Strawberry Mango Salad

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Mango Salad

If there are two things I am obsessed with, it’s kitchen gadgets and summery salads with fruit on them. And this Strawberry Mango Salad satisfies my need for both. I get to break out my strawberry huller and mango splitter and avocado slicer and dressing shaker, then dig in to a colorful and flavorful salad full of all of my favorite flavors and so many glorious colors.

The combination of peppery greens with sweet strawberries and mango slices is so refreshing. And a light, sweet, and tart citrus salad dressing brings a little zing to brighten the rich creaminess of the goat cheese and avocado. Now just add pine nuts for a bit of crunch. If that doesn’t convince you, here are more reasons to love this salad recipe…

• Side or main. Serve as a side dish or a light meatless lunch. Or add your favorite meat, seafood, or vegetarian protein on top for a satisfying dinner. And you can assemble it int minutes!
• Meets everyone’s needs. This salad is naturally gluten free, and easily adaptable to be dairy free, kept vegetarian or loaded up with meat, and more.
• So flexible. You can choose another kind of greens, swap the fruit, use a different cheese, and replace the pine nuts with another kind of nut. Drizzle it with your favorite dressing, and serve it plated or tossed. It’s all up to you!

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to make this tasty salad. You’ll find the full amounts and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card further down in the post.

• Mixed baby greens. Also called spring mix, they are light and tender, and sometimes have a bit of peppery flavor that pairs nicely with the sweetness of the fruit. Be sure to wash your greens and get rid of any excess moisture. Try using a salad spinner to make it easier.
• Strawberries. Removing the green leaves and the white, bitter hull with a strawberry huller will ensure you get the best color and flavor for your salad.
• Mango. You’ll want to peel your mango and cut it into slices or chunks.
• Avocado. Again, choose sliced or chunks, depending on your preference.
• Goat cheese. Buy it pre-crumbled, or get a log of goat cheese and crumble it yourself or lay thin slices on top of your salad for a more elegant presentation.
• Pine nuts. These always taste best when lightly toasted. I recommend heating a small pan over low to medium heat, adding the pine nuts and tossing around for a few minutes just until they are golden brown and start to smell nutty.
• Chicken. This is optional depending on whether you are serving this as a side salad, keeping it meatless, or want to make a heartier meal. Feel free to try other proteins, too, like steak, shrimp, or chickpeas.
• Creamy lemon lime dressing. Mix together Greek yogurt, lemon and lime juice, honey, olive oil, and salt and pepper. The details are in the recipe card, but you can also check out the full citrus dressing recipe and blog post for even more tips and information.

Make it a Meal

Whether you want to serve it as a side salad or a main meal, here are some serving suggestions for this Strawberry Mango Salad.

• Soup and salad. Make a pot of Chicken Corn Chowder and enjoy it with Gluten Free Cornbread.
• Fire up the grill. Toss a salad while you are grilling Honey Balsamic Grilled Flat Iron Steak or Orange Saffron Grilled Chicken Legs and a side of Campfire Potatoes on the grill.
• Date night dinner. Whip up something elegant like Strawberry Glazed Salmon and Homemade Breadsticks to serve with your salad.
• Family meal. Yes, even kids enjoy this salad, especially with BBQ Chicken Tostadas and Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs.
• Top with a protein. Fire up the grill for Lemon Herb Yogurt Marinated Chicken, or break out the cast iron skillet for Chili Lime Shrimp or Honey Balsamic Steak Bites to pile on your bowl of greens and fruit.