This quick and easy black bean mango salad is packed with succulent mango, toothsome black beans, and lots of fresh, crunchy veggies. It's a satisfying snack or side dish!
Table of Contents
The base for this flavorful mango black bean salad is my super easy mango salsa recipe. I've upped the flavor profile and added black beans and lots of crunchy veggies to make a satisfying salad that works as a side dish or an entree.
To make this a meal, serve over salad greens or cooked grains of choice. You can also serve it as a side with your favorite plant-based protein, like cornflake tofu nuggets or salt and pepper tofu.
If you love a bean salad, also check out my collection of vegan bean salad recipes and my avocado white bean salad! And if salads starring juicy fruit are your jam, don't miss my blueberry peach salad!
✓ Ingredients and substitutions
- mango - Diced mango brings succulent sweetness to this salad. You'll need two large or three to four small mangos for this recipe.
- black beans - Use canned or homemade black beans. Drain and rinse before using.
- garlic - We are not cooking this garlic, so garlic lovers, increase the amount with care!
- lime juice and zest - Makes this salad SO zingy!
- avocado - Adds a creamy texture.
- cilantro - Give this such a great, fresh flavor! If you don't like cilantro, you can use fresh parsley instead.
- red onion - Adds umami to the salad. You can use green onion or sweet onion, if you don't have red onions.
- corn - Use fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
- veggies - Tomato adds umami, while cucumber and bell pepper add flavor and crunch.
- jalapeño - Adds heat. Use more or less, to taste. Remove the seeds and veins for less heat. You can omit completely, if you prefer.
- Tajin - Tajin seasoning is a mixture of chili, lime, and salt, and it gives this black bean mango salad such an amazing flavor!
🥣 How to make mango black bean salad
Add all of the salad ingredients together to your serving dish.
Toss well.
Taste and adjust the flavors. Add more tajin or lime juice for more tang, and add salt, if needed. Tajin seasoning usually contains salt, which is why no salt is listed in the ingredients.
Chill until you're ready to serve. Serve as a side dish or with chips for dipping!
💡 Helpful tips
- You can use fresh or frozen mango to make this salad, though I do like it best with fresh. To use frozen mango, just thaw and drain the frozen mango before dicing and adding to the rest of the mix.
- The salad's flavor will get better over time. You can serve it immediately, but if you can wait an hour or so -- or even 15-20 minutes -- the flavors will meld a bit, making it even more delicious. I like to make it a day ahead, so it has a chance to really come together overnight in the fridge.
🫙 Storage directions
Store leftovers in an airtight container. They'll keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. The avocado may discolor a little as it sits, but it's still safe to eat as long as it still tastes okay.
💬 Frequently asked questions
I do prefer this salad with fresh mango, but you can use frozen, if needed. Just thaw and drain before using.
Either one is fine! Just rinse and drain them before using, and you're good to go.
🍴 More ways to use mango
📖 Recipe
🥭 Black Bean Mango Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced fresh mango 2 large or 3 to 4 small mangos
- 15 ounce can of black beans drained and rinsed. Or use 1 ½ cups cooked black beans.
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 fresh limes zest and juice
- 1 Haas avocado diced
- ½ cup packed chopped cilantro
- ½ cup minced red onion
- ½ cup corn kernels fresh, frozen, or canned is fine
- ½ cup diced tomato
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- 2 to 4 tablespoons minced jalapeno remove the seeds or use bell pepper, if you prefer less spice
- 1 tablespoon Tajin seasoning or more, to taste
Instructions
- Toss all of the salad ingredients together right in your serving dish, then taste and adjust the flavors. Add more tajin or lime juice for more tang, and add salt, if needed. Tajin seasoning usually contains salt, which is why no salt is listed in the ingredients. Chill until you're ready to serve.
Got a question? Tried this recipe? Leave a reply!