I don’t know about you, but I am so excited to finally get back into grilling season. I was really craving something charred and fruity and came up with this recipe for grilled mango skewers. Cubed mango is marinated in honey and dark rum for some Caribbean flair and then lightly charred on the grill.
If you have not been introduced to the tasty realm of grilled fruit, this is your time to start! Grilled fruit skewers lead to a deliciously juicy, sweet and savory snack or complement to a larger meal. Grilled pineapple slices are very common, but have you ever tried grilling mango?
With these grilled mango skewers, you get a hit of that warm, fruity, tropical mango flavor with a touch of spice from the ginger and sweetness from the rum and honey. The grill marks turn out crispy and caramelized, adding an extra depth of flavor and texture. They are ridiculously yummy!
These mango skewers make a tasty snack on their own, but you could round out the meal by serving them alongside grilled peppers and grilled onions (a common addition).
Make a mini version of these skewers and use them as a drink garnish for my Mango Ginger Cocktail, which was inspired by the marinade in this recipe.
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Grilled Mango Ingredients
- mangoes - You want them to be ripe but not too ripe so that you can cut them nicely into cubes.
- dark rum - Works well with lime juice in marinades for sweet and savory dishes.
- honey - Make sure you have the liquid kind on hand so that it blends easily into the marinade.
- lime juice - Freshly squeezed lime juice works best.
- fresh ginger - For some bite.
- fresh cilantro - Not pictured. This is an optional garnish that complements the mangoes well. Feel free to leave it out.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
How to Make Grilled Mango Skewers
Step #1. To cut the mango for grilling: cut the ‘cheeks’ off of each side of the mangoes.
Step #2. Cut into cubes and scoop them out with a spoon or paring knife. Place them into a large zip-top bag.
Step #3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dark rum, honey, lime juice, and ginger. Add this marinade to the bag with the mangoes. Close the bag, making sure the cubes are coated. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Step #4. Grease the grill grates and preheat it to medium-high heat. Remove the mango cubes from the marinade (but reserve the marinade). Thread the cubed mango onto skewers and place them on the grill.
Step #5. Grill the mango skewers for about 3 minutes or until you see grill marks. Flip them over, brush with some of the reserved marinade and grill for another 2 minutes, or until you see grill marks on both sides.
Step #6. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve the grilled mango skewers immediately.
Mango Grilling Tips
Keep in mind that most mangoes in the grocery store are a few days off from being ripe, so be sure to plan ahead and give your mangoes enough time to ripen before grilling. This will lead to the sweetest possible mangoes.
However, you do not want them to be over-ripe or they can end up mushy and hard to keep on the skewer.
Your mangoes are ready to go when they have turned from mostly green to mostly red or orange, and are slightly soft when you press gently on the skin. You may be able to smell their sweet fragrance when you put them up to your nose, which is a sign of ripeness.
You can speed up the ripening of your mangoes by placing them in a closed, brown paper bag on your counter. Just be sure to check on them daily until they are ready.
When you are skewering the mango cubes, try to keep them straight and even as much as possible so that you can achieve more uniform grill marks.
What to Do With Leftovers
These mango skewers are best consumed immediately. If you do have leftovers, remove them from the skewers and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
They can be chopped up and added to yogurt, ice cream or porridge or made into a salsa. Try tossing them in a green salad with some chunks of goat cheese (yum!) or even blending them into this mango pineapple smoothie.
Grilled mango is a quick, fun, healthy dish option for any time you feel like firing up the grill. It pairs great with just about any commonly grilled food like chicken and steak and can be endlessly customized to suit your taste and preferences. Happy grilling!
More Delicious Grilled Food
If you tried this 🥭 Grilled Mango Skewers Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Grilled Mango Skewers
Ingredients
- 4 mangoes - ripened but still firm
- ¼ cup dark rum
- ¼ cup liquid honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice - freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger - grated
- fresh cilantro - chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cut the ‘cheeks’ off of each side of the mangoes. Cut into cubes and scoop them out with a spoon or paring knife. Place them into a large zip-top bag.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dark rum, honey, lime juice, and ginger. Add this marinade to the bag with the mangoes. Close the bag, making sure the cubes are coated. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Grease the grill grates and preheat it to medium-high heat. Remove the mango cubes from the marinade (but reserve the marinade). Thread the cubed mango onto skewers and place them on the grill.
- Grill the mango skewers for about 3 minutes or until you see grill marks. Flip them over, brush with some of the reserved marinade and grill for another 2 minutes, or until you see grill marks on both sides.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- Keep in mind that most mangoes in the grocery store are a few days off from being ripe, so be sure to plan ahead and give your mangoes enough time to ripen before grilling. This will lead to the sweetest possible mangoes.
- Your mangoes are ready to go when they have turned from mostly green to mostly red or orange, and are slightly soft when you press gently on the skin. You may be able to smell their sweet fragrance when you put them up to your nose, which is a sign of ripeness. However, you do not want them to be over-ripe or they can end up mushy and hard to keep on the skewer.
- You can speed up the ripening of your mangoes by placing them in a closed, brown paper bag on your counter. Just be sure to check on them daily until they are ready.
- When you are skewering the mango cubes, try to keep them straight and even as much as possible so that you can achieve more uniform grill marks. Leave room at the end of the skewer.
- These mango skewers are best consumed immediately. If you do have leftovers, remove them from the skewers and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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