Mango Avocado Stack with Pesto is fresh, sweet, creamy and slightly spicy -- all at once! It's essentially a mango avocado salad built into a beautiful stack, and the combination of flavors and textures are out of this world.
Layering a few beautiful colors, textures and flavors into a gorgeous stack makes for a gorgeous and elegant first course.
With your favorite pesto -- or mine: Lemon Verbena-Basil -- between each layer of fruit, every bite is bite is filled with sparkling fresh flavors and contrasting textures.
Add lettuce, cut the mangoes and avocados into bite-sized pieces, and it's becomes a more casual mango avocado salad with pesto dressing.
While it looks a bit fancy, this comes together easily, with just a few simple ingredients.
What are the stacks made of?
- mango
- avocado
- pesto
(See recipe card below for quantities.)
You can also use any mangoes you like, depending on the season. This recipe is made with large, Keitt mangoes.
What are Keitt Mangoes?
My friends at Melissa's Produce sent me a couple of Keitt mangoes for recipe testing and I was blown away.
- Keitt mangoes weigh in at almost two pounds each! That's almost two pounds of absolute heaven.
- Keitt mangoes are much less fibrous than most varieties, resulting in a super smooth texture.
- They're also left on the tree longer than most before they're picked, which makes them unbelievably sweet.
Can you believe how amazing that looks!? No filter, my friends! This is pure natural beauty.
Serving Suggestions
- Oozing with scrumptious fresh flavors, Mango Avocado Stacks would be perfect for a spring or summer luncheon, as a main course.
- You could wow guests with them for brunch, along side a salad or even French toast!
- They would also make for a stunning appetizer to a multiple course dinner.
You can order Keitt mangoes here, or ask the produce manager at your market about them. And you can make this recipe with any mango variety you love!
Mango Pesto Avocado Stack Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large mango
- 1 large avocado
- 4 teaspoons Basil-Lemon Verbena Pesto - click here for the recipe (or any other pesto you love)
Instructions
- Prep avocado and mango. Slice the mango and avocado into thin slices, about ¼ inch. Here's How to Cut a Mango and here's How to Cut an Avocado.
- Assemble. Spread about ½ teaspoon of the pesto on two serving plates. Then alternating the mango and avocado, layer the slices between the two plates, spreading about ½ teaspoon of the pesto on every slice except the top.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil or lemon verbena. Serve!
Coco in the Kitchen
Oh, how I love mangoes.
This is just stunning. The colors, the engineering, the flavors.
Can't wait to try it.
Bet I can't make it stay stacked like you did! (Tell your son, please.)
valentina
Thank you! You are so sweet, and I'm quite sure your stack would be lovely! 😀
Roberta Stone
Right, Zack. What's more, even I could do it! Loved the Jackson Pollock example!!
valentina
Thank you, Roberta! XOXO
Boastful Food
Mangoes are my absolute favorite thing in the world, well, maybe next to gelato;) I have had these and they are incredible! This would be a nice appetizer for a tropical themed party.
valentina
Thanks so much! Mangoes are up there on my list too! LOVE them!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
I need to take a lesson on how to cut a mango.. I always get mad and end up throwing it away!!! (maybe I just need anger management haha). Anyway this looks amazing, and if I can ever figure out how to cut the silly thing, I'll make it. 😉
valentina
Sarah, here's a photo guide on how to cut a mango. 🙂 Have fun!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
What a beautiful dish, Valentina! Maybe you should challenge your son to create his own recipe! You'll never know what he'll come up with! Or...he may just have an apology for you! 😉
valentina
Ha! I thought it was funny (& cute). 😀
David
Your son and you both have points. I mean, after all, pancakes are a stack like this and they are a recipe. And so is a cake with icing. And a Dobos torte. But, wow, this sounds good - even with regular pesto!
valentina
Love it David. Thank you! I'll give my son more points any day. 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
These would be amazing to serve up at a dinner party. I just love the combination of mango and avocado!
valentina
Thank you! Enjoy!
Cynthia Rusincovitch
I love love love mango anything. Adding the avocado just makes this perfect!
valentina
Thanks so much! I feel the same way about mangoes! 🙂
sippitysup
Oh, it's a recipe for sure! GREG
valentina
Thank you!! I'll tell the kid you said so. 🙂
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Uncommonly beautiful, like all of your food.
valentina
Aww, you've made my day, Dorothy. Thank you! 🙂
Sandhya Hariharan
I really have to try this !! All my favourite things are stacked up .
valentina
Thanks! Me too -- I just love avocado and mango -- especially all in one meal. 🙂
SHANIKA
Wow, I've never seen a Mango Avocado Pesto Stack, but this sounds really good.
valentina
Oh, it is! 😀 Thanks, and I hope you try it.
Danielle
These look like amazing mangoes! I love the way you've showcased them here.
valentina
Thank you, Danielle! They truly are delicious!
Catherine Brown
Wow, this is SUPER creative! I don't think I've seen mangos that huge! Definitely want to make this though!
valentina
Thanks Catherine. I hope you come across them. So yummy! 🙂
Colleen
A beautiful dish. We love mango, and this and sounds absolutely fresh and delicious! Can't wait to try this!
valentina
Thanks, Colleen. I hope you do! 🙂
Dannii
What a colourful recipe. I love mango and avocado together too!
valentina
Thank you! Enjoy!
Julie Carlyle
Mango and Avo!! Say no more 🙂
This is such a delicious recipe with a perfect combination of flavours.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
valentina
Thanks so much, Julie! Hope you love it!
Noel Lizotte
Kids will say what's on their minds ... no matter how old they are. Mine are 25 &30 - and they still say things like this to me.
sigh. The joys of motherhood make it worthwhile.
PS - I happen to agree that this dish looks amazing! And the pesto with the mango - now there's a genius idea!
valentina
Thank you so much, Noel. Yes, finding the older the kids get, the more they say what's on their mind. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words about the recipe. ~Valentina
Emily
Oh yum. I love lemon verbena. Can't wait to try this as soon as my mangoes are ripe enough. I don't have the same kind you used, but I think it will still be good.
valentina
Any variety of avocado will work. Enjoy and thank you!
Silvia
I love this idea of stacking ingredients together. This one is ultra-chic! What a great way to also get the kids involved.
valentina
Thank you, Silvia!
Sharon
I love this stacked up mango and avocado dish. Adding the pesto to it makes it even better!
valentina
Thanks, Sharon. 🙂
Caitlyn Erhardt
Love this flavor combo! The pesto adds just the perfect touch. Thank you for sharing!
valentina
Thanks, Caitlyn. 🙂
Eha
This will make such a beautiful and unexpected Sunday brunch dish ! Love all the ingredients but so far have not used them together !
How inviting in appearance also . . . but in my case there is a winter to live thru' ere all ingredients beckon from shelves . . . well, time passes so quickly . . .
valentina
Thank you, Eha! You will have a mango before you know it. We love the Keitt Australian mangoes. 🙂 ~Valentina
Mireille
Stunning, simple, and delicious.
The combination was both surprising and lovely.
Thank you!
Valentina
Thanks so much, Mireille! So happy you like this. I love when avocado and mangos are in season. Enjoy, and thanks for visiting my site and checking out my recipes. 🙂 ~Valentina