Tropical Mango Delight

Welcome to a world of fresh, vibrant flavors! This incredible Mango Salad is an absolute delight, bursting with juicy fresh fruit, perfectly spiced cinnamon almonds, and drizzled with a creamy, unique cinnamon-yogurt dressing. Prepare to fall in love with this salad, as it promises to be a refreshing and addictive addition to your meal rotation.

The Ultimate Homemade Mango Salad Recipe

The inspiration for this sensational Mango Salad recipe stems from a popular restaurant favorite, specifically Zupas’ Mango Berry Salad. While my husband adores that salad, he always felt there was simply never enough fruit to satisfy his cravings. This sparked my culinary creativity, leading me to develop my own version – one that is generously loaded with an abundance of fresh fruit, just the way we like it.

One of the most rewarding aspects of preparing your own meals is the freedom to customize every single detail to your exact preferences. In our kitchen, that means going all out on the fruit and even doubling up on those irresistible cinnamon almonds. This recipe isn’t just a re-creation; it’s an elevated experience designed to maximize flavor and freshness, offering a deeply satisfying and personalized dining experience.

While this salad shares some similarities with the one found at Zupas, it’s important to note that it’s not an exact replica. The dressing, in particular, is quite distinct, and we’ve become absolutely obsessed with it. Cinnamon might seem like an unusual ingredient for a salad dressing, but its warm, aromatic notes beautifully complement the sweet and tangy fruits, the crispness of the lettuce, and the crunch of the almonds. This unique combination transforms a simple fruit salad into something truly extraordinary, promising a delightful surprise with every forkful.

Crafting the Irresistible Cinnamon-Yogurt Dressing

Let’s dive deeper into what makes this cinnamon-yogurt dressing so special. It’s truly a standout component of this Mango Salad – unique, wonderfully sweet, and utterly crave-able. Beyond its incredible flavor profile, it’s remarkably simple to prepare, requiring just a handful of ingredients: four key items, plus a touch of salt and pepper to perfectly balance the flavors. With such a short ingredient list, the quality and choice of each component become paramount. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dressing shine:

• Mango Yogurt: The foundation of our dressing. I rigorously tested this recipe with numerous yogurt brands and types. While any sweet yogurt that you genuinely enjoy eating plain will work beautifully, our taste testers unanimously favored Chobani’s® Mango Greek Yogurt for its rich, creamy texture and intense mango flavor. If mango yogurt isn’t available, a plain Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of mango puree or extract could be a suitable alternative, adjusting sweetness as needed.
• Ground Cinnamon: This is the star of the show and perhaps the most surprising ingredient in a salad dressing. While it might initially seem like an unconventional choice, the ground cinnamon introduces a warm, comforting depth that beautifully contrasts and complements the vibrant sweetness of the fresh fruit. It also expertly highlights the cinnamon notes in the roasted almonds, creating a cohesive flavor profile throughout the entire salad. Don’t skip it – it’s what makes this dressing truly unforgettable.
• Honey: Essential for adding natural sweetness, ensuring the dressing perfectly balances the tartness of some fruits. This dressing leans towards the sweeter side, which we find delightful, but you have the flexibility to adjust it. Feel free to use a little less honey if you prefer a less sweet dressing, or add a bit more if your chosen yogurt is particularly tart. Maple syrup or agave nectar can also be used as alternatives.
• Mandarin Oranges: The fresh juice from mandarins or clementines is crucial. Its unique balance of tartness and sweetness provides a bright, citrusy lift that regular orange juice often lacks in this specific dressing. The zest also adds an aromatic burst, enhancing the overall freshness. It’s this specific citrus note that cuts through the creaminess of the yogurt and sweetness of the honey, preventing the dressing from being overly rich.
• Salt and Pepper: Just a small pinch of each is all it takes. These seasonings aren’t just for savory dishes; they are flavor enhancers. A hint of salt can actually make sweet flavors pop, while a tiny touch of black pepper adds a subtle, almost imperceptible complexity that rounds out all the other incredible flavors in this Mango Salad dressing.

To prepare the dressing, simply combine all the ingredients in a small blender and process until completely smooth and creamy. Once blended, transfer it to an airtight jar and chill it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the dressing is perfectly cool and refreshing when served. The ease of preparation makes this dressing a fantastic go-to for many fruit-based salads, not just this one!

Essential Toppings for Your Perfect Mango Salad

For this specific Mango Salad recipe, I’ve opted for a straightforward yet incredibly impactful selection of toppings. This ensures the vibrant flavors of the fruit and the unique dressing truly shine. However, don’t miss the next section for a wealth of ideas on how to customize and vary these toppings. Here are the four primary toppings I recommend, along with some quick tips to help you select the freshest and most flavorful fruit:

• Mango: The namesake and star of our salad. I personally find honey mangoes (also known as Ataulfo or yellow mangoes) to be the absolute best choice for this salad due to their superior sweetness and wonderfully creamy texture. However, regular red/green mangoes also work exceptionally well. To determine if a mango is perfectly ripe, gently squeeze the fruit; it should yield slightly to pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. Avoid making this salad until your mango is at its peak ripeness for the most exquisite flavor and texture. If you’re new to preparing mangoes, this quick and helpful visual guide on how to cut a mango will make the process simple.
• Blueberries: These little bursts of flavor add a fantastic sweetness and a beautiful visual contrast. When selecting blueberries, look for berries that are firm to the touch, dry, and plump. While size isn’t necessarily an indicator of maturity or flavor, the color certainly is. Aim for deep purple-blue or even bluish-black blueberries, as these are the ripest and most flavorful. Always rinse them gently before adding them to your salad.
• Strawberries: Offering another layer of sweet-tartness, strawberries are a classic and beloved berry. Choose strawberries that are bright red all over and plump. An important tip: strawberries do not continue to ripen after they’ve been picked, so what you see is truly what you get. Select the brightest, most vibrant berries available to ensure maximum flavor in your salad. Wash them thoroughly and slice them thinly or chop them for easy eating.
• Cinnamon-Roasted Almonds: These provide a crucial textural contrast and a delightful warm spice note that ties in perfectly with the dressing. You have two excellent options here: either make your own at home for a truly gourmet touch, or conveniently pick up a bag at your local grocery store. If buying, remember that candied almonds are typically found with other candied nuts, trail mixes, chips, and popcorn, rather than in the baking aisle where plain nuts reside. Their crunchy, sweet-spiced profile elevates the entire salad, making them an indispensable topping.

Creative Variation Ideas for Your Mango Salad

While the original Mango Salad recipe is fantastic as is, one of its greatest strengths is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with these exciting variations to tailor the salad to your specific tastes or to introduce new flavors and textures:

• Add a diced avocado for an extra layer of creamy richness and a boost of healthy monounsaturated fats. Avocado’s mild, buttery flavor beautifully complements the sweetness of the fruit and the tang of the dressing.
• Sprinkle in some cheese to introduce a savory counterpoint. Crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese are excellent choices, as their salty, tangy notes provide a delightful contrast to the sweet fruits and spicy almonds, elevating the flavor profile.
• Change up the dressing if you’re looking for an alternative or simply want to try something different. If the cinnamon-yogurt dressing isn’t quite your style, a light and tangy poppy seed dressing makes a wonderful substitute. I highly recommend trying the dressing featured in this Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad.
• Swap out the fruit based on seasonality, personal preference, or what you have on hand. Instead of strawberries and blueberries, consider adding juicy blackberries or tart red raspberries. Don’t be shy about introducing other fruits; I’ve personally added thinly sliced kiwi to this salad before and absolutely loved the tropical twist it provided! Pitted cherries or even segments of grapefruit could also be interesting additions.
• Adjust quantities to suit your ideal balance. This particular recipe features a high ratio of fruit to lettuce, which is exactly how I enjoy it – a true celebration of fresh produce! However, if you prefer a more traditional salad where the lettuce plays a more central role, feel free to scale down the amount of fruit and increase the leafy greens. Conversely, for an even fruitier explosion, add more of your favorite berries and mango.

These variations offer endless possibilities, allowing you to enjoy this vibrant Mango Salad in new and exciting ways, making it a staple for any season or occasion.

Explore More Delicious Salad Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the fresh and vibrant flavors of this Mango Salad, you’re in for a treat! We have a collection of other incredible salad recipes that are just as easy to make and equally satisfying. Each features a unique blend of ingredients and a custom-made dressing that will elevate your mealtime. Explore these favorites:

• Chipotle Chicken Salad with a smoky, spicy chipotle dressing for a hearty and flavorful meal.
• Spinach Salad featuring crisp apples, walnuts, and a tangy apple-Dijon dressing, perfect for a light lunch.
• Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad, a delightful combination of sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, and crunchy quick candied almonds, all brought together with a bright poppy seed dressing.
• Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, a wholesome and comforting salad with wild rice and a zesty lemon-balsamic dressing.
• Quinoa Fruit Salad, a tropical delight packed with colorful fruits and a tangy citrus dressing, excellent as a side or light dessert.

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5 from 1 vote

Mango Salad

By Chelsea Lords

Get hooked on this vibrant Mango Salad! It’s packed with fresh fruit, cinnamon almonds, and a creamy cinnamon-yogurt dressing—so good!

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
30 minutes

Servings:
4 servings

Equipment

• Small blender

Ingredients

• 8 cups spring mix lettuce blend 5 ounces, or your favorite salad greens
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup peeled and diced honey mango 2 mangoes
• 1 cup thinly sliced strawberries or chopped
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cinnamon-roasted almonds

Dressing

• 1/4 cup mango yogurt I love Chobani’s mango yogurt
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 2 clementine oranges 1/2 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Dressing: Stir the mango yogurt well; measure out 1/4 cup and add to a small blender. Add in the honey, 1/2 teaspoon clementine zest, 2 tablespoons clementine juice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, then transfer to a jar and store in the fridge until ready to use.
2. Salad: Add lettuce to a large bowl. Top with blueberries, strawberries, and mango. Add in the almonds. Drizzle the dressing (see note 1) over the salad. You may not want all the dressing, so add to personal preference. Toss and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Storage: Once dressed, Mango Salad should be eaten right away. The dressing wilts the lettuce and softens the berries, so only dress what you’ll eat that day. Store the dressing and salad components separately.

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcal |
Carbohydrates: 70g |
Protein: 11g |
Fat: 7g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 1mg |
Sodium: 138mg |
Potassium: 1226mg |
Fiber: 5g |
Sugar: 47g |
Vitamin A: 6359IU |
Vitamin C: 184mg |
Calcium: 143mg |
Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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