Thai Mango Salad with Tofu (Printable)

Juicy mango, crisp veg, golden tofu and tangy peanut sauce for a bright, satisfying Thai-inspired main.

# What You Need:

→ For the Salad

01 - 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and julienned
02 - 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 100 g red cabbage, finely shredded
05 - 1 small cucumber, seeded and thinly sliced
06 - 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
07 - 30 g fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves
08 - 30 g fresh mint leaves
09 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

→ For the Crispy Tofu

10 - 400 g firm tofu, pressed and cubed
11 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ For the Peanut Sauce

15 - 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
16 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
17 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
18 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar
19 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
20 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
21 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
22 - 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
23 - 2–3 tablespoons warm water (as needed for thinning)

# How To Make It:

01 - Prepare all vegetables and mango as instructed and combine in a large salad bowl with coriander, mint, and spring onions. Set aside.
02 - Pat tofu cubes dry with a clean towel. In a bowl, toss tofu with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper to coat evenly.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes in a single layer and fry, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden and crispy (about 10–12 minutes). Remove and drain on paper towel.
04 - Whisk together all peanut sauce ingredients in a bowl, thinning with warm water until pourable. Adjust to taste.
05 - Arrange salad on plates. Top with crispy tofu. Drizzle generously with peanut sauce and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
06 - Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crispiness.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The peanut sauce packs a tangy creaminess that feels like a secret upgrade to every forkful.
  • Even veggie skeptics find themselves going in for seconds—the colors and crunch are seriously persuasive.
02 -
  • If you skip drying your tofu thoroughly, it never crisps up and ends up a little disappointing.
  • Using fresh lime juice instead of bottled made every flavor pop in a way I didn’t expect.
03 -
  • If the peanut sauce thickens in the fridge, just stir in a splash of warm water before serving.
  • Add a little chili or sriracha to the sauce if you like things spicy—it transforms the dish.
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