Mango Pickle Recipe
Updated: April 25, 2023, By Swasthi
Mango Pickle is a traditional Indian condiment made with raw unripe green mangoes, spices and oil. In India, pickles are relished as a side in every meal. It is eaten with dal-rice, dal-roti, parathas & even with many breakfast dishes. Indian cuisine is diverse so a Mango Pickle is made in many different ways. I am sharing the easiest recipe to make it at home.
About Mango Pickle
Mango Pickle is a Indian pickle variety made with raw unripe green mangoes, pickling spices and oil. Aam chunda, Punjabi aam ka achar, Rajasthani aam ka achar, mavinakayi uppinakayi, Maagaya, Avakaya & Vadu mango pickle are some of the most well known mango pickle varieties made in India.
Traditionally, chopped mangoes are pickled with spices and oil in large ceramic pots known as bharani or barni. The ingredients ferment as the mango pickle ages and develops tons of flavor and deliciousness.
Avakaya is one of the popular variety of pickle made in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Telugu-speaking South Indian states. Both these states are immensely known for hot and spicy foods. This Mango Pickle is a similar but toned down version which is also simpler to make.
My Recipe
Though I have tried so many recipes, this recipe is special to me as it is very flavorful & easy to make. This can be made with any kind of raw sour green mangoes and can be consumed after 3 days of preparing it.
I tested & retested this recipe countless number of times so I have updated lot of tips for better shelf-life.
This Mango Pickle keeps good for a couple of months at room temperature if you take good care. It keeps good in the refrigerator for 6 to 7 months. If you plan to store it for an year then do check out this traditional recipe of Andhra avakaya here.
You may like these pickle recipes
Andhra style tomato pickle
Lemon Pickle
Carrot pickle
Cauliflower pickle
Ginger pickle
Amla pickle
Photo Guide
How to make Mango Pickle (Stepwise Photos)
Preparation
1.This step is for better shelf-life. If you skip this step, you have to refrigerate the pickle right away after making it. To make mango pickle, firstly make sure all the following are completely dry and free from moisture. It is ideal to sun dry all of them for a few hours. If you do not have sunlight, then wipe with a clean dry cloth and keep them in a dry place the previous night.
- 1 mixing bowl
- 2 large spoon
- 1 small blender jar (or spice jar)
- 1 chopping board
- 2 knives (1 small & 1 large)
- work area (has to be super clean and dry)
2. Dry roast half teaspoon methi seeds on a low flame till they begin to smell good. Transfer these to a plate. To the same hot pan, add 3 tablespoons oil and allow it to warm up. Set aside to cool completely. You can skip warming the oil if you intend to finish it with in 10 to 12 days. If using cold pressed oil, skip heating the oil.
3. Powder 1 tablespoon mustard seeds and ½ teaspoon roasted methi seeds in a blender to a fine or coarse powder to suit your liking. A fine powder needs less oil for the pickle.
Cut the Mango
4. Wash 1 large mango (or 2 medium) well under running water. I prefer to soak mango in salted water for 30 minutes, scrub it with additional salt and wash off. If you are using organic mango, you can just wash it well and use. Dry it thoroughly. Wipe off with an absorbent cloth or tissue.
5. Chop them to slightly large cubes of 1 by 1 inch. Smaller pieces tend to turn very soft and mushy when stored for longer. Also I used up the left over pulp on the mango. I finely chopped it as well. They turn soft and add volume to the pickle gravy.
Optional – for extra shelf-life
You can skip this step if you are going to refrigerate the mango pickle right away after making it. If you prefer to store it for a few months at room temperature, then sun dry all the spice powders, garlic, salt and chopped mangoes for 4 to 5 hours. This has to be done in hot sun. If you do not have sunlight, then keep them in the oven set to 60 to 70 C (140 to 160 F) for 1 hour, with the oven door left ajar.
Spread the spice powders in a plate. Then garlic & chopped mangoes in a separate tray. Place them under sun or in oven. (I don’t keep the salt in oven). Later cool them and follow the recipe steps.
Make the Mango Pickle
6. To a large mixing bowl, add 1 ¼ cup mango cubes, 3 tablespoons red chili powder, mustard methi powder from the grinder, 1 ½ teaspoon salt and 4 lightly crushed garlic cloves.
7. Add oil we warmed up earlier. Ensure it is cool before adding to the mixture.
8. Mix everything well. The mixture looks dark and dry at this stage.
9. Cover it and set aside in a dry place for 24 hours. Avoid keeping in the kitchen as it is usually a place filled with humidity due to cooking.
10. After 24 to 28 hours, mango releases moisture or juices. Mix well with a dry spoon. Some kind of mangoes just don’t release any juices so it may still be dry after a day. Taste test and add more salt if needed. You will get to see this yummy hot spicy mango pickle ready.
It may taste slightly pungent and bitter for a week or so. But as the pickle ages it will be just fine.
Store mango pickle in a glass or ceramic jar. Do not use plastic jars for storing pickles, the taste of the pickle changes and it is unhealthy to use plastic containers for storing pickles. Serve with rice, paratha, idli , dosa and curd rice.
Pro Tips
Shelf-life: If you do not have sunlight in the place you live, then you can skip all the sun drying process you can skip the step but ensure you refrigerate the pickle after 24 hours. Alternately you can also heat them in the oven. This has worked out super good to me & my pickles stay at room temperature for several months.
Red chilli powder: I have used fresh byadgi chili powder from India which gives a bright color. Kashmiri chili powder too works good. If you are using any other store bought powder that is hot, then you may need to cut down the quantity.
Quantities: This mango pickle is more of a gravy like consistency rather than dry, since it is mostly relished with plain white rice. To make a pickle with lesser gravy, use half the amount of oil, chilli, mustard and methi powder.
Related Recipes
Recipe Card
Mango Pickle Recipe
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )
- 1 ¼ cup mango pieces cubed (heaped cup, 1 medium mango)
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds or 2 tbsp. mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon methi seeds (fenugreek seeds)
- 3 tablespoon red chili powder (use low heat spice powder, or adjust to taste)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt adjust as needed
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 3 tablespoon oil
Instructions
Preparation
- Choose raw, fresh and unripe green mango that is firm and has a clear skin. Wash and dry mango thoroughly. Wipe clean with a cloth. Do this the previous night.
- If possible sun dry the jar and other utensils used for making pickle, Make sure all the bowls, spoons, chopping board and knife are dry. These precautions will increase the shelf life of the mango pickle.
- Dry roast methi seeds on a low flame until deep golden and aromatic. Transfer to a plate and cool them completely.
- To the same pan, pour oil and heat it up until slightly warm. Set aside to cool completely. You can skip warming the oil if you intend to finish the mango pickle within 10 to 12 days. Skip heating if using cold pressed oil.
- Blend methi seeds along with mustard seeds to a fine powder. Crush garlic.
- Chop mangoes to slightly large cubes of 1 inch, using a large knife.
- Optional for shelf-life: Sun dry each separately – spice powders, salt, garlic and chopped mangoes. Alternately you may heat them in oven at 60 to 70 C (140 to 160F) for 1 hour (avoid keeping salt in oven)
How to make Mango Pickle
- Add them to a dry bowl, along with red chili powder, mustard powder, salt and lightly crushed garlic.
- Pour the oil and mix well. The pickle will be dry at this stage. Cover and set aside for 24 to 28 hours in a dry place.
- After 24 to 28 hours, mango pieces will release juices and the consistency of the pickle will change. Check the step-by-step photos above. Stir mango pickle well and taste test it. If needed add more salt.
- Store this mango pickle in a clean dry glass jar. Store it in the refrigerator after 24 hours. If storing at room temperature avoid storing in the kitchen or places with high moisture.
- It will be ready to serve after 3 days but it tastes best as it ages.
- Use dry clean spoons every time you use. After every use, wipe off the sides of the jar with a clean tissue or dry cloth to avoid mold.
Notes
- If you do not prefer to store the pickle at room temperature, you may skip the sun drying process.
- I have tried this many times even in the oven. My pickle lasts at room temperature for several months.
Video
Watch Mango Pickle Video
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
About Swasthi
I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me
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Comments
Superb
Hi, I was really happy to find this recipe because here in Mexico It’s almost impossible to find mango pickles, and I found green mangoes to make this receipt. But today, after 3 days, my pickles started to bubble. They smell good, but they are bubbling. Is it normal?
Thank you!
Hi Rogelio,
Bubbling is a part of fermentation. It is not a problem. Give a good mix and move to the refrigerator. If it is too hot & left at room temperature, the bubbling can double or triple in a few weeks and the pickle may overflow. This never happens with Indian mangoes but elsewhere I heard this happens. Please share back your experience after a week or 2. This may help other readers trying to make this. Thank you
Hi – Greetings. My hearty thanks for the mango pickle recipe which improved my skill in preparing a better puckle this time unlike last attempt in which the pickle was too damn hot, and somewhat bitter due to excess hot chilly powder and excess methi powder. Thanks to you this time my pickle tastes just right for all in the family and friends.
Hi Shaik,
So glad to read this! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out.
Is it the same as Mango Atchar?
nice work
Thank you for sharing this blog.
Hi,
That was great.. I tried and it came out really good. I had filled pickle in 2 boxes one box was slightly open without my knowledge it tastes little different like fermented one another bottle is super tasty avakai. Is there any way to fix please let me know.
Hi,
I’m not sure if that is good to consume. There is no way to fix. I think you shouldn’t worry if it has just fermented and not got mold.
Recipe instructions say to rush garlic, but video shows the cloves being used whole. Which do you prefer?
Jenni,
In the stepwise pictures garlic is crushed. In the video they are sliced. You can also add them whole if they are small.
Made this mango pickle with 10 mangoes. Turned out awesome. Shared with my sis and parents. Thank you
Glad to know Gargi. Thank you
Which oil is used here?
You can use any cooking oil you use for your regular cooking like Peanut or sunflower oil.
Made a small batch with semi ripe mangoes. They were not sour so I had to add half a teaspoon citric acid. It turned out delish! Perfect just like the traditional mango pickle.
So good to hear that Tara! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out.
Great recipe but as usual with Americans, you have to read the history, why and wherefore before you get to the actual recipe.
Thanks Lynn
.
Sorry Luke, You don’t need to peel the mango. I have the stepwise photos and videos. Please check them
Hi Mrs. Swasthi, do I need to peel the mango?
Hi Luke, No you don’t need to peel
made this and its was so quick and perfect… used raw nd semi ripe mangoes so the taste was tangy sweet… so so delicious cannot wait to have it for dinner with daal and rice
Wow! That’s Awesome!
Happy to know Patricia!
What is the difference between your avakaya and this mango pickle? I have about 12 peda rasalu & confused about choosing between these 2 recipes. Please help. I have made many recipes from your blog and they turn out good.
Hi Sarita,
Actually avakaya has a much more stronger and pungent flavor. This mango pickle is the milder version to make in smaller quantities and can be made anytime of the year (except during monsoon). Even the process is different. In avakaya recipe, special steps are taken to keep the mango pieces firm for longer, like dipping in oil. This method is easier, you just mix and dump them in a jar. I don’t make avakaya without help but this pickle is easy. First I am not sure if you can use rasalu for avakaya. Please find out locally where you live. Thanks for trying the recipes. Hope this helps
Thank you for the recipe. My pickle turned out awesome but was dry for 2 days. I left out for 3 days like you did for avakaya it turned out just perfect. The 3 red day it released lots of juices. Thank you again
Glad to know Archana. Thank you
Last evening I found a small jar of this mango pickle in the fridge that I made using your recipe, an year ago. It smells so good and delicious with tons of flavors. Made some rice and dal tadka to go with that. Absolutely delicious meal. Thank you! I will be making another batch this year.
Glad to know Julie. Thanks for letting me know.
Can I use mustard oil. Should I heat it or add the raw oil.
Hi Preet,
Yes you can use. Heat until smoking hot, cool down and add. Though not a healthier way, this step ensures we don’t get a stomach problem.
Thank you turned out very good. Half the jar finished in 2 days. Will be making your avakaya soon. Waiting for good mangoes to arrive
Wow! That’s Awesome! Yes give it a try.
Swasthi, Thank you. I made this mango pickle and it turned out exactly like yours in the pictures. It was a bit dry for 2 days. But today morning on the 4th day. It is perfect and smells great.
Glad to know Sumathi.
Thanks for letting me know how it turned out.
Hi, I want to make this but I wanted to know if I can used pre-dried mango for it. And if so what is the best type to buy? Thanks!
Liz,
Try with sour mangoes
Ty swasthi. Like amchur slices?
Now I remember the process is completely different with dried mango pieces. We usually rest salt and fresh mango pieces for 2 to 3 days so the mango pieces let out the moisture/ juice. This juice is kept under the sun and then mixed with dried mangoes and the other ingredients. Without that juice pickle turns out dry.