The Ultimate Guide to Cutting and Serving Mangoes
The fresh excellence and taste of a mango in a summer dish—yum. It brings a meal together no matter how savory or sweet. Ice cream? Absolutely. Pork chops? Yes, please. Mango is a delicious, welcome guest to almost any plate. But the real question is: how do we cut this thing?
Not to worry—our resident chefs have got you covered with step-by-step instructions as well as some delicious mango recipes once you crack the code on cutting them.
Hungry for more? Try one of our cooking classes! You’ll learn new recipes, plus tips and tricks from our resident chefs.
How to know if a mango is ripe
We want to make sure you’re cutting into a mango that’s ripe and ready. A ripe mango will be slightly soft to the touch and have a sweet aroma.
- Look for a mango with smooth, unblemished skin.
- Choose a mango that feels heavy for its size.
- Avoid mangoes with wrinkled skin. This can be a sign of over-ripeness.
HOW TO CUT A MANGO
Once you’ve selected your mango, it’s time to grab your paring knife. Much like an avocado, the pit inside the mango isn’t something you want to eat. So, to cut the pit (also called a stone) out of the mango, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Wash the mango under running water and clean the fruit.
- Hold the mango upright on a cutting board with the stem end facing upwards.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the mango lengthwise, starting from the stem end and working your way down.
- Remove one side of the mango, slicing as close to the pit as possible. Repeat with the other side.
- Take one of the mango halves and use a paring knife to score the flesh in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the mango cubes from the scored half. Repeat with the other half.
HOW TO SERVE A MANGO
Now that you’ve cut your mango into cubes, it’s time to serve it. Need some inspo? We got you.
- Add mango cubes to a fruit salad for a burst of tropical flavor.
- Use mango cubes as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal.
- Blend mango cubes with ice and milk for a refreshing smoothie.
- Use mango cubes to make salsa or chutney for a savory dish.
MANGO RECIPE IDEAS
Whether you’re making a smoothie, salsa or a savory dish, mangoes add a sweet and tropical flavor that’s hard to resist. Here are some of our favorite recipes to get you started:
Mango Smoothie
Blend mango cubes with yogurt, orange slices, water and ice for a refreshing smoothie. Vanilla yogurt adds a wonderful creaminess to the flavors of bright citrus and tropical mango.
Mango Salsa
Combine diced mango, cucumber, red bell peppers, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice for a sweet and spicy salsa. Serve with tortilla chips or use as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.
Mango Lassi
Blend mango cubes with yogurt, milk and cardamom for a traditional Indian drink. This creamy, delicious beverage is perfect on a hot summer day.
Shrimp Skewers with Spiced Mango Wraps
This recipe was a runner-up in Sur La Table’s Grilling Recipe Contest, so it’s a must-try. Simply thread shrimp onto skewers and marinate in a mixture of garlic, cilantro, lime juice and herbs and wrap in thinly sliced mango strips. Grill the skewers until the shrimp is cooked through and enjoy!
Salmon Mango Poke Bowl
Combine diced mango, avocado, cucumber and scallions in a bowl. Top with diced cooked salmon and drizzle with a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil and lime juice. Serve over rice or quinoa for an easy, inspired lunch or dinner.
HOW TO STORE A MANGO
Mangoes should be ripened at room temperature, then stored in a refrigerator until ready to use.
HOW LONG DO MANGOES LAST IN THE FRIDGE?
Mangoes can be stored for about 4–5 days once they’ve reached ripeness.
CAN I FREEZE A MANGO?
You sure can. When you freeze mangoes for smoothies, jellies and sauces, you’ll extend the life of a mango much longer than if you had kept them in the fridge. Slice or cube mangoes before freezing, as it’s easier to add them to a smoothie in chunks.
WHEN ARE MANGOES IN SEASON?
Typically, the best season for fresh mangoes in the US is between May and September.
Hungry for more? Try one of our cooking classes! You’ll learn new recipes, plus tips and tricks from our resident chefs.
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