients separate to maintain maximum freshness for up to 2 days. Separate storage prevents wilting and preserves crisp textures.
• Quick Prep Trick: Chop mango, avocado, and slice onions ahead of time, storing each ingredient in sealed containers. This meal prep approach saves 15-20 minutes during actual salad assembly and helps streamline your cooking process.
• Smart Dressing Technique: Keep lime-honey dressing in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Shake well before each use to re-blend ingredients, ensuring consistent flavor and smooth consistency every time.
• Freshness Protection Plan: Add delicate ingredients like pine nuts only right before serving to prevent sogginess. Crisp arugula and crunchy nuts maintain optimal texture when added moments before enjoying the salad.

Refreshing Arugula and Mango Salad

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering citrus arugula and mango salad brings Mediterranean freshness to summer dining. Crisp greens, sweet mangoes, and zesty dressing create perfect balance for quick, nutritious meals you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 oz (141 g) arugula
• 1 ripe mango, peeled, pit removed, and diced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 avocado, peeled, cored, and diced
• ⅓ cup (45 g) toasted pine nuts
• ¼ cup (40 g) thinly sliced red onions
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk lime juice, olive oil, and honey in a medium bowl until smooth and emulsified, creating a vibrant citrus-infused dressing with balanced seasoning.
2. Salad Assembly: Layer fresh arugula in a large serving bowl, then artfully arrange diced mango, avocado chunks, and paper-thin red onion slices to create a colorful and textural foundation.
3. Finishing Touches: Drizzle the prepared lime-honey dressing over the salad, using gentle tossing motions to coat ingredients evenly without bruising delicate components, then crown with toasted pine nuts and a final sprinkle of salt and pepper to enhance the salad’s complex flavor profile.

Notes

• Dressing Emulsification Tip: Whisk vigorously or shake in a sealed jar to create a smooth, well-blended lime-honey vinaigrette that coats ingredients evenly.
• Ingredient Cutting Technique: Dice mango and avocado into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure consistent texture and beautiful presentation in every forkful.
• Salad Tossing Method: Use gentle, circular motions when mixing to prevent bruising delicate ingredients and maintain the salad’s fresh, vibrant appearance.
• Flavor Balancing Hack: Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, allowing the lime, honey, and salt to create a harmonious balance that enhances the natural sweetness of mango and creaminess of avocado.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg