Black Bean Mango Salad is a delicious summertime dish! It takes only a few minutes to make, and it’s great as a side salad or on it’s own as a light lunch. Serve it with added avocado and lettuce to give it a little more oomph. This easy recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
Black Bean Mango Salad
I was very late to the party with Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events books. When the first season of the Netflix series came out a few years ago, Dennis and I binged watched them, and we were left wanting more. Rather than wait until who knows when for the next season, I started reading the books.
In The Slippery Slope, Mr. Snicket has hidden a letter to his sister, because he’s quite sure that no one will want to read the book. In the letter he tells her that her suggestion of “a simple combination of sliced mango, black beans, and chopped celery mixed with black pepper, lime juice, and olive oil would make a delicious chilled salad” turned out be correct.
“Hmm… that sounds good,” I thought, “but I’m not sure if I’d like all of that celery.” And as if he read my mind, in the letter’s postscript, he states that the salad is just as delicious with hearts of palm rather than celery. Now THAT sounds like my kind of salad! Of course, I had to try it. The Snickets were correct – it is a delicious salad.
Later in the book, in a flashback, the Baudelaire’s mother is preparing for a luncheon, and she’s made the same salad. She explains to baby Sunny that it’s not a complicated recipe, but if it’s arranged nicely on fancy plates, people will think the dish took a look of time to prepare. “Often, when cooking, the presentation of the food can be as important as the food itself.” I think any food blogger will agree.
How to Cut a Mango
Cutting a mango can be tricky, because the pit is large and difficult to locate. The pit is long and flat and runs down the center of the mango. To cut your mango:
- First you stand it upright on one end on a cutting board. You’ll be able to see the indents around the pit on the top.
- Then you slice the flesh away from either side of the pit.
- Next you make crosshatched cuts about 1 inch apart in each mango half, being careful not to cut through the skin.
- Finally, you use a spoon to scoop the mango cubes out of the skin.
How to Make Black Bean Mango Salad
The recipe is super easy to make!
- First, you whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, black pepper, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
- Then you mix together the black beans, hearts of palm, and mangos in a large bowl and gently fold in the dressing.
- You should chill for about half an hour before serving to allow all of the flavors to mingle.
- Just before serving, garnish your salad with fresh cracked pepper and chopped cilantro.
Serving Your Black Bean Mango Salad
This salad is great for potlucks, picnics, and cookouts. Serve it on a fancy plate, and people will think the dish took a look of time to prepare!
I’ve enjoyed this Black Bean Mango Salad (or Snicket Salad as I’ve been calling it) as a side dish with sandwiches. To make a meal out of it, add some avocado and serve it over chopped romaine lettuce.
Black Bean Mango Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ tablespoon black pepper plus more for serving
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 14-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 14-ounce jar hearts of palm thinly sliced
- 2 mangos peeled and diced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, black pepper, salt, and crusted red pepper flakes.
- In a large bowl, mix together the black beans, hearts of palm, and mangos. Gently fold in the dressing.
- Chill for about half an hour before serving. Garnish with fresh cracked pepper and chopped cilantro.
Originally posted May 8, 2017. Updated May 22, 2022.
More recipes with mango that you might like include:
- Sticky Rice with Mango
- Curried Mango Chickpea Wraps from The Plant-Based Diet Meal Plan by Heather Nicholds
- Mango Curry with Tempeh and Broccoli
- Soy-Lime Seitan Tacos with Mango and Chipotle Aioli
More recipes with black beans include:
- Black Bean Brownies from Vegan Everything by Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taquitos from Go Dairy Free By Alisa Fleming
- Double Shelled Black Bean Tacos
- Black Bean Burgers with Roasted Garlic Aoili
Becky Striepe
Oh my gosh, what a perfect summer supper. I'd love this on its own or in tacos!
Dianne
Thanks, Becky! I bet this would be good in tacos! I'm going to have to try that next.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I read the books years ago, but I haven't watched Lemony Snicket on Netflix yet. I better get on that! And of course I know I'm going to love this salad!
Dianne
You should watch the show – it's a lot of fun!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I'll check it out! I'm in the need of a new show.
Dianne
I hope you like it!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
I love mango, especially with spice. I bet this would go great with chips or on tacos and burritos!
Dianne
I bet it would be great with chips or in tacos and burritos!
Kristina
I love mango in bean salads like this - savory salty sweet is perfect for summer!
Dianne
Thank you, Kristina!
Mary Ellen | VNutrition
I definitely am tired of boring old salads - this one looks great. I need to get into A Series of Unfortunate Events. The movie looks good and I keep putting off watching till I read them.
Dianne
Thanks, Mary Ellen! The books are a quick read, and they're definitely a lot of fun.
Jenn
Yum!! Love that there are Hearts of Palm in there too. Such a great combo!
Dianne
Thanks, Jenn!
Sarah Newman
This does sound like a perfect lunch! Love the simplicity and that you're taking advantage of the seasonal, delicious mangos!
Dianne
Thank you, Sarah!
Uma
This sound very delicious and my favorite fruit Mango is here. I am going to love this salad:)
Dianne
Thanks, Uma! I hope you enjoy it.
Alisa Fleming
This looks like such a refreshing summer salad. I've actually never had hearts of palm.
Dianne
Thanks, Alisa. You should try it!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
I love any type of mango salsa...I like that you added the black beans on this!
Dianne
Thank you!
Julia
I love red pepper chili flakes with mango! This salad looks very summery and easy and delicious!
Dianne
Thank you, Julia!
Sarah
I love black beans and mangoes together! So yummy! And the heart of palm addition makes this salad really stand out!
Dianne
Thank you, Sarah!
Dreena Burton
Saw this on FB and now again wanting a mango bean salad - I think mango is SO good with beans! I need to start using hearts of palm more often, I've only done so a couple of times.
Dianne
Thanks, Dreena! You should use it more!
Vegan Heaven
What a great combo, Dianne! Perfect for spring! I LOVE mango. 🙂
Dianne
Thank you, Sina!
Wendy Barry
What could I use instead of the Hearts of Palm please?
Dianne
Hi Wendy. I'd suggest looking for a salad that's made with ingredients you enjoy, rather than trying to alter this one, because I can't guarantee that it'll turn out the way I intended if ingredients are swapped.
Cheri Gillean
What a gorgeous salad. I have never tried hearts of palm. Will have to go make a trip to the store and pick up some and a couple mangoes. I wondered how that show was.... will have to give it a try. Can't wait to try your salad. I will omit the oil as I am on the McDougall plan. Have a fabulous day.
Dianne
Thank you, Cheri! I hope you enjoy it!