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Celebrate mango season with this collection of the very best mango recipes from around the world! From sticky mango ribs to creamy mousse, they’re sweet, savoury and spicy! Many of them don’t even require cooking!
With these mango appetizers, mains and desserts from Australia to Vietnam, you’re sure to find a new and exciting way to enjoy this delicious tropical fruit.
Best Types of Mangoes to Use
It’s important to use the right kind of mango for the recipe you choose. If you’re confused by all the mango varieties you see in the market, you’re not alone.
One thing I discovered at the Mango Festival in Nevis is that there are more than 1,000 varieties of mangos in the world!
Mangoes are found throughout Asia, the Caribbean and Latin and South America. Each region has their own favourite variety of mango and local recipe.
In Mexico, Guatemala and the rest of Latin America, the most common varieties are the Ataulfo and the Manilita, both of which are descended from the Manila mango from the Philippines.
They were brought to Mexico in the 1600s on the sailing ships during the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco.
Ataulfo mangos are often the best mangoes to use in recipes. This type of mango has a flattened oval shape, firm yellow flesh and a soft, sweet inner pulp with few fibers that makes it ideal for smoothies, mango margaritas and desserts.
It’s the most popular mango to use when making conserva de mango (mango compote), a traditional Guatemalan dessert that’s similar to Greek spoon sweets.
If you’re shopping for mangos in the United States, note that the Ataulfo mango may also be known as the honey mango.
Haden mangoes are also good mangoes to use in recipes. Not only are they larger than ataulfo mangoes but they’re firmer.
That makes them easier to peel and slice.
However, you can often use frozen mangoes if fresh mangoes aren’t available. Check the recipe to be sure.
How to Prepare Mangos to Use in a Recipe
There are almost as many methods of cutting mangoes as there are varieties of fruit. As someone who has chopped more mangoes than I can count, there’s no secret trick to peeling a mango.
The best way to slice and prepare a mango for a recipe is to:
- Place the washed but unpeeled mango on a wooden or other non-slip surface.
- Hold it firmly with one hand.
- Using a sharp knife, slice through the skin at the top of the mango.
- Slice downward as closely as possible to the long, flat seed (known as a gutil) in the middle of the fruit until the knife reaches the bottom of the mango.
- Turn the mango and repeat the cut on the other side of the fruit.
- You should now have two halves plus a leftover seed.
- Cut into each half diagonally from the non-peel side and then crosswise. Scoop out the cubes.
- Discard the seed and use the cubes in the recipe.
🌟 Pro Tip: Mango trees (Mangifera indica) are a member of the sumac or anacardiaceae family, a family that also includes pistachio, cashew and poison ivy. If you are allergic to the organic compound of urushiol in poison ivy or cashews, you may also be allergic to mango fruit.
Most of the allergenic properties are found in the peel of the fruit, especially near the stem. To avoid getting a rash, it’s wise to wear gloves.
Nutritional Benefits of Mango Fruit
Not only are mangoes super delicious but they’re one of the world’s healthiest fruits.
Packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium and anti-oxidants, their sweet, creamy texture is a treat you can feel good about indulging in this vitamin-rich fruit.
So, go ahead, celebrate mango season by making a batch of mango recipes at the same time.
Many of these mango recipes freeze beautifully.
33 Best Mango Recipes from Around the World
This hearty Jamaican-inspired one-pot stew features shredded chicken thighs and butternut squash in coconut curry broth with rum and mango .
Enjoy a fresh take on the classic French dessert with this modern Dairy-Free Mango Crème Brûlée that is naturally gluten-free, lactose-free, coconut-based and Paleo-friendly.
A chilled mango and tapioca pudding from Australia. Mangoes are loved by Aussies and grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the land down under.
Pickled Mango, known as Amba in the Middle East, is sweet and tangy pickle served on the side with sandwiches or falafel.
A mango smoothie is the perfect way to start the day! This recipe features matcha ( the green tea powder from China) and mango is delicious perfection.
Inspired by a treat discovered in Maui, Hawaii, this Mango Brown Sugar Bread is a perfectly sweet quick bread. Bursting with mango and brown sugar flavours, it’s a delicious mango recipe.
Sweet, spicy and sour, this delicious Mango Curry is a Sri Lankan classic and favorite. Simple to make and packed with a great depth of flavor, like any good curry. Perfect dish to use up seasonal mangoes that are slightly underripe.
This tropical strawberry mango lemonade is the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail for celebrating summer! It captures the easy-going spirit of the season with its five simple ingredients and mix of fresh flavours.
A classic Southeast Asian dessert! Yummy sticky rice smothered with creamy sweet coconut sauce, then paired with sweet, juicy fresh mangos. This mango recipe is super easy to make as well!
For a delicious mango dessert you can't go wrong with Mango Kuchen. This coffee cake from southern India features fresh mango slices and touch of cardamom.
Everyone loves a creamy mango mousse. Aamrakhand is a delicious and fluffy Indian mousse made with yogurt and mango.
How about a tasty curry made with mangoes, aromatic spices and coconut milk? Sweet, spicy and creamy flavors make this Indian curry a favourite. It's vegan and gluten-free too!
Inspired by a popular dessert in San Diego, California , this Mango Tart uses fresh, ripe mangos and coconut cream to make a delicious dessert that’s gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, refined sugar-free, and vegan!
Looking for a fresh flavor to try out on your homemade kombucha? This Mango Kombucha recipe is easy to brew and makes for a perfect balance between sweet and tart!
Classic American ribs with the tropical fusion of fresh mango, soy sauce and sesame. These sticky, sweet and savoury ribs are a definite crowd pleaer.
Chicken salad gets a flavour boost in this colourful mixed fruit salad featuring curried chicken made with coconut and macadamia nuts.
This is a South American breakfast dish made with a few ingredients. It is creamy, healthy and so refreshing! It brings the tropics to your mouth!
An Italian classic goes tropical in this creamy coconut panna cotta topped with sun-drenched mango. This healthy treat features a base of sweet dates and walnuts.
Scones may have originated in Ireland but these delicious bites boast plenty of tropical flair thanks to sweet chunks of fresh mango. Blackberries add an extra boost of colour and flavour in these delicious breakfast treats.
This delicious salmon dish is Jamaican Jerk inspired and Whole30 (no sugar) friendly!
Enjoy a taste of Hawaii with these fluffy Hawaiian Mango Muffins. They're also super easy to make and freeze beautifully!
This easy, no-bake mango mousse pie is creamy and not too heavy. Enjoy it as a bright finish to any meal or a special occasion dessert.
Mango Royale Icebox Cake is variation on a popular Filipino dessert called Crema de Fruta. This quick and easy dessert is simply made with graham crackers, whipped cream, and fresh mangoes.
Enjoy this refreshing mango and black bean salsa on grilled chicken, on fish tacos or as an appetizer with tacos chips. It's as versatile as it is delicious!
A must-try staple at Indian and Pakistani restaurants around the world! Mango Lassi is, in essence, a mango and yoghurt smoothie. Refreshing, tasty, and great for your stomach. Have it on its own or just after a meal. Besides, it only takes five minutes to make!
This delightful and slightly spicy mango salad from Vietnam uses mint, red onion, chili, and a sour-savory dressing for a refreshing and tantalizing salad. Top with crushed peanuts for even more deliciousness!
Mastani is Pune’s popular drink recipe. This is nothing but the thick milkshake in this mango milkshake topped with ice cream, nuts, tutti frutti and cherry.
Easy Spicy Mango Chutney is a fusion of beautiful sweet mango, Indian spices, ginger, garlic and red chilli. Bursting with flavour and the perfect accompaniment to curries, cold meats and cheese – this delicious mango chutney really packs a punch!
Mango graham cake is a popular dessert in the Philippines. Also called mango float, it’s cold, sweet and so easy to make. Just layer graham crackers, sweetened cream, mangoes and enjoy.
Perfect for a summer barbecue or fiesta, this sparkling mango cocktail inspired by a classic in Los Cabos, Mexico is super light and refreshing.
These tropical popsicles packed with mango and coconut are a refreshing summer treat!
You'll love the light, bright flavours of this mango coconut fried rice. It's made with tofu, peppers and creamy coconut milk - delish!
This easy make-ahead breakfast features fresh mangos and other delicious fruit. It's perfect for Mother's Day, Sunday brunch and holiday breakfasts.
What to Serve with These Mango Recipes:
- Grilled Steak in Beer Marinade with Salsa Fresca
- Guatemalan Watercress Fritters
- Black Beans and Rice – Arroz Negro
- Fresh and Easy Guatemalan Guacamole
FAQs
From spicy appetizers to sweet desserts, there’s a wide range of dishes such as chutneys, salsas, curries, mousses, cakes and glazes for ribs that can be made from mango. Check out these 29 mango recipes from around the world for inspiration!
Tropical flavours such as coconut and pineapple naturally pair well with mango. But spicy chiles such as jalapeño, earthy textures such as black beans and smoky barbecued meats also complement the sweet taste of fresh mango.
Conserva de Mango (Guatemalan Mango Compote)
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
- 6 mangoes medium-ripe, ataulfo variety
- 1 cup panela raw sugarcane (rapadura) broken into pieces
- 2 cups water
- 1 stick cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash and peel the whole mangoes. Discard the peel.
- Mix the water, cinnamon stick and panela (crumbled) in a large pot. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Bring the sugar mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes.
- Slowly add the peeled mangoes into the syrup. Continue to simmer over low heat for 15 minutes or until softened.
- Remove the mangoes from the syrup with a slotted spoon. Place three in each bowl and drizzle with extra syrup. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- Traditionally this is a very sweet dessert. You can vary the sweetness by using less panela sugar but the syrup will be more watery and less syrupy.
- Popular variations of conserva de mango include star anise, allspice and/or cloves.
- You could substitute peeled peaches or nectarines for the mangoes.
- Stir the syrup regularly to avoid scorching the sugar.
Nutrition
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
Read more about Michele Peterson.
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Denise Browning
Hi Michele! Thank you for including my mango lime smoothie among these delicious mango recipes. They are all so mouthwatering. I am sharing it!
Camilla Hawkins
Loving all these mango recipes! Thank you for including my chutney!