Mango Salad with Lentils at the Table

Overhead image of a bowl of lentil mango salad with a spoon on the side and a lemon wedge on top.

This Lentil Mango Salad recipe is the finest way to take advantage of a variety of fresh produce for an explosion of tastes and textures you’ll love! Made with sweet mangoes, crisp veggies, and hearty lentils, this salad is elevated to perfection with a warm spiced tahini dressing. It’s a satisfying salad that’s ready in just minutes.

Overhead image of a bowl of lentil mango salad with a spoon on the side. — Enjoy this mango lentil salad as a main course or side dish.

Reasons Why This Mango Salad is Magnificent

If you didn’t already know, we’re passionate about disproving the myth that healthy salads have to be bland and boring. We may be biased, but with recipes like our rainbow salad, balela salad, and this southwest chicken salad, we think we’re off to a great start.

That said, with summer produce coming into season, we knew we had to take advantage of all the mouthwatering produce with new drool-worthy salad recipes! Crisp, juicy, and full of nutrients, this mango lentil salad hits the spot.

Here are a few reasons why we know you’ll love it as much as we do:

It’s full of vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and complex carbs to keep you full.
It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegetarian.
You can serve it on its own or enjoy it as a side dish.
It comes together in minutes.
Leftovers can be stored and enjoyed for several days.

How to Pick the Finest Mango

The key to making an absolutely crave-worthy mango salad recipe is to pick the reliable mangoes. Keep reading to learn how to pick a ripe mango, but we’ll break down the key points for you below.

They should be firm but give slightly when squeezed.
Color is not a reliable indicator of flavor or freshness.
Ripe mangoes should have a pleasant, fruity smell.

How to Cut and Slice Fresh Mangoes

If you’ve never cut into a mango, it can be a little intimidating. However, with a few simple steps, it’s simple to do!

Take a look at videos and images of how to slice a mango, and follow the steps below.

Slice off each side, just missing the pit.
Slice vertical lines or a grid into the flesh of each piece. Be careful not to break the skin!
Use a spoon to scoop out the fruit, and enjoy.

A serving spoon lifting a scoop of lentil mango salad from a bowl. — Toss all of the ingredients well, ensuring they’re completely coated with the dresing.

What Goes Well with Mangoes? Ingredients You’ll Need

Tasty on its own, mango is a super versatile fruit and can be paired with a wide variety of ingredients. As a result, there are endless different lentil salad recipes.

In our take on this dish, we grabbed a bunch of fresh ingredients and gave them a toss with a from-scratch dressing for a speedy recipe that’s a breeze to put together. Here’s the rundown of everything you’ll need:

For the Lentil Salad

Brown Lentils – We prefer brown lentils, but any type of lentils you like finest can be substituted. You can even opt for canned lentils. Just be sure to use a low-sodium variety, and rinse and drain them well.
Bell Pepper – A combination of sweet red bell peppers and yellow bell peppers adds a bit of crunch along with flavor and nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
Jalapeños – Use as little or as much as you’d like for a touch of heat, and don’t forget to remove the seeds!
Mango – You’ll want two large, ripe mangoes.
Red Onion – Included for extra crunch and a warm, tangy taste.
Cucumber – We prefer English cucumbers because they don’t have a tough outer skin and provide a sweeter flavor. However, any cucumbers you have on hand can be used.
Avocado – Include ripe avocados for healthy fats and a smooth, silky texture that compliments the crispness of the veggies.
Cilantro – Included for a punchy, herbaceous taste. If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, feel free to omit it completely, or swap it out for fresh parsley.

For the Dressing

Olive Oil – This forms the base of the dressing, adding healthy fats and a slightly peppery flavor.
Tahini – Include for extra depth and a rich, nutty taste.
Honey – Added for a touch of sweetness that enhances the natural flavor of the fruit. Feel free to substitute it for maple syrup to keep this lentil salad vegan.
Lemon – Fresh lemon will yield the finest results and helps complement the natural sweetness of the mango.
Seasonings – Ground cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper add a touch of warmth and heat to balance out the fresh, sweet flavor of the fruit and veggies.

Flavor Variations and Add-Ins

Consider this lentil salad recipe your fridge cleanup superhero. Mix and match various ingredients to give it your personal touch.

Here are a few of our go-to add-ins to spark your creativity:

Greens – Add extra nutrients and volume with a base of greens like spinach, arugula, lettuce, and even kale.
Nuts and Seeds – Enhance the texture with extra crunch by adding a sprinkle of cashews, pecans, walnuts, or sesame seeds.
Grains – If you aren’t a fan of lentils, feel free to replace them with quinoa, rice, or even farro.
Fruit – If you love an extra sweet salad, try incorporating more fruit like pomegranate seeds, blueberries, or peaches.
Herbs – Replace the cilantro with any fresh herbs you like finest! As mentioned, parsley makes for a great alternative, but mint adds a bright, refreshing flavor as well.
Seasonings – We kept the seasonings in the dressing simple, but you can easily add to or substitute them with more warm options like garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, or even Tajin.

How to Make a Showstopping Mango Salad Recipe

This lentil mango salad is a breeze to whip up, reliable for those scorching summer days when the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove. Here’s all you need to do:

Cook the Lentils. Rinse the lentils and add them to a large pot, submerging them in water. Bring the liquid to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, and cook until the lentils are tender. Drain the water, and set the lentils aside to cool.
Mix the Salad. Add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl, and toss to combine.
Prepare the Dressing. In a mason jar or dressing jar, add all the salad dressing ingredients, and whisk to combine.
Toss. Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine and coat all the ingredients, and enjoy!

Tips for Success

Use Fresh Produce. The riper and fresher your produce, the better your salad will taste.
Adjust the Seasoning. Of course, you can adjust the dressing ingredients to suit your flavor preferences. However, we highly recommend giving it a taste test and slowly adjusting the ratios and ingredients as you go. A little goes a long way!
Enjoy Right Away. Because this lentil salad is full of so many fresh ingredients, it’s finest to serve it immediately. The longer it sits, the less flavorful it’ll be and the soggier the produce will get.

Serving Suggestions

This lentil salad isn’t just a fantastic plant-based meal; it’s also a stellar companion as a hearty side dish to chicken, fish, or meat. It’s the finest of both worlds!

A few of our go-to pairings are hummus with meat, beef kofta meatballs, Middle Eastern chicken, and baked feta salmon.

Common Questions About This Lentil Mango Salad?

What lentils work finest in a mango lentil salad?

Brown or green lentils are top picks—they hold their shape after cooking, giving you a satisfying bite. These varieties keep the salad hearty and balanced!

Will mango discolor if mixed too early?

Yes, mango cubes can brown or get mushy if tossed far in advance. For finest freshness, stir them in shortly before serving.

Is this salad gluten-free and vegan by default?

Yes—traditional versions with lentils, mango, fresh herbs, and oil/vinegar are naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Just skip any cheese if you’re keeping it dairy-free.

What’s the ideal mango ripeness?

Look for mangoes that give a little when gently squeezed—they should be ripe enough to taste sweet but still hold their shape in cubes.

Overhead image of a bowl of lentil mango salad.

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 6 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 25 mins

Delight your tastebuds with this lentil mango salad full of crisp veggies, sweet mango, and hearty lentils tossed in a warm tahini dressing! Email

Ingredients

For the Lentil Salad:

2 cups uncooked brown lentils rinsed and drained
1 yellow bell pepper diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 jalapeño seeded and chopped
1 large mango diced
2 medium tomatoes diced
1/2 red onion diced
1 English cucumber chopped
2 medium avocados diced
1/2 cup cilantro chopped
1/2 cup Italian parsley chopped

For the Dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tahini
1 Tablespoon honey
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Rinse and drain the lentils. Transfer them to a large pot, and submerge them in water (~5 cups).2 cups uncooked brown lentils
Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
Drain, and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, add the cooked lentils, veggies, mango, and parsley. Gently mix to combine.1 yellow bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1 jalapeño, 1 large mango, 2 medium tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, 1 English cucumber, 2 medium avocados, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/2 cup Italian parsley
In a mason jar or dressing jar, add all the dressing ingredients (oil, tahini, honey, lemon juice, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper). Mix until smooth.1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup tahini, 1 Tablespoon honey, Juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, and toss to combine.
This salad is finest enjoyed right away but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.