Substitutes for Mango: 10 Best Alternatives + FAQs!

Summer has here, which means mango season has arrived. Mangos are a delicious summer fruit that may be eaten raw or utilized in various savory and sweet dishes. The tropical fruit is available all year at shops, but it tastes best in the summer.

Mangoes are native to India, although they are grown all around Asia. They can be eaten raw, dry, or cooked in various cuisines. They may also be pureed, used in baked items, and put into chutneys, popular in Indian cuisine.

What if you’re creating a dish that calls for mangoes, but you don’t have any on hand, or your mango isn’t quite ripe? 

Peach, papaya, nectarine, Kiwi, Cantaloupe, Banana, Sweet red bell pepper, mango puree, and other fruits and vegetables are excellent mango alternatives. Other fruits with similar flavors and looks can be used as mango alternatives. So, let’s look at how to substitute mango in recipes effectively. Let’s get this party started.

1. Peach

Peaches are a fruit that has a similar orangey flesh to mangoes. They are pretty sweet and have a similar feel to mangoes. As a result, you may use them in various meals that call for mango. Peaches can be sliced up and cooked in a sauce or served cold in a fruit salad. They are frequently regarded as the most incredible mango alternative due to their striking resemblance.

You may also use them in cocktails, where you can substitute peach puree for mango puree in tropical beverages. Mangoes’ tropical flavor will still be present in peaches. They’re also comparable in color and consistency, so they’d make a great accent to any drink or food without overpowering it.

2. Papaya

Another tropical fruit that tastes best in the summer is papaya. Papayas are similar to mangoes in that they have orangey flesh and a tropical flavor. Mango may be substituted for mango in fruit dishes or drinks often served cold, such as fruit salad or sangria, and retain the tropical, tangy flavor.

Make careful to keep the papaya seeds since they are also tasty! You may also smash them and use them as a black pepper substitute.

3. Nectarine

The nectarine is a peach variation, and except for the skin, the two fruits are quite similar. Peaches have fizz on their skin, but nectarines do not. They have the same texture and tropical flavors as mangoes, so they’re an excellent alternative for mango-based foods, such as cocktails, salads, and savory dishes.

In baked meals like cakes and crumbles, nectarines also break down beautifully. You can also use them in place of peaches.

4. Kiwi

Kiwi is a fruit with a distinct appearance, flavor, and texture from mango. However, because kiwi is a tropical fruit with a tart flavor, it can substitute mango. It would help if you only used kiwis to replace cold dishes such as salads, smoothies, and drinks. They don’t work well in hot foods and can change the flavor.

On the other hand, Kiwis can add a lot of flavor to fruit salads and are frequently combined with mangoes in fruit smoothies, so the two blend well together. If you’re making a drink, smoothie, or salad, you can use kiwi instead of mango.

5. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes are a variety of melons best consumed during the summer months. They’re often eaten raw and cold and are commonly seen in fruit salads and smoothies, so they’d make an excellent substitute for mangoes in cold meals. They’re also commonly used in salads, so they’re a good substitute for mangoes in any savory salad dish.

Cantaloupes are lovely fruits that go well with any fruit salad. Although cantaloupes have a somewhat different flavor than mangoes, they may still add flavor to salads and smoothies.

6. Banana

Bananas are a fantastic alternative for various fruits since they are adaptable and readily available all year. It has an entirely distinct flavor. Banana is not the same as mango, so be careful what recipes you use. On the other hand, Mangoes may be swapped for bananas in a range of recipes, including smoothies and fruit salads, because bananas will still complement the other fruits in the salad.

In addition, it would aid in achieving a creamier consistency in smoothies.

7.  Sweet red bell pepper

Although it may seem like a stretch, the sweet red bell pepper is the most acceptable substitute for delicious meals mangoes. Although it would not be appropriate for sweet recipes such as fruit salads, it would be ideal for savory ones and is delicious whether cooked or raw.

Instead of mangoes, you could use sweet red bell pepper in a salsa or sauce recipe, which would still give the meal a terrific taste and sweetness.

8. Mango Puree

You can use mango puree in place of fresh mango. You can still obtain the same mango flavor without using the entire fruit. Mango puree may easily be found frozen at any store alternatively if you can locate fresh mango early in the year.

Then you may create mango puree and store it in the freezer for later use. Because mango puree is liquid and cannot be eaten on its own, it’s best utilized in savory foods like sauces and smoothies. As a result, mango puree should not be used in fruit salads.

9. Apricot

Apricots are related to peaches and nectarines since they are members of the peach family. They are usually more minor, but they have a tropical, sweet-tart flavor, making them an excellent mango substitute. Almost every mango meal, sweet or savory, may benefit from them.

10. Mango extract

The fruit is used to make mango extract. You may use it in various sauces, smoothies, and as a dietary supplement because it has all the vitamins found in a mango without the need for the actual fruit. Finally, mango extract is an excellent substitute for mango since it provides the same mango flavor without fruit.

Mango extract is an excellent alternative for sauces and smoothies, but you cannot use it in fruit salads because it is a liquid. It’s widely available in supermarkets and nutritional supplement stores.

Substitute for Mango in Graham Cake

Graham cake, made with graham crackers, whipped cream, and mangoes, is a popular dessert. The ingredients are stacked and then refrigerated to soften the crackers, resulting in a smooth, creamy cake. Graham cake is traditionally made with diced mangoes; however, you can use other fruit instead.

Peaches would be an excellent substitute. Depending on how you want your graham cake to taste, you may also incorporate strawberries or cherries.

Substitutes for Mango Extract

Mango extract is an excellent substitute if you genuinely needed mango taste but couldn’t get any. Mango extract is not available at every grocery. As a result, mango puree is the ideal alternative for mango extract. Mango puree usually is available in grocery shops, but you can also prepare it at home when mangoes are in season and freeze it for later use.

You may also buy mango nectar, which is easily found in the juice area of your local supermarket; however, because the taste is not particularly intense, you may need to add extra. Peach nectar or puree is an excellent substitute for mango extract because peaches have a tropical flavor comparable to mangoes. Double-check the recipe to ensure you don’t mess up the consistency if you’re using mango nectar. Put a few drops into any smoothie or pastry for a delicious mango taste.

Substitutes for Mango Chutney

Mango chutney is available in stores, but it’s much better when cooked at home. You may make peach chutney instead if you don’t have mango, which is as tasty and tart as mango chutney. If you’re genuinely pressed for time, apples will suffice. Apple chutney is also popular, and while it doesn’t taste like mango chutney, it’s a tasty addition to any cuisine.

FAQs

Is it possible to use mango instead of pineapple?

Yes, depending on what you’re attempting to create. Pineapple is a tropical fruit, but it has a distinct flavor and texture from mango because pineapples are frequently much more acidic. Pineapple is a terrific option if you’re looking for a fruit salad alternative for mango.

For savory meals, peaches might be a superior replacement. It would give the smoothie a lot of flavors. Fruit salad and salsa are the same way. However, pineapple would not be a viable alternative for spicy foods such as sauces and curries since the taste and texture are too dissimilar.

What can you use instead of mango in a smoothie?

As previously said, practically any tropical fruit would work well in a smoothie in place of mango. Smoothies are pretty adaptable, so you can substitute various components if you don’t have any on hand or want a different flavor. Fruits with similar flavor and firmness to mangoes, such as peaches, nectarines, or papayas, would be ideal. If you’re in a hurry, kiwis and cantaloupes will suffice.

Mango is a fruit, but what does it taste like?

Mango is a tropical fruit with a delicious sweet and sour taste. Mangoes have a tropical, tangy flavor that reminds me of nectarines and papayas mixed. They are delicious and perfect for the summer when ripe.

Depending on the kind of mango you consume, they can have a floral flavor, and they taste a lot like cantaloupe but with a more solid and sour flavor.

What factors should I consider while choosing a substitute?

It all depends on the meal you’re making and how crucial the mango is. You can substitute virtually any tropical fruit to create a wonderful flavor and make your recipe work if you want to replace mango in a sweeter dish like a fruit salad or a smoothie.

Peaches or nectarines, for example, would be the most significant substitution for mango in a mango salsa or sauce since they have a very similar flavor and texture, and they also cook nicely. If fresh mango is unavailable or out of season, frozen mango and mango puree are excellent substitutes. They’re great in smoothies and sauces. They’re frequently found in the frozen food department of stores.