Crab Mango and Avocado Salad with Chile- Lime Dressing
Updated Jul 12, 2025, Published Apr 24, 2018
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Crab, Mango, and Avocado Salad with Chile-Lime Dressing served on endive or romaine lettuce is a flavor explosion! Light, refreshing, and full of bold flavors, this easy no-cook appetizer or light lunch is bright, tangy, and beautifully balanced. Whether you’re entertaining or just treating yourself, this vibrant salad is a delicious way to cool down and spice things up.
Here’s a super light and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for serving outdoors around the pool and for every outdoor occasion this spring and summer! It’s got ALL the summery flavors going on–Crab Mango and Avocado Salad with Chile-Lime Dressing in Endive!
This is one of those easy-peasy appetizers you want to have in your arsenal. A little prep work and mama! It’s super-impressive and perfect for entertaining in warm weather!
Tips for buying and storing mangos:
It can be tough finding a good mango that’s not funky on the inside.
- Make sure the mango has JUST a little “squeeze” to it and it looks good on the outside.
- A mango that’s past its prime is going to be extremely soft and just won’t look good. Here’s a mango shopping guide from Saveur magazine: How to Pick the Perfect Ripe Mango.
- I like to store mangoes in the refrigerator because they can go from ripe to ridiculously over-ripe in no time! Let the mango sit at room temperature for an hour or two before using it.
How to dice a mango:
- To easily dice a mango, slice down from the stem end, avoiding the large pit.
- Then take a sharp paring knife and simply make cuts in the mango flesh as follows:
- Use the dull end of the chef’s knife or paring knife and simply cut the already diced flesh from the mango half and place it in a bowl.
- Add the other ingredients and ta-daahhh! A delicious, summery salad ready to serve in numerous ways!
Place this salad in avocado halves for a lovely light lunch or as shown here, place it in endive leaves. The cilantro, mango, avocado, lime, a touch of shallot makes for a lovely bite to serve all spring and summer long!
PRO TIP! Here’s a tip to get the endive leaves to lie “still” and not roll around on your serving platter. Simply shave a small amount from the bottom/outside of each one with a sharp paring knife to create a flat surface.
Here are more bright and lively tropically-inspired appetizers!
- Shrimp Skewers with Mango – Pineapple Salsa
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Mango Gazpacho
- Halibut Ceviche
- 20 Best Easy Crab Appetizers for all things crab appetizer!
Crab Mango and Avocado Salad with Chile-Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 large serrano chile, minced
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cans (6-ounce each) lump crab, drained
- 1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 large mango, peeled, pitted and diced
- 2 large limes, juiced (3-4 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4-5 large heads Belgian endive, separated into 20 – 24 leaves
- Lime wedges and cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine first 9 ingredients in a small bowl.
- Place equal amounts of the salad in each endive leaf. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs.
Notes
- Shrimp works well in place of crab.
- Pineapple works well in place of mango.
- Place the salad in avocado halves for a lovely light lunch or starter.
- Make sure the mango has a little “squeeze” to it and looks good on the outside.
- To get the endive leaves to lie “still” and not roll around on your serving platter, shave a small amount from the bottom/outside of each one with a sharp paring knife to create a flat surface.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Can you mix this up a day in advance and then place it in the endive leaves the day of?
Hi, Kristin, Thanks so much for your question. You could mix up the crab part but leave the mango and avocado out. Dice the mango but store it separately. The acid in the salad would soften the mango up too much and won’t have a very fresh appearance or texture. When you want to serve, just add the mango you’ve already diced and then fold in freshly cut avocado. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
Great make ahead appetizer. This came out delicious with lots of vibrant flavors.
I really really love this – I’m inspired. Has all the flavors I love. Presents like a dish you’ve labored over but really, it’s simple. Love that photo of the water on the lime. Lovely.
Thank you, Beth!
I really really love this – I’m inspired. Has all the flavors I love. Presents like a dish you’ve labored over but really, it’s simple. Love that photo of the water on the lime. Lovely.
I really really love this – I’m inspired. Has all the flavors I love. Presents like a dish you’ve labored over but really, it’s simple. Love that photo of the water on the lime. Lovely.
You had me at the word “Crab” and I just fell more in love with this recipe with each additional word!
Thanks, Coleen!
You had me at the word “Crab” and I just fell more in love with this recipe with each additional word!
You had me at the word “Crab” and I just fell more in love with this recipe with each additional word!