This homemade mango vinaigrette is a fresh Caribbean-inspired salad dressing that brings sweet mango and fresh herbs together in a smooth, vibrant blend. Drizzle it over a crisp salad, grilled chicken, salmon, or roasted veggies to add a bright burst of flavor to any meal.
Mango Vinaigrette Dressing
During late spring, mangoes become a huge part of my diet. When mangoes are fresh and at their peak, they’re everywhere and my local supermarket practically gives them away. I usually blend them into a quick mango vinaigrette with ripe mangoes and citrus juices, and it becomes my go-to dressing until mango season is over.
Why You’ll Love this Mango Salad Dressing
- Quick & Easy: Made with simple ingredients and a blender or food processor, this homemade mango salad dressing comes together in about 5 minutes. As the oil blends in, the dressing begins to emulsify and turns silky smooth.
- Better Than Store-Bought: Making salad dressing from scratch means you know exactly what’s going into it. Instead of preservatives or unnecessary additives, this recipe gets its lightly sweet tropical taste from fresh mango.
- Versatile: This creamy mango vinaigrette adds bright flavor to more than just salads. Drizzle it over grilled salmon, chicken, grain bowls, or roasted veggies when your usual dressing starts to feel a little routine.
When Are Mangoes in Season
Mangoes are typically in season during late spring and summer (May–September), when they are at their sweetest and most flavorful. This is when fresh mangoes are easiest to find in grocery stores and markets, making it the perfect time to blend them into this homemade mango dressing.
If fresh mangoes aren’t available, frozen mango chunks work well too. Just thaw them before blending so the dressing stays smooth and creamy.
Ingredients for Mango Vinaigrette
This mango vinaigrette comes together with a handful of fresh ingredients that blend into a smooth, lightly sweet dressing with bright citrus and herb flavor.
- Mango Chunks: You can use fresh or frozen (and defrosted) mango chunks for this recipe.
- Avocado Oil: Oil adds a smooth, velvety texture to the vinaigrette, giving it body and thickness. It’s also essential for creating an emulsion in the vinaigrette.
- Cilantro: Cilantro gives the recipe a bit of brightness. If you are not a cilantro fan, you can easily swap it for Italian parsley.
- Scallion: Scallions give this dressing a mild onion flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a sharp, pungent, savory flavor.
- Lime Juice: This adds a bit of tanginess to the dressing, that brightens up the mango flavor.
- Maple Syrup: A bit of maple syrup adds a bit of sweetness to the dressing.
- Freshly cracked black pepper and salt: Add to taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Mango Salad Dressing
It doesn’t get any easier than this! This mango vinaigrette was so easy to put together and the flavors were bright and fresh. Just add everything (except the avocado oil) to a food processor. Cover and blend.
Then drizzle in the avocado oil until it emulsifies and becomes creamy.
That’s it. If you don’t have a food processor you can add everything to a blender or smoothie blender cup and blend until smooth.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 3 days. Shake vigorously before using.
Recipe Variations
- Add Some Heat: Blend in finely chopped jalapeño or a wiri wiri pepper for a spicy twist that pairs especially well with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tacos.
- Try Lemon Instead of Lime: Swap the lime juice for lemon juice and add a little lemon zest for a brighter citrus flavor that slightly changes the profile of the dressing.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer not to use maple syrup, blend in a soft date for natural sweetness. Honey or another liquid sweetener works well too.
- Make It Creamy: Blend in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or a little ripe avocado to create a thicker, creamier mango salad dressing that works well on grain bowls or heartier salads.
How to Use This Mango Dressing
This bright mango dressing pairs well with seafood, grilled meats, and fresh salads. Try it with one of these recipes:
- Grilled Salmon: Drizzle it over my grilled salmon for a fresh, slightly sweet contrast to the smoky fish.
- Cabbage and Mango Slaw: Toss it with this crunchy slaw for a light, tropical side dish.
- Jerk Chicken Salad: The sweet mango flavor balances the heat and spices in this jerk chicken salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vinaigrette dressing is made with a mixture of oil, vinegar (such as balsamic, red wine, or white wine vinegar), an emulsifier (i.e., mustard, honey, mayo), and various spices and seasoning.
Yes, mango vinaigrette can be a healthy salad dressing, especially when it’s made at home with fresh ingredients. This recipe uses ripe mango for natural sweetness, lime juice for acidity, and avocado oil for healthy fats instead of preservatives or refined sugars often found in store-bought dressings.
Salad dressing is a broader term that encompasses a wide variety of dressings used to enhance the flavors of salads. While vinaigrettes are a type of salad dressing, not all salad dressings are vinaigrettes. Salad dressings can be creamy, emulsified mixtures or thicker, chunky sauces whereas vinaigrettes are dressings made by emulsifying oil and vinegar (or another acid) with additional seasonings.
Mango Salad Dressing
Equipment
- Food Processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup Cilantro (leaves and stems)
- 2 scallions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 limes (juiced or about 2 tablespoons lime juice)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked)
- 1/2 cup Avocado Oil
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients, except the avocado oil, to food processor. Blend until smooth, then with the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the avocado oil until the dressing is creamy.
- Alternatively, you can add all of the ingredients to a blender or smoothie blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Nutrition
The information listed in the recipe card is an estimate provided by an online nutrition tool. The tool evaluates ingredient names and amounts then makes calculations based on the number of servings listed for the recipe. It is provided as a general guideline and not as a precise calculation. For precise nutrition information please feel free to add the ingredients to your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a doctor or licensed nutritionist.
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