Some recipes just happen (like this one). We had some leftover greens and a ripe mango and had just made some super saucy tempeh satay. I realized all that was missing was a little peanut dressing, and just like that, we had a delicious side on our hands. Bonus? It looks (and tastes) like a rainbow.
Care to make this easy 15-minute recipe with us? Gather your supplies and let’s make something tasty.
The base for this salad is greens, cabbage, cilantro, carrots, and ripe mango. That’s basically it! So fresh, so colorful, so…easy.
For dressing, the only flavor that made sense was peanut butter. We went for a quick-and-easy peanut dressing (learn more about traditional Thai-style peanut sauce here), but you can also jazz it up with some freshly grated ginger or sub the peanut butter for cashew or sunflower butter.
We hope you LOVE this salad! It’s:
Easy
Fast
Fresh
Colorful
Vitamin-rich
& So tasty
Enjoy this salad as is or top it with our Peanut & Lemongrass Tempeh Satay or 7-Ingredient Marinated Peanut Tempeh. It’s delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with dishes like our Thai Yellow Coconut Curry with Mango, Noodle-Free Pad Thai, Creamy Thai Carrot Soup, or Thai Noodle Bowls.
If you try this recipe, let us know by leaving a comment and a rating, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Vibrant Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
SALAD
- 1headbutter lettuce
- 1 1/2cupsfinely shredded carrot
- 1 1/4cupsshredded red cabbage
- 1largeripe mango(cubed)
- 1/2cupfresh chopped cilantro(plus more for serving)
DRESSING
- 1/3cupcreamy salted peanut butter(or sub other nut/seed butter such as cashew/sunflower)
- 2 1/2Tbsplime juice
- 1 1/2Tbspmaple syrup(plus more to taste)
- 2-3tspchili garlic sauce(plus more to taste)
- 3Tbspcoconut aminos*
- Water to thin
FOR SERVING optional
- Roasted salted peanuts(chopped)
- Fresh cilantro
- Lemongrass Tempeh Satay(or Peanut Tempeh*)
Instructions
- Wash and dry butter lettuce and then tear or chop into bite-sized pieces. Add to a large mixing bowl with carrot, cabbage, mango, and cilantro.
- To prepare dressing, add peanut butter, lime juice, maple syrup, chili garlic sauce, and coconut aminos (or tamari) to a small mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding water as needed to thin (see photo).
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, chili garlic sauce for heat, lime for acidity, or coconut aminos for overall flavor. If it becomes too thin, thicken with more peanut butter. If too thick, thin with a little water.
- Divide salad between serving dishes and serve dressing on the side. Enjoy as is or garnish with peanuts, cilantro, and tempeh (optional).
- Best when fresh. Store leftover salad (separate from dressing if possible) in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Dressing will keep up to 5-7 days.
Notes
*Find the Peanut Tempeh recipe here.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without serving ingredients.
laciesays
This is ridiculously good. I top it with seared ahi tuna, and the first time I made it, my husband said, “I’d happily eat this twice a week.” Seeing as he doesn’t like fish OR salad, that was a major win.
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Agreed, major win! Thank you for sharing, Lacie! xoxo
Mirandasays
This salad was so delicious! I made it with your peanut tempeh recipe (grilled instead of baked because it’s summer and I’m grilling every chance I get!) and it was superb. I also left out the cilantro for the sake of my cilantro-hating husband, and the flavors still worked really well together. Thanks for the great recipe (as usual)!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Yumm – what a delicious combo! We agree grilling is definitely the way in the summer. Thanks for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Miranda! xo
Janesays
Sooo delicious! This recipe is a keeper.
Subbed low-sodium tamari for the coconut aminos, and used tofu instead of tempeh (sautéed it, then marinated it in the dressing. Next time I’ll make 1.5 times the dressing, as the tofu soaked it up a bit). Otherwise made as directed.
This recipe is such a great find now that mangoes are in season!
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Jane! Thank you so much for sharing! xo
Calla Slaytonsays
I made this salad last night and it was INCREDIBLE! The flavors went together so well and the peanut dressing was heavenly. A perfect summer meal that’s light and flavorful. This is definitely going to be a go-to for me now :)
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Calla! Thank you so much for the lovely review! xo
Jackiesays
I made this recipe tonight and my husband and I devoured it. We made it with a simple sauteed tofu. It was so satisifying – clean, crisp, crunchy, flavorful…could eat this or a variation of it every night.
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Aw, yay! We’re so glad you both enjoyed it, Jackie. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Hopesays
One of the best salads I’ve had in a long time. I subbed the red cabbage with a bag of coleslaw because that’s what I had one hand, and it turned out great! I ended up not needing to make the dressing because I used the leftover marinade from the Peanut Tempeh!
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Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Hope!
Donnasays
This was so delicious! The combination of flavors were bright and fresh, just right for springtime. I served it with Lemongrass Chicken for my non-vegan family members. Everyone loved it! This will now be in our family’s regular dinner rotation!
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We’re so glad you and your family enjoy it! Thanks for sharing, Donna! xo
KIMBERLY BELLsays
I LOVE this salad and made it to bring to work then had it for lunches. I love everything in it and the tempeh was PERFECT!
Thank you
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Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Kimberly! xo
Sarah L. Downssays
FINALLY a salad dressing I can enjoy over and over! I love your recipes and have been looking for a salad recipe and this one takes the prize. The only change I made was adding red bell pepper to the salad itself. The dressing is so good I could drink it. Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sarah! xo
kartik fatehpuriasays
I made this salad yesterday with my wife. Since, it’s mango season right now; we plan on making it once a week because its delicious and so simple to make. Thanks for sharing it
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We’re so glad you both enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Aprilsays
Since I found this recipe I have made it at least once a week!
I used cashew butter and date paste instead of peanut butter and maple syrup. I added kale, red pepper and sugar snap peas to the salad and if I want it more substantial I add rice noodles. Oh and I also add Trader Joe’s spicy thai cashews for some heat and crunch. Just delicious! Thank you!
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We’re so glad you enjoy it, April! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Viviansays
Thanks for sharing your way of making the salad. I do not have red cabbage so I will use pea pods and red bell pepper as you did. Also, I have date paste I made in the frig and have been looking for something to make with it so your dressing suggestion is perfect.
Sabrina Choinièresays
Perfectly balanced salad! If you have it, make sure to add some roasted salted peanuts for crunchiness. So yummy!
Judy Strettonsays
I have just lived through Australia’s terrible summer with drought bushfires smoke haze then a massive hailstorm in my city then finally life giving rain to put out the fires and wash the ash from my poor garden. I have made this amazing recipe all summer and my friends and family have rated it so delicious I’ve shared the recipe with them. I’ve had it with chicken, prawns, smoked salmon and of course our scrumptious Australian mangoes. I reduced the maple syrup as we don’t have a sweet tooth. Thank you so much for giving me some happiness during such an anxious time. ? 5 star rating!
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We’re so glad everyone has enjoyed it, Judy! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Brooklynsays
Made this for a solo dinner but will make again for friends. It’s too good not to share.
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
=) Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Laura Simssays
Could I sub tahini for the peanut sauce? Low on peanut butter but desperate to try this delicious looking meal!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hmm, we aren’t sure that would work! But if you give it a try, let us know how it goes!
Adrianna Floressays
So easy, and soooooo delicious! Thank you!
Wendysays
Reviewing again so I could add the stars :)
Made this delicious vibrant salad for dinner last night. Super easy and tasty. I had to sub the chili sauce for ketchup and chili flakes as I didn’t have any and subbed Lemon for the Lime and it was still super yummy.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful, healthy and beautifully colored recipes.
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Aww, thanks so much! xo
Wendysays
Made this delicious vibrant salad for dinner last night. Super easy and tasty. I had to sub the chili sauce for ketchup and chili flakes as I didn’t have any and subbed Lemon for the Lime and it was still super yummy.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful, healthy and beautifully colored recipes.
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks so much for the sweet note and lovely review, Wendy. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
Rachelsays
this is soo good! thank you <3 you never disappoint
Audrey K Emersonsays
Yum!
Wendysays
Wow, this was delicious! We added the ginger and I added some sprouts because my son loves sprouts. He said he could take this salad to work everyday! Thanks for all your great recipes. :)
Michellesays
This salad is wonderful! It’s one of my favorites that I’ve ever made off of your site! I topped it with some grilled turkey breast and its the perfect al desko lunch!
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Yum!
Conniesays
I made this and added srirracha smoked tofu
! It was delicious!!! Will finitely make this again.
Eva Lynesays
So delicious
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Yay!
Kimsays
I made this last night and it was delicious! Dana, I love the incredible spices that you use in your recipes. Thank you for creativity and inspiration!
Hannisays
Yummmmmmmy! Great for a hot day. Skipped the butter leaf and added some steamed chicken breast. It was a big hit. My 2.5 year old dipped his chicken in the peanut sauce and had mangos on the side! 5 out of 5 at my house.
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Glad you enjoyed these, Hanni!
Davidsays
How long does the dressing keep for?
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hi David! The dressing will keep up to 5-7 days.
Michellesays
Love this! Made it without the tempeh…(cause I was too lazy!)
The colors, flavors and textures are fabulous! Will definitely make it again – maybe with the tempeh ? THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY VEGAN LIFE THE BEST LIFE!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
So kind! We are glad to hear it, Michelle!
Brooklynsays
This salad was awesome! I marinated tempeh in the salad dressing for 24 hrs, sautéed in sesame oil and mix in salad.
Luke McKenziesays
AMAZING!! Made this over the weekend for my family for lunch on a hot summer day, the mangos were so refreshing and the peanut dressing was an absolute crowd pleaser! Paired it with Cajun spiced tilapia. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Justinesays
Currently devouring this- it’s delicious your peanut sauce is my absolute favorite sauce ever. I added sliced avocado and next time i think I’ll throw in some bell peppers. 11/10 would recommend to a friend
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Yay! Thanks for sharing, Justine!
Lisasays
I’ve made this twice already, and highly recommend it! I didn’t have the chili garlic sauce and used cashews instead of peanuts, and it was still delish.
Lori Andersensays
Love this recipe. I have made it three times now. My favorite summer salad.
Antonelasays
I made this and I loved it! I had to incorporate some minor changes: I used romaine; I did not have the chilli sauce so I added fresh garlic and hot pepper flakes to the dressing; and I used crunchy peanut butter. It was a great salad! My husband doesn’t particularly like “sweet” meals, but he was ok with this one, because he loves peanut butter! I had some extra salad mix, which I refrigerated and used it 2 days later. I just had to prepare the dressing again. So next time, I’ll prepare dressing for more servings! Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Yay! Thank you for sharing your recipe changes :D
Raesays
This salad was DELICIOUS! I didn’t make the tempeh to go with it as the only tempeh in the house was in the freezer and I didn’t want to take the time to thaw it out. Instead we made the almond butter tofu from the noodle bowl recipe, which went incredibly well. Seriously yummy salad. Will put it on repeat this summer.
Anna Catoissays
Made this for dinner last night and it was great! I had all the ingredients except the coconut aminos and had to run to Trader Joes to buy some (it was also my first time using it). I loved it! The coconut aminos was great and I will definitely be using it as a substitute for soy in a lot of sauces. Great recipe!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Anna!
CLAUDIA ABBESsays
OK, i love your recipes, they are easy to make and flavorful and what drew me in was partly the tempeh in the pictures. You start the recipe with 15 min, quick and easy but ehem I went looking for the tempeh recipe, it actually calls to be marinated for over 24 hours! I found this disappointing and a bit misleading.
Support @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hi Claudia! Thanks for feedback! While this recipe is a 15-Minute recipe once the tempeh is prepared, we appreciate hearing from you and will take this into consideration for the future.
Michellesays
I made this for my vegan daughter and me. I also made the lemongrass tempeh. Wow!! This was so delicious! I couldn’t keep my fingers out of the lemongrass marinade. We had the salad for dinner two nights in a row and I wished I’d had made enough for a third. Excellent recipe. I had a little extra marinade so put some chickpeas in it and we ate that yesterday.
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Lovely! Thanks fro sharing, Michelle!
Ginger by Choice I food & lifestyle blogsays
There’s something I have to admit: I never tried tempeh before!!! It’s a bit embarrasing, however, you’re fanastic, rainbow colored salad is the perfect way to give tempeh a try. I love everything about that salad and tempeh sounds pretty tasty, so I think I’ll have a great time preparing it (working with all those colorful veggies just makes me happy) and eating it will be even better.
Thanks for sharing …
Ginger by Choice I food & lifestyle blog
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We hope you love the recipe, Ginger! :D
Natalia S.says
Just made it and it was epic! Exactly what all the mangos in the grocery store needed to be exciting.
I used peanuts (instead of peanut butter) and just added them to the food processor with the rest of the dressing ingredients. I also simply sautéed some tofurkey tempeh bacon, instead of making the peanut one and added it in each plate.
I will absolutely make it again — thank you!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Smart! Thanks for sharing!
Emaleigh Downeysays
Made this today, so good! Perfect summer salad! The dressing is addictive hahaha
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing, Emaleigh! xo
Kellysays
We had this amazing salad for dinner tonight, my husband and I loved it!!!!! We live on Maui, so it’s mango season:) Thank you for all of your delicious recipes!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Jealous! Maui is so gorgeous. So glad you enjoyed it!
Cassie Autumn Transays
What a lovely salad! I love adding lots of cabbage and fresh lettuce into my Thai salads. What other kinds of lettuce would be suitable for this salad?
Louraleisays
Just happened to have all these ingredients already at home! Love this recipe, but wish I already had some of the tempeh ready!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing!
Stacey Davissays
Geez. Thanks so much for this delicious salad. So kind of you to share your chef talents with the world.
Cathy Williamssays
I’m looking forward to making this salad!
I also want to tell you that your food photos are absolutely STUNNING!!!
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So kind! We hope you love this salad, Cathy! :D
Terri Tacquetsays
Looks delicious. I love all your recipes. Do you think I can use powdered peanut butter on this recipe to save calories and fat?
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We haven’t tried, but I would think that should work! Report back if you give it a try!
Julia Quastsays
Have done that, works fine :)
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Huy Fong Foods!
Katiesays
What kind or brand of chili garlic sauce do you use?