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Vibrant Mango Heat Dressing

As seen in: Essential Sauces: Elevate Every Dish with Flavorful Creations

Boost your food with this Tangy Mango Heat Dressing. Combining juicy mango, fresh lime, orange juice, a touch of honey, and your favorite hot peppers, you can mix it up in only 15 minutes. Splash it on salad greens or use it with grilled fish or chicken—its sweet and spicy combo works magic every time.
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Refreshed on Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:54:46 GMT
A jar filled with yellow mango dressing next to fresh limes and chili peppers. Save it
A jar filled with yellow mango dressing next to fresh limes and chili peppers. | iamcooker.com

This sunny mango heat sauce perfectly balances tropical fruitiness with mild spice. Juicy mango delivers sweetness naturally, while zesty lime brightens it up, chili adds gentle warmth, and cilantro brings fresh herbal notes. You'll love how this adaptable sauce transforms basic salads and kicked-up grilled foods alike.

I stumbled onto this mix while playing with super-ripe seasonal mangoes. Its zingy flavors and smooth consistency make it the most requested topping whenever friends come over.

Essential Components

  • Mango: Pick ones that smell amazing and yield slightly to pressure. The Ataulfo kind works best for smoothness.
  • Lime: Only squeeze it fresh - the stuff in bottles just doesn't have the same zip.
  • Chili: Go for Fresno or jalapeño for just the right kick.
  • Olive oil: Don't skimp here - get something nice with a clean, fruity taste.
  • Cilantro: Look for bright, perky bunches with no droopy leaves.
  • Honey: Grab the unfiltered kind for extra flavor and better blending.
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A bowl of salad with a spoon in it. | iamcooker.com

Making Steps

Handle the Mango
Find a juicy mango, slice around the seed. Make crisscross cuts in the fruit, then scoop chunks out. Scrape off any leftover fruit from the seed.
Create Foundation
Throw mango pieces into blender with citrus juice, honey, garlic and cumin, blending till smooth. Taste and tweak sweetness if needed.
Pour in Oil
Keep the blender going while slowly adding olive oil until everything turns silky and combined.
Complete
Pour into a container, mix in fresh cilantro and diced chili. Let it sit for 10 minutes so flavors can mingle.

I came up with this sauce during summer when my kitchen was flooded with ripe mangoes and I wanted something different for my everyday salad.

More Ways to Enjoy

Works wonders as a seafood marinade, especially with shrimp. Just don't let it sit longer than 30 minutes or the citrus will start changing the meat's texture.

Keeping Fresh

Store in a sealed glass container in your fridge. Don't worry if it separates - just give it a good shake before you use it.

This lively tropical sauce makes ordinary dishes special with its perfect sweet-spicy balance, bringing a taste of sunshine to your meals any time of year.

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A glass of yellow sauce with green spices on a table. | iamcooker.com

Common Questions

→ How long will this dressing stay fresh?
Store it in the refrigerator and it'll stay good for about a week.
→ What kind of chili works best?
Either jalapeño or Fresno will do the trick—just choose based on how hot you want it.
→ Can this dressing be used beyond salads?
Absolutely not just for greens! Try it on grilled shrimp, chicken dishes, or even drizzled over salmon for extra flavor.
→ How can I tell if my mango is ripe?
When you gently squeeze it and feel a slight give, plus catch a sweet aroma near the stem, it's ready!
→ Should I mix the dressing before pouring?
Definitely give it a good shake to get everything mixed up again before you use it.

Fruity Heat Dressing

Whip up this juicy dressing with tropical mango, citrus punch, and a little heat. It'll transform any boring salad into something amazing!

Preparation
15 Mins
Cooking Duration
~
Complete Duration
15 Mins
By: sofia


Complexity: Simple

Origin: American

Output: 24 Portions (1.5 cups)

Diet Types: Reduced Carbohydrate, Plant-Based (with dairy/eggs), No Gluten, No Dairy Products

What You'll Need

→ Fruit & Juices

01 1/4 cup orange juice, just squeezed
02 Juice from 2 limes (roughly 1/4 cup)
03 1 big mango, peeled, pitted and roughly chopped

→ Seasonings & Aromatics

04 2 tablespoons honey
05 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
06 1 garlic clove, whole
07 A pinch of salt (1/2 teaspoon)
08 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

→ Fresh Ingredients

09 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped finely
10 1 tablespoon finely diced medium-hot pepper (jalapeno or Fresno works great)

→ Oil

11 1/3 cup premium olive oil

Preparation Steps

01 Step

Throw your chopped mango, citrus juices, honey, cumin, garlic and salt in the blender. Run it at medium until everything's smooth. Transfer the mix to your storage jar.

02 Step

Add olive oil to your jar in a slow, steady stream while you're constantly whisking with a fork or whisk.

03 Step

Stir in your diced chili, cilantro and black pepper. Give it a taste and add more salt if needed.

04 Step

Pop it in the fridge where it'll stay good for 7 days. Remember to shake it well before using.

Additional Tips

  1. Perfect drizzled over leafy greens or paired with grilled fish, chicken or shrimp
  2. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to one week
  3. Don't forget to give it a good shake before serving

Required Equipment

  • Blender
  • Storage jar, medium size
  • Small whisk or fork for mixing
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Nutritional Information (Each Portion)

Consider these values as estimates rather than definitive health guidance.
  • Energy: 38
  • Fat Content: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Protein Content: ~