Mango Blackberry Salad
This fresh and easy Mango Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad features your favorite lettuce or salad greens topped with sweet and juicy fruit and creamy goat cheese. Pull it all together with a tangy homemade dressing, and you have a simple side salad recipe with bright flavors that pair well with so many spring and summer dishes.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
Mango Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad is an easy seasonal salad recipe with fresh ingredients and the zing of a strawberry poppyseed salad dressing. Lettuce or mixed greens topped with slivers of mango, juicy blackberries, and crumbled goat cheese is a simple combination of ingredients. But when pulled together with the tangy vinaigrette, the flavors pop in your mouth.
The vibrant colors make it pretty to look at, and a touch of the tropics with mango on the salad and lime in the dressing will brighten up any meal. It takes a simple side salad and elevates it without overcomplicating things. I hope it becomes one that you keep coming back to when you need a change from the usual basic tossed salad.
Why You’ll Love This Mango Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Incredibly simple. While I love a big, abundant salad, sometimes using just a few ingredients allows the fresh flavors to shine, and keeps prep easy.
- But also versatile. I love it as-is, but there are lots of ways to change this salad up or add even more toppings. And that includes turning it into a dinner salad by topping it with your favorite protein. I share several different ideas below.
- Works for any occasion. The flavors and colors complement each other perfectly, making this a salad that feels special enough to serve to guests. But it is also easy to throw together just for yourself for a quick lunch or as a weeknight side.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s a rundown of the basics to make this mango blackberry salad, as well as some notes, swaps, and possible additions. Scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts and step-by-step instructions.
- Lettuce. I like baby romaine for this salad because it’s fresh and sturdy, but you can use mixed baby greens, baby spinach, or other salad greens of your choice.
- Mango. Peeled and sliced. A mango corer makes it much easier to remove the flesh from that tricky pit.
- Blackberries. The color and flavor work so well with the yellow mango and pink dressing, but you can also use strawberries, blueberries, or a combination.
- Goat cheese. Any crumbly cheese, such as feta or blue cheese, is a delicious substitute. Leave it off or use a vegan cheese to make it dairy free.
- Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing. To make this dressing, just blitz strawberries, fresh lime juice, olive oil, and honey in a blender, then stir in some poppy seeds. You can also use a store-bought poppyseed dressing, or try something different, like blueberry balsamic dressing.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
Besides the ingredient swaps included above, you can also add or change up how you serve this mango blackberry salad based on your tastes and appetite.
- Add some crunch. Lightly toasted pecans or pine nuts would add a lovely nutty flavor and a bit of texture.
- Toss in more veggies. The freshness of a cucumber, some juicy tomatoes, or even the crunch of sweet bell peppers would add even more to this sunmple salad.
- Serve as a side. This salad is lovely for Easter with glazed ham, or for Mother’s Day brunch alongside a slow cooker breakfast casserole. But it’s also perfect for weeknight meals, like grilled flank steak or air fryer chicken tenders.
- Top with protein. Instead of dividing this into four smaller side salads, you can split it in half and turn it into a dinner salad. Slice some lemon herb grilled chicken or leftover slow cooker roast chicken to pile on top of the salad. You can also use any extra grilled steak, and strawberry balsamic salmon would also be a delicious addition.
More Vibrant Salad Recipes
Mango Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups baby romaine, mixed baby greens, or other salad greens of choice (about two 5 oz. packages)
- 1 mango , peeled and cut into thin slices
- 1 cup blackberries
- 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Salad Dressing
Instructions
- Divide 8 cups baby romaine, mixed baby greens, or other salad greens of choice between four plates.
- Peel and slice 1 mango, and divide the mango slices, 1 cup blackberries, and 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese between the four plates, placing on top of the lettuce.
- Drizzle the salads with 1/2 cup Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Salad Dressing, about 2 Tablespoons on each. Serve immediately.
For the Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Salad Dressing:
- Combine 1/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 Tablespoon honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a blender or mini food processor, and blend till pureed and emulsified.
- Transfer the dressing to a jar or bowl, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and stir in 1 teaspoon poppyseeds. Store any extra dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 or 3 days.
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