Island-Style Mango and Coconut Rice Salad
A refreshing tropical salad combining sweet mango, creamy coconut, and fragrant jasmine rice, perfect for a light meal or side dish. This caribbean-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs jasmine rice, water, large, diced ripe mango for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 large, diced ripe mango
- 1/4 cup, toasted shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed rice and 1.5 cups water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Step 2: Remove rice from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and transfer to a large bowl to cool to room temperature.
- Step 3: While rice cools, toast 1/4 cup shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant; remove from heat.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 tbsp honey until honey dissolves.
- Step 5: Add 1 large diced ripe mango, toasted shredded coconut, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves to the cooled rice. Pour lime-honey dressing over the mixture, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Gently toss all ingredients until evenly combined and flavors meld, then serve chilled or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Island-Style Mango and Coconut Rice Salad take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Island-Style Mango and Coconut Rice Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep jasmine rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Island-Style Mango and Coconut Rice Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Island-Style Mango and Coconut Rice Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Island-Style Mango and Coconut Rice Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Authentic Caribbean flavors in under 30 minutes. Added extra lime for brightness—game changer!
- ★★★★★
My kids begged for seconds on this. The coconut milk made the rice so fragrant without being heavy.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Served this with jerk chicken and the mango-coconut balance was perfect for summer dinners.