Mango is a delicious tropical fruit that has a sweet, creamy taste and soft, pulpy texture when ripe. While mangoes are often eaten on their own, they can also be paired with other fruits to create tasty and nutritious blends. Combining mango with complementary fruits can enhance and balance the flavors in both fruits, resulting in a refreshing, flavorful blend.
Fruits that Combine Well with Mango
There are many fruits that go well with mango and blend together into delicious smoothies, juices, salsas, chutneys and more. Some top fruits to pair with mango include:
Peach
Peach and mango is a classic combination that works very well together. The sweet juiciness of ripe peaches balances out the tropical tanginess of mango. Blend peach and mango together for smoothies, or make a salsa with diced peaches and mangoes, red onion, cilantro and lime juice.
Pineapple
Pineapple and mango both have vibrant tropical flavors that complement each other perfectly. Pineapple adds extra sweetness and a hint of tartness that pairs nicely with the creamy richness of mango. Purée both fruits together for a bright, refreshing smoothie. Grilled pineapple and mango also make an amazing topping for yogurt or ice cream.
Strawberries
The sweetness of ripe strawberries goes well with the tropical mango flavor. Blend strawberries and mango together, add some lime juice and mint for a delicious fruit smoothie. You can also make a mixed fruit salsa with chopped strawberries and mangoes.
Banana
Banana is a great pairing for mango because it adds creaminess and body that balances out the tangy tropical flavor of mango. Banana and mango blends well in smoothies, juices, ice creams, yogurts, chia puddings and more.
Papaya
Papaya has a mild, sweet flavor similar to mango. Combining papaya and mango creates a very tropical tasting blend with nice harmony between both fruits. Purée papaya and mango together for smoothies, blend into yogurt, or dice both fruits for a chopped salad.
Kiwi
Kiwi adds a burst of tart, bright flavor that contrasts nicely with sweet mango. Try blending kiwi and mango for drinks, or mixing together for a fruit salsa with red onion and cilantro. The pretty green and orange colors of kiwi and mango also make them visually appealing together.
Orange
Orange juice and mango juice complement each other perfectly in smoothies and juices. Orange adds a refreshing tartness and vitamin C to balance out the rich, creamy mango. Try other orange fruits like tangerine, Clementine or blood orange to change it up.
Watermelon
Watermelon and mango are a great combo for smoothies, juices and salsas. Watermelon has a thirst quenching liquid texture and very mild sweetness that pairs nicely with mango. Blend watermelon and mango with lemon and mint for a delicious summer drink.
Lychee
Exotic lychee fruit has a floral, perfumed flavor that goes well with the tropical mango. Purée both fruits together for a smoothie, add to an arugula or chicken salad, or roast lychee and mango for an unique sauce or chutney.
Guava
Guava has a unique sweet yet tart flavor that balances mango’s rich, creamy sweetness very nicely. Try blending both into smoothies, or mixing into a fresh fruit salad. Guava and mango chutney is also a popular combo that goes well with grilled meats.
Choosing Ripe, Complementary Fruits
Using ripe, flavorful fruits is key to creating delicious mango blends. A perfectly ripe mango is soft to the touch, has a fragrant tropical aroma, and yields to gentle pressure. Depending on the variety, the skin can be yellow, orange, red or green when ripe. Avoid mangoes that are overly soft or have blemishes.
When combining mango with other fruits, select ripe, sweet specimens that will mesh well with the mango’s flavor profile. Smell and taste the fruits to ensure they are ripe and sweet. Some fruits to use when slightly underripe like pineapple, pear or banana to balance very soft ripe mango. Avoid using unripe fruits that are too sour or tannic, as they will clash with the mango.
Complementary Flavors for Mango Blends
Certain herbs, spices and other ingredients can accentuate the flavors when blending mango with other fruits. Try adding:
- Mint – Fresh mint adds a bright pop of flavor and aroma
- Lime or lemon juice – A squirt of citrus balances out the sweetness
- Ginger – Adds a little spicy kick
- Honey – For extra sweetness and body
- Vanilla – Enhances the creamy, tropical notes
- Yogurt – Adds tangy creaminess and thickness
- Coconut – Compliments the tropical vibe
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom also work well in mango blends, especially with banana, pineapple or peach. Chili powder or cayenne can add a fiery kick that balances the sweetness.
Smoothies
Blending mango with complementary fruits is a great way to make nutritious smoothies. The mango adds creaminess and body, while the other fruits contribute complementary flavors. Here are some delicious mango smoothie recipes to try:
Mango Banana Smoothie
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and pitted
- 1 ripe banana, peeled
- 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat, etc)
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 ice cubes
Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass to serve.
Mango Pineapple Smoothie
- 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and pitted
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1/4 cup coconut yogurt
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 5 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into glasses to serve.
Strawberry Mango Smoothie
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and pitted
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 2 Tbsp vanilla yogurt
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- 4 ice cubes
Add everything to a blender and puree until thick and creamy.
Salsas
Diced mango pairs beautifully with other chopped fruits like pineapple, strawberries and kiwi to make vibrant fresh salsas and fruit salads. The sweet fruit flavors balance out any spicy additions like red onion, jalapeño or chili powder. These salsas make great toppings for grilled fish or shrimp tacos, add to roasted chicken, or serve with chips for dipping.
Mango Pineapple Salsa
- 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of salt
Gently mix everything together in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving for best flavors.
Spicy Mango Strawberry Salsa
- 1 1/2 cups diced strawberries
- 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 Tbsp minced jalapeño
- 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Pinch of salt
Combine ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Juices
Mango blends deliciously with orange, pineapple, watermelon and other fruits when juiced. The mango adds natural sweetness that balances out the tartness of citrus fruits. Here are some tasty mango juice recipes:
Orange Mango Juice
- 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and pitted
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Juice the oranges, mango, pineapple and ginger through a juicer. Stir in honey if using. Pour over ice and serve.
Watermelon Mango Juice
- 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and pitted
- 1 cup coconut water
- Juice of 1 lime
- Handful of mint leaves
Juice the watermelon, mango, coconut water, lime juice and mint leaves together. Mix well and pour over ice to serve.
Pineapple Mango Carrot Juice
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and pitted
- 3 medium carrots, trimmed
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 1/2 lemon, peeled
Run all ingredients through a juicer. Stir to combine and enjoy over ice.
Jams, Chutneys & Desserts
Mango pairs nicely with stone fruits like peach, apricot and cherry when made into jams. The fruits should be slightly underripe for best gelling results. Mango also works well in chutneys, combining wonderfully with onions, garlic, ginger, vinegar and spices.
For desserts, try blending mango with berries like raspberries or strawberries and making into a sorbet. Or swirl mango puree into yogurt with banana, pineapple or other fruits. Grilled mango slices also make an amazing topping for vanilla ice cream.
Mango Peach Jam
- 4 cups diced peaches (about 6 peaches)
- 2 cups diced mango
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 1 package powdered pectin
Mix peaches, mango, lemon juice and honey in a pot. Bring to a boil, then stir in pectin. Return to boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and can or refrigerate.
Mango Strawberry Sorbet
- 2 cups mango puree (about 3 mangos)
- 2 cups strawberry puree
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tsp lime zest
- Pinch of salt
Whisk all ingredients together. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s directions.
Mango Basil Chutney
- 2 cups diced mango
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Simmer all ingredients over low heat for 30 minutes until thickened. Let cool and serve.
Final Thoughts
Mango is a versatile tropical fruit that combines deliciously with many other fruits like peach, pineapple, strawberry, kiwi, banana and orange. Blend mango with complementary fruits to make smoothies, salsas, chutneys, juices and jams bursting with bright, refreshing flavor.
Pair ripe, sweet mango with fruits that have contrasting or complementary flavors and textures. Spices, herbs and other ingredients like lime, vanilla and ginger can enhance the flavor even more. With so many tasty options, experiment with blending mango and fruits together for delicious creations.
