Mango Habanero Cucumber Salad

I really like an excellent cucumber salad, however each on occasion it’s enjoyable to alter issues up and this one is for certain to show some heads. It’s received all of the crisp, refreshing cucumbers you’d count on, however as a substitute of a fundamental French dressing, every thing will get tossed in a recent mango dressing with simply sufficient habanero to get up your mouth. It’s candy, tangy, just a little spicy, and surprisingly onerous to cease consuming.

Why My Recipe

A recent mango dressing provides each chunk candy, tangy, and spicy taste that’ll have you ever desirous to lick the plate clear!
Customise the warmth by including kind of habanero to manage the spice stage for any desk.
Prepared in simply quarter-hour with no cooking required.

Wooden spoon scooping Mango Habanero Cucumber Salad with cucumber ribbons, mango chunks, and red onion tossed in a sweet and spicy dressing.

Don’t let the habanero scare you off. You can also make it as spicy or as gentle as you need, and the sweetness from the mango retains every thing actually recent. It’s considered one of my favourite sides for something coming off the grill, however actually, I’ve been recognized to eat a bowl of it for lunch too.

Ingredient Notes

Flat lay of ingredients for Mango Habanero Cucumber Salad including mango, cucumber, habanero pepper, cilantro, lime, lemon, red onion, and salt.

Cucumber: English cucumbers or common cucumbers each work. If utilizing backyard cucumbers with massive seeds, it’s possible you’ll need to scoop them out earlier than slicing.
Crimson Onion: Slice it as thinly as potential for the perfect texture. In the event you choose a milder onion taste, soak the slices in chilly water for 10 minutes earlier than including them to the salad.
Mango: Select ripe mangoes that give barely when gently squeezed. In the event that they’re too agency, they gained’t mix as easily or style as candy.
Habanero Pepper: Take away the seeds and membranes for much less warmth. Put on gloves whereas dealing with you probably have delicate pores and skin, and keep away from touching your face.
Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed has the brightest taste, however bottled will work too.
Lemon Juice: Contemporary lemon juice is most popular, although bottled will work too.
Contemporary Cilantro: In the event you’re serving cilantro skeptics, you may substitute recent parsley for a unique however nonetheless recent taste.
Salt: Common desk salt is what I’m utilizing right here.

How Spicy Is It?

One habanero provides this salad a noticeable kick, however the sweetness of the mango helps stability the warmth.

In the event you choose a milder salad, use solely half of the pepper or be further cautious to take away all the seeds and white membranes earlier than mixing.

In the event you’re a warmth lover, depart among the seeds in or add a second habanero.

Choosing the Good Mango

One of the best mangoes for this salad are ripe however nonetheless agency sufficient to carry their form after dicing. A ripe mango ought to give simply barely while you gently squeeze it, much like a ripe avocado. If it’s rock onerous, let it sit on the counter for a day or two till it softens.

Close overhead shot of Mango Habanero Cucumber Salad featuring crisp cucumber slices, juicy mango chunks, and red onion in a zesty mango habanero dressing.

Make Forward Suggestions

You can also make the mango dressing as much as 2 days forward and preserve it refrigerated till you’re able to serve.

As soon as the salad is tossed collectively, it’s greatest loved inside a number of hours whereas the cucumbers are nonetheless good and crisp.

In the event you’re making it forward for a celebration, wait to mix every thing till simply earlier than serving.

Serving Strategies

This salad is correct at dwelling subsequent to something coming off the grill. Serve it with grilled hen, shrimp, fish, pork, or steak.

It’s additionally nice with tacos, particularly fish or shrimp tacos, and makes a recent facet for burgers or pulled pork sandwiches.

Storage Directions

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 2 days. The cucumbers will proceed to melt and launch liquid as they sit, so this salad is at its greatest the day it’s is made.

Stir Earlier than Serving if any liquid has collected within the backside of the bowl after refrigeration.