Mango Salad with Rhubarb Ginger Dressing & Chili Almonds

Created by Laura Wright
No ratings yet

Lightly sweet mango salad with tart rhubarb ginger dressing is a refreshing spring recipe. Crunchy chili almonds add texture and spice.

mango salad with rhubarb ginger dressing + chili almonds // the first mess
mango salad with rhubarb ginger dressing + chili almonds // the first mess
rhubarb // the first mess
mangoes // the first mess


It is surprisingly hard to make a house feel like a home. I’ve been cooking more and actually using our kitchen, which has been helpful. We inadvertently had our first dinner guest last weekend–a friend of both of ours that I ran into randomly. We had plans for curry and there was a fresh case of beer in the fridge, so it was one of those last minute “Why not?” kind of things that feels easy to say yes to in the waning hours of a sunny weekend afternoon.

So with that, my family’s coming by this weekend for another little dinner. I’m excited to make them a bunch of things I know they’ll love. There’ll be chocolate cream pie, some kind of panzanella, lots of vegetables, salt and vinegar grilled potatoes–all the good things. My mum is here all the time helping me with any given project, so it’ll be nice to see her just sitting and relaxing at my table with a plate of food for once.

So yeah! Looking forward to that lovely meal with my fingers crossed that the sun will shine. I’ve been craving fruit and having it with almost every meal lately. Maybe it’s those warmer temperatures? So this salad sprang to my mind.

One of the better crumbles I’ve ever made featured a combination of rhubarb and mango (with coconut in the topping). It was great because the mango is a natural sweet answer to the sour, but it also has a fragrant, nectarous vibe that meshes seamlessly with rhubarb. So I was thinking of that and some other flavours I like with rhubarb–lime, ginger, almond etc–and thought that a mango salad with all of that going on might be just right. A few slices of kale, radish, mint and chives push this salad a little bit more into savoury land. Anyway, hoping this salad will make you think twice on that old strawberry and rhubarb routine :)

mango // the first mess
chives, rhubarb ginger dressing, mango peels // the first mess
mango salad with rhubarb ginger dressing + chili almonds // the first mess

Mango Salad with Rhubarb Ginger Dressing & Chili Almonds

Lightly sweet mango salad with tart rhubarb ginger dressing is a refreshing spring recipe. Crunchy chili almonds add texture and spice.
No ratings yet
Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

Rhubarb Ginger Dressing

  • 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb, pink parts only
  • 1/2 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • juice of 1 lime plus a bit of zest
  • 1-2 tsp maple syrup/agave nectar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt + pepper

Chili Almonds

  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • salt

Salad Assembly

  • 4 just-ripe mangos, peeled
  • 5-6 leaves of kale, shredded/finely sliced
  • handful of chives, chopped
  • handful of mint leaves, chopped
  • 1 large or 3 small radishes, thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Heat the coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the rhubarb to the pan and toss it around a bit. Slowly sauté the rhubarb until it’s quite soft and cooked through. Transfer to a blender pitcher. Throw the ginger, lime juice/zest, maple syrup, olive oil, salt and pepper into the blender as well. Blend the mixture until you have a smooth, thick dressing. Taste it and check for seasoning, adjust if necessary, and set aside.
  • Toast the almonds in a dry pan over medium heat. Once they have a bit of colour and aroma happening, quickly dump them onto a cutting board and chop them up while they’re still warm. Once chopped, quickly toss them with the chili powder and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Cut the mangos away from their pits and then proceed to slice them/cut the edible fruit into matchsticks. Toss the cut mango into a large bowl. To the bowl, also add the a sliced kale, chives, mint and sliced radishes. Pour the rhubarb ginger dressing over top and toss it all together. Garnish the salad with the chili almonds and serve.
08/05/2014 (Last Updated 15/01/2025)
Posted in: gluten free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, salad, salty, side dish, sour, spicy, spring, sweet, vegan

41 comments

Recipe Rating





  • lisa d

    I want a video of you julienning those very type, peeled mangoes.

  • Laren

    Just made this for a bunch of carnivores and it was the hit of the BBQ. I was able to use the chives, mint, kale, rhubarb, and radishes from my garden, which was a huge win for me. Thank you for such an inspired recipe!!

  • Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky

    They looked soooo good, I had to try and make them. I used your suggestion and used 1/2 tbsp coconut oil. Thx for sharing!

  • Halli Welsh

    Mmm, thank you for providing such beautiful, delicious, and inspiring recipes! This will be perfect for an early summer BBQ I’m having tomorrow.

  • Amy

    LOVE this idea on how to deal with mangoes…I find them so frustrating to chop up, but with a handy vegetable peeler, this is a great solution!

  • Jessie

    This looks incredible! I’ve been searching for a great mango salad recipe ever since having been wowed by one at a dinner party a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to make this. Thanks!

  • hannah

    Thank you so much for replying Laura! :) Just lettin you know I made this and LOVED it – I had some black rice and asparagus and that worked nicely!
    Would you ever consider doing a video or a step-by-step photo guide?I got really nervous about how long to cook the rhubard for and what it should look/taste like and how much maple syrup to add seeing as I knew the dressing would go on sweet mango. I’d love to see you in the kitchen and how you go about assembling these crazy good recipes! Also would love to see how you slice the mango so beautifully!
    I follow you on instagram and I’d LOVE to see you write up some of your green smoothie recipes! Seeing as this salad basically IS my green smoothie recipe (mango, kale, lime, almond, ginger) I’m not sure I would eat it alongside one! Would love to know your recipes!

    Oh and here’s that salad: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/may/30/yotam-ottolenghi-vegetarian-rice-salad

    h xxx

  • Ashlae

    I made a janky ass version of this for breakfast this morning (spinach instead of kale, strawberries instead of rhubarb, etc.) and my belly is hella satisfied and happy. Stoked your house is finally starting to feel like a home – I think you should do a little house update, just sayin’. ;) xx

  • dederka

    I know what you mean with that house to home thing, i’ve lived in my current place for the past 8 months more or less and it still doesn’t always feel right. The first thing to normally put the blame on is a low budget of a student but then a carpet is just a thing, and having friends over and making some happy memories should go further in cosy-fying the place. Something to keep in mind this week.

    Thank you for a wonderful, creative recipe, which I’ll give a go as soon as I spot rhubarb. Not such a common good here in Milan.

    Have a nice day Laura!

  • Robyn

    I made this salad last night for our first barbecue of the season. Huge, huge hit, especially among the discerning and (at barbecues) often underserved vegetarian contingent. That rhubarb lime dressing is completely fabulous, and I’ll be making it as long as rhubarbs are around this season.

    For my taste–I might leave out the mint next time. I also added a bit of parsley, which did the trick for me.

  • ATasteOfMadness

    This is gorgeous! I love mango, this is calling my name!

  • abby - little city adventures

    This looks like the PERFECT summer side dish! I’ll so have to make this for our next cook-out!

  • ami@naivecookcooks

    I love love mangoes and this salad looks so good!

  • Liz @ Floating Kitchen

    Gorgeous salad! Glad you are getting settled in :-).

  • Laura Dembowski

    What a beautiful and unique salad! I can’t wait to try it to mix up dinner a litle.

  • Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

    What an unusual combo, but I love hearing how you came to that logical conclusion! It looks lovely. I am sure your mother knows how lucky she is to have a daughter like you. What a great idea for a meal. Enjoy!

  • Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

    What an unusual combo but I love your logic on how you came up with the concept. Your mom is so lucky to have a daughter like you. Great recipe.

  • Heather

    I completely agree. A home isn’t a home until you’ve had a good cry and spilt a glass of wine on the carpet. I am so looking forward to those summer bbq’s and late night beer drinking with my peeps, but as it stands, my house looks like a disaster zone. So happy that you’re starting to find your happy place in your sweet home.

  • Jacqui

    Loving the sound of this!!

  • la domestique

    Absolutely gorgeous salad! I can’t wait to make this. Maybe you can’t make a house into a home– it happens naturally over time. I do think gathering with friends and family for meals at the kitchen table helps, though. Enjoy the family time!

  • Marcella

    This salad looks so elegant! Need to try it.

  • Eileen

    This salad sounds amazing! I love the idea of making rhubarb into a dressing–so tangy and awesome. And I bet it’s perfect with sweet mango and spicy almonds!

  • Rosie @The Porridge Pot

    Rhubarb in a dressing sounds incredible, such a good idea!

  • Hannah

    Mmmm I cannot wait to make this. I’m totally obsessed mango at the moment and in love with ottolenghis (one with red rice, coconut, herbs and peanuts and delicious). Can’t wait to try this, what did you serve it with?

    Hope you enjoy some lovely time with your mum, Mother’s Day was in March in the uk and I went to Amsterdam with her for a weekend away and was reminded how much I value her and her steady prescience in times of turmoil.

    • Laura Wright

      Hi Hannah! I just made up the big bowl of it and ate it for lunch over a couple days with a green smoothie and a bit of rice. That dish from Ottolenghi sounds amazing! Thanks for your kind note :)
      -L

  • Mila

    Wow what an awesome combo! I’ve been looking for new ways to use rhubarb- thanks!

  • Molly O

    Wondering if the dressing would work with green rhubarb? It’s all I have at the moment but the flavor combo sounds really intriguing.

    • Laura Wright

      Hi Molly, If your green rhubarb has a similar flavour to the pink stalks, I say it’s worth trying. It might be a bit more fibrous, so could benefit from a little bit more cooking time.
      -L

  • Amy @ Parsley In My Teeth

    I think the combination of mango, ginger, coconut and rhubarb sounds amazing. Very creative! Can’t wait to give it a try.

  • Erika

    This is just so lovely.. I am in love with that rhubarb ginger dressing:.

  • lynsey

    I must have channeled you this week as I was feeling the rhubarb/ginger thing but only in scone form with a hint of orange and lots of oats. Agree with Molly… the colours are amazing. xo

  • Ashley

    Completely + 100% can relate about “a house becoming a home.” It really didn’t happen for us until we finally had furniture on our main floor. It’s the first time we’ve really gotten furniture that we LOVE and feels like US and it was so worth it. I would say it feels like 85% a home. I think organization is a big key to it as well. My office feels sort of haphazard still with not the best storage/filing system and a giant dog cage. Also, hanging things on the walls! We have yet to do this, I think because like the furniture we want it to be more thought out this time around. Anyway, it’s more than good enough for now and feels all cozy and cute and we love it. Two more things: I want to come hang out with you + your mom. And, rhubarb + mango!!!! Brilliant! xo

  • molly yeh

    i love how colorful your food always is!!!! and a dinner party with panzanella?! can i come? pleeeeeeze?

  • Olivia | Olive Oil Sweet Pea

    This looks like an amazing meal! Loving the way your use rhubarb in the dressing, such a thoughtful recipe! Thanks for keeping the inspiration coming, always a treat to see what you are throwing together.

  • The naked fig

    This looks so delicious. Never would have thought to combine mango and rhubarb but I bet they’re perfect together!

  • Lauren S

    this sounds deliciously gorgeous ! will be giving this a try out. love healthy recipes, i have a few on my blog too :)
    Lauren x

  • Sini | my blue&white kitchen

    It really is a challenge to make a house or an apartment feel like home but like you, I think the answer really is through making food and having friends and family gathering for dinner. Maybe it’s really about filling the home with memories. With moments. Moments of joy and happiness, laughter.

    This mango salad is stunning! Never would I have come up with an idea like this myself but, as I imagine the flavors in my head, they make a wonderful, harmonious flavor combination. As soon as I stumble upon perfectly ripe mangos (not always that easy here in Finland), I’ll remember this recipe, whip up a salad, and create lovely memories.

  • Emi Kirschner

    Wow! This looks just amazing. I can taste it already. Your recipes are wonderfully inspiring.

  • Elizabetheats

    woah. buying mangos asap!!

  • Katie @ Whole Nourishment

    This rhubarb-ginger dressing is a fantastic idea, and I can picture how the mango, chili almond, and rhubarb flavors come together in this salad. Agreed, having friends and family over for dinners makes the house feel more like a loved and lived-in home.

  • Giada

    This really calls my name! I love mango and I’m all about fruit lately so I’ll give it a try for sure, thanks for sharing! Also, good luck with your family dinner!