Mango season has arrived! I’m marking the occasion with a guide on how to prepare mango, whether you prefer it sliced or diced. Mango is among the most favored fruits globally, but I wasn’t raised eating it and had to figure out how to prepare it. I’ve experimented with various techniques, and today I’m sharing the optimal way to cut mango.
Mango has a flavor reminiscent of a juicy tropical peach, accented with hints of honey. Even in its ripest state, it usually maintains a slight tartness, which keeps drawing me back for more. I enjoy incorporating mango into salads, salsa, and savory dishes for a touch of sweetness—not to mention snacking on them straight.
Mangoes are at their best during the summer months, usually available from May to September. I’ve recently been thrilled to discover Ataulfo mangoes (also known as honey or Champagne) on sale at Whole Foods. That’s the type you’ll see here, known for being particularly buttery and delightful. My preparation tips will work wonderfully for any mango variety and size!
Mango Preparation Tips
How to Determine if a Mango is Ripe
Search for mangos that yield slightly when gently squeezed, much like a ripe avocado or peach. It should display a vibrant hue, which varies by variety, and exude a sweet aroma from the stem end.
Underripe mangoes will feel extremely firm. Steer clear of overripe mangoes with wrinkled skin or brown patches—they are usually sweeter but tend to be more stringy and mushy inside.
Watch How to Prepare Mango
You’ll find written directions in the recipe at the post’s end. For a visual guide, check out this short video:
Note on Mango Skin
If you’re asking, “Can I just eat mango skin?” the technical answer is yes, but you might not wish to. Mango skin has fiber and nutrients, although I’ve heard it doesn’t taste very good.
Mango skin can cause irritation to human skin due to the presence of urushiol, the same compound that can lead to contact dermatitis found in poison ivy. As someone with sensitive skin, I avoid eating mango right off the skin.
How to Serve Fresh Mango
Ripe mango is a delightful snack on its own. I enjoy it with a dash of chili-lime seasoning like Tajín, which adds a salty spiciness that complements the sweetness.
You can freeze diced mango for smoothies or simply to save excess. To keep the pieces from clumping together, arrange the mango on a parchment paper-lined tray, freeze until firm, then move it to a freezer bag.
Mango pairs exceptionally well with ingredients like black beans, berries, chili peppers, cilantro, coconut, ginger, lime, mint, red onion, peanuts, pineapple, and yogurt. Many of these components are included in the recipes below.
Recipes with Fresh Mango
Here are a few recipes featuring mango on Cookie and Kate. You’ll see that I enjoy blending sweet mango with savory and spicy elements for harmony:
Please share how this method works for you in the comments. I love your feedback.
How to Cut a Mango
Discover how to slice or dice a mango! It’s simple once you master this method. Prepare as many mangoes as necessary, and refer to the recipe notes for freezing instructions.
Instructions
1. With one hand, hold the mango upright with the stem side facing up. Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut off one wide side of the mango, about ½-inch from the center (if you meet resistance or hear a scratching noise, you’re too close to the pit and need to cut further from the center). Next, slice off the other side in the same manner.
2. Working with one piece at a time, gently use your knife to cut through the flesh (be careful not to press so hard that you slice through the skin). For sliced mango, make long, narrow vertical cuts. For diced mango, create wider vertical cuts followed by horizontal cuts to form a grid pattern. You can likely extract more flesh from each side of the pit and score it as well.
3. Use a large spoon to scoop the flesh out from the skin, then utilize your slices or cubes as desired. If your mango was sizeable, you might be able to slice a bit more flesh from around the pit, although these pieces won’t be as uniform as the others—they’re great for snacking!
Notes
To freeze leftover mango: Place the mango on a parchment paper-lined tray that will fit inside your freezer. Freeze until the mango is solid, then transfer it to a freezer bag.