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Mango Kale Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing. This loaded chopped salad bowl is a mix of sweet mango, kale, cucumbers, bell peppers, and creamy avocado. Add some firey tanginess with a creamy cilantro lime vinaigrette. Sprinkle on some toasted sunflower seeds to add a nice crunch with every bite. This vegan kale salad recipe is sure to become a new warm-weather go-to. It’s no-cook, fast, easy to toss together, vegan, and totally delicious!
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Just like clockwork, we have a few nice days of warm weather and sunshine and I’m making big salads full of color, flavor, and texture. This kale mango salad is something I could eat daily. It’s got so many of my favorite things…mango, avocado, and tons of cilantro.
It’s very Mexican-inspired with a touch of Thai flare and oh so delicious.
I’ve wanted to make a mango salad for a long time. Sure, I make salads with mango all the time. But this time I really wanted the mango to be the star. So I threw together a pretty chopped salad that’s perfect for spring and the upcoming summer days.
I drew inspiration from my brother, Brendan. He’s always telling me about all these salads he and Lynd’s make when they’re home. Typically Lynd’s doesn’t like fruit in her salad, but Brendan is a huge mango fan and he’s always adding them to dishes.
He told me about a summery mango salad he makes and it sounded delicious. Almost like a mango-corn salad, but with the addition of kale leaves to make it a little heartier.
Here are the quick details
So this may just be one of my fastest, easiest recipes yet. Which I feel is a good thing with lazy summer days ahead. These are the recipes we need right now!
Toss the kale, some cabbage, lots of sweet mango, cucumbers, bell peppers, and grilled corn in a large bowl. I actually like to use a large mixing bowl. Having something big really helps when tossing and getting all of those greens coated in the dressing.
For the dressing, simply combine everything in a food processor and you’re done. Absolutely so straightforward and nothing to it. In my book, the dressing is the best part. It’s a mix of cilantro, a small amount of Thai basil, jalapeños, lots of lime, ginger, oil, and then tahini to make it just perfectly creamy.
Last but not least, I add tajin (to taste), which isn’t needed but is delicious.
The dressing is spicy, tangy, and creamy with a perfect amount of ginger for a little kick. Honestly, it’s addicting and can be used in many other recipes.
And that’s it. Top with avocado and toasted sunflower seeds, then enjoy! The added bonus is that everything in this salad keeps really well. It’s great for meal prep and leftover lunch the following day.
It’s also delicious wrapped up in a tortilla and enjoyed with tortilla chips. Yummm!
Looking for other fresh recipes? Here are my favorites:
Peanut Chicken Spring Roll Bowls
Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl.
Weeknight Peanut Chicken with Spicy Lime Mango
Lastly, if you make this Mango Kale Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Mango Kale Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups shredded kale
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 2 mangos, diced
- 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 1-2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup grilled or roasted corn
- 1-2 avocados, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 2 cups fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup Thai basil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup tahini
- tajin, to taste (optional), (I use about 2 teaspoons)
Instructions
- 1. In a salad bowl, combine the kale, cabbage, mango, cucumbers, bell peppers, and corn.2. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until combined and creamy. Taste and season with tajin, salt, and pepper. 3. Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss well to combine. Top with avocado and sunflower seeds.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I love seeing your seasonal, fresh recipes! This salad did NOT disappoint, as usual. I don’t know where to find Thai basil, but regular basil was a great substitute. I also paired it with chicken sautéed in red curry paste and garlic. I definitely have plenty for left overs and this would be great to bring to a summer bbq!
Hi Autumn,
Happy Friday! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and trying this recipe out! Love to hear that it was enjoyed:) xxTieghan
Can I use regular basil if I can’t find Thai basil?
Debbie, that’s exactly what I did and it was delicious!
Hi Debbie,
Totally, that would be just fine for you to use! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This salad is unique and I enjoyed it. Prep time borders on 40 min if you don’t have all your ingredients ready to toss, but I actually advise making this salad earlier in the day and letting the dressing soften the kale a bit, then toss with avocado and seeds. The dressing is tangy and can be a bit sharp combined with the kale. The sweet mango and avocado hit the right notes with all the acidity.
The sharpness of the dressing (possibly) explained: The recipe calls for EVOO, but Thiegan used HONEY on her Insta story, not EVOO. I’ll have to try this one again 🙂
Hey there,
Happy Friday! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and trying this recipe out! Love to hear that it was enjoyed:) xxTieghan
Hi there. Sounds amazing! Any suggestions for replacing the cilantro? I just can’t!
Hi Jan,
Parsley or basil would also work well for you! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Any substitutes for people who hate cilantro?
Hey Jessica,
Basil or parsley would also be great! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Nice salad. Surprising tastes with the corn.
Hi Marineh,
Fantastic!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This was sooo delicious!!! Will definitely make again!! 10/10!!!
Hi Meghan,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
This salad is a big hit at my house, I will make it over and over again. Thank you Tieghan.
Hey Ronit,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try!! xTieghan
This was amazing! Do u think I can make the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge?
Hey Kristine,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed, we appreciate the feedback! Totally, the dressing will be good in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was amazing!! Only issue was the dressing was a bit bitter. Not sure what happened. Threw in some honey and that did the trick! Will definitely be sharing this recipe with family and friends!
Hey Diane,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed, we appreciate the feedback! xTieghan
Absolutely loved this salad! So utterly bright and refreshing. This will become a mainstay this summer… thank you!
Hey Karen,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xT
SO GOOD! I subbed cashew butter for tahini because I have a sensitivity to sesame seeds and it worked perfectly. This salad is so fresh and perfect for warmer weather. I love it as an entree and can’t wait to bring it as a side for summer dinner parties with friends!
I forgot! I also pre-massaged the kale with oil and lemon juice the night before so it was a little softer and more accepted the dressing and all the toppings better. (Tough kale is the worst!).
Great idea!!
Hey Madeleine,
Thanks for your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out! xTieghan
I want to save this to my recipe box, but the save button is not working.
Hey Elizabeth,
Sorry to hear you are having issues, the save button is working on our end, could you give it another try? xTieghan
I made this salad last Sunday for dinner. Paired it with ribeye steak. This salad is a bomb. It was sooooooo delicious! The flavors of the mango, avocado and grilled corn gives that umami flavor when mixed the cilantro-lime dressing. Everyone who loves Tieghan and truly follows her in IG and has her cookbooks, you all ought to try this recipe. 🙂
Hey Elanie,
Thanks for your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out! xTieghan
Thai basil is not something at my regular store. How different would regular basil effect the dressing ?
Hey Cindy,
Regular basil would be just fine to use. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx