Mango & Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing
Ever tried mango avocado salad and found yourself wondering if this whole “healthy food is boring” thing might just be a myth? Yeah, me too. One rushed Tuesday lunch, I whipped this up out of pure desperation—half an avocado, a lonely mango, and…wow. Suddenly, my sad desk salad wasn’t so sad anymore. If you ever get tired of the same greens or maybe you just want something bright, sweet, and crazy quick, this little number is honestly a game-changer. Oh—if you’re as into avocado as I am, you should peek at these cheesy baked meatballs with garden vegetables and fresh avocado salad for a proper flavor blast. 
Why You’ll Love This Mango & Avocado Salad
So first off, I’ll just say it: mango and avocado together are almost too good. The mix is fresh but also sort of creamy and feels wildly indulgent. You don’t need fancy chef skills to pull this off. I mean heck, this is a salad you can throw together when you’re half-awake in the morning (or after work when your brain is fried). It’s also ridiculously versatile. Serve it with grilled anything, plop on a taco, or straight up eat it from a bowl—no judgment here. And, big bonus: mango avocado salad is definitely what you want if you’re hosting and need that five-star restaurant look without the drama.
A friend of mine (she’s got two picky kids) tried this out, and now they request “the happy salad” every week. It’s become that dish I rely on when I’m in a rush, but still want to impress. Trust me: folks will think you slaved away, and actually—you didn’t.
“I made this for a family BBQ, and it was the star of the meal. Everyone asked for the recipe and I felt like a total kitchen rockstar!” — Jamie V., actual salad fan.
Ingredients & Notes
These aren’t complicated—thank goodness.
- Ripe mango, juicy and a little bit soft to the touch
- Ripe avocado, about the same softness as mango (nobody wants unripe avocado, unless you’re a bird)
- A good handful of cherry tomatoes, chopped, or go rogue with regular tomato if that’s what’s around
- Red onion, just a thin slice or two
- Fresh cilantro (for all the cilantro lovers—if not, parsley works)
- Lime (fresh squeezed, please, the bottle stuff…not gonna cut it)
- Olive oil, just a drizzle
- Pinch of sea salt and black pepper to taste
Can I be honest? Sometimes I even add a little chopped jalapeño if I’m feeling wild. This is one of those salads where what you see is what you get, but also, you can riff like crazy.
How to Make This Salad
Right, here’s where it gets kind of hilariously simple. Peel your mango and slice it into cubes—sneak a bite, no one’s watching. Slice the avocado, then scoop it right out into a bowl. Halve your cherry tomatoes and, if you’re using onion, slice that thinly, then toss it in with the rest. Sprinkle cilantro over everything.
Now, in a tiny bowl or mug (because who needs another dirty dish), whisk your fresh lime juice with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Seriously, don’t skip the lime; it wakes up all the flavors like magic. Pour this magical dressing over the chopped goodness and give everything a toss. Don’t overmix—or it’ll all go soft. Just enough to combine.
It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes from start to finish—unless you get distracted by the mango. Then, well…15 minutes, tops.
Top Tips
If you want this mango avocado salad to be at its best, I’ve got just a handful of suggestions to share:
- Use fruit that’s ripe but not mushy. Saves you from a sad, soggy salad.
- Cut everything roughly the same size for perfect bites in every forkful.
- Try a sprinkle of toasted nuts (like pepitas or cashews) if you want crunch.
- Chill for 10 minutes before serving—it actually makes the lime flavor pop.
Variations & Substitutions
Now we get to play around. Say you don’t love cilantro—no problem. Swap it with basil, parsley, or even mint for a totally new twist. If you’re out of mango (I’ve been there), try pineapple or peach. Sometimes I throw in a handful of arugula or baby spinach right in—instantly more filling. Feeling Tex-Mex? Add diced red pepper or black beans for some oomph. Not eating oil? Skip it and just double the lime juice, promise it’ll still be tasty.
One awesome thing? This salad loves a good companion meal. If you want inspiration for other fresh sides, scope out this heart healthy keto avocado almond bread with fresh Mediterranean salad—talk about upgrading your lunch routine.
Craving more mango avocado salad genius? Check out The Best Mango Avocado Salad (Healthy & Nourishing) – My Chef’s … for a slightly spicy kick, or see how the recipe comes together in literally 15 minutes over at 15 Minute Mango Avocado Salad – Urban Farmie. If you’re in the mood for more fresh salad spins, Fresh Mango Salad with Avocado – Connoisseurus Veg has variations you might never have thought of. Trust your taste buds—you can’t lose with this classic combo.