Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups diced mango (about 2 large or 3 medium mangoes)
- 1 cup diced cucumber (½ English cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers)
- ½ cup diced red onion (about ½ medium onion)
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper (about ½ pepper)
- 2 tablespoons seeded and finely diced jalapeno (1 large jalapeno or 2 serrano peppers)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (or Napa cabbage)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (leaves and light green stems)
- 1 can cooked black beans, rinsed and drained (14 oz can or 1½ to 2 cups cooked beans)
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 large lime)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt (or pink salt, or ⅛ teaspoon regular salt, adjust after tossing)
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional – skip for mild)
- ½ teaspoon agave syrup (or maple syrup, or honey for non-vegan version)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare & Assemble Salad Ingredients: Dice the mango, cucumber, red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeno using a vegetable chopper to get even, small pieces. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice the red cabbage, and finely chop the cilantro. Combine all these vegetables along with the rinsed and drained black beans in a large salad bowl.
- Prepare Salad Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, sea salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper if using, and agave syrup. Slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing and create a smooth, rich texture.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the assembled salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure the dressing evenly coats all the pieces. Chill the salad until ready to serve to enhance the flavors and enjoy a refreshing dish.
Notes
- You can substitute agave syrup with maple syrup or honey if not strictly vegan.
- If you prefer a milder salad, omit the jalapeno and cayenne pepper.
- For extra crunch, consider adding toasted pepitas or sunflower seeds before serving.
- Use fresh, ripe mangoes for the best sweetness and flavor.
- This salad is best served chilled and consumed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Vegan