How to Make Delicious Homemade Mango Pickle

If you’re looking to spice up your meals, there’s nothing better than a flavorful and fragrant jar of homemade mango pickle. This Indian condiment is made by combining sliced raw mangoes with an array of aromatic herbs and spices, resulting in a tangy and slightly sweet pickle that’s perfect for pairing with rice, crackers, and even sandwiches.

Making your own mango pickle is surprisingly simple and can be done with just a handful of ingredients. In this article, we’ll take you through the steps of making a delicious and authentic mango pickle that’ll be sure to impress your friends and family. From choosing the right mangoes to tweaking the spice blend to suit your preferences, we’ve got you covered!

Ingredients for Mango Pickle

For making mango pickle, you will need ripe mangoes, spices, and oil. The following are the ingredients to make the perfect homemade mango pickle:

Selection of Mangoes for Pickling

To make the perfect mango pickle, the right type of mangoes must be selected. Choose the ripe and firm mangoes that are not overly ripe as they fall apart during the pickling process.

Preparation of Mangoes

After you purchase the mangoes, wash them thoroughly and let them dry in the sun. Cut the mangoes into small pieces of equal size and add some salt to it.

The Spices for Mango Pickle

Mango pickle is a blend of spices that brings out the tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors of mango. The necessary spices include mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.

Tempering of Pickle

The process of tempering involves heating the oil and adding spices to it. This process enhances the overall flavor of the mango pickle.

Mixing of Spices with Mangoes

In a large mixing bowl, add the mangoes and spice mixture, ensuring all the mango pieces are coated with the spice mix.

Adding Oil to Mangoes

Once the mango pieces are coated with the spice mix, pour heated oil over the mango and stir well. The oil helps preserve the pickle and gives it a glossy look.

Storing the Pickle

After making the pickle, store it in a clean and dry container. Keep it in a cool and dark place for a few days to allow the spices and mango to blend well.

Shelf Life of Mango Pickle

Homemade mango pickle stays fresh for up to 1 year, provided it is stored correctly in an airtight container.

Enjoying Mango Pickle

Mango pickle is an excellent accompaniment to any meal. You can enjoy it with rice, curries, sandwiches, and many other dishes. Savor the tangy taste and spicy flavor that mango pickles have to offer.

Choosing the Right Mangoes

Making mango pickle requires the use of unripe mangoes that are firm, sour and not too mature. Depending on where you are in the country, there are different types of mangoes that you can use for this purpose. Some of the popular ones include Totapuri, Mallika, Benishan, and Banginapalli, just to name a few.

1. Check the Ripeness
To choose the right mangoes, you need to start by checking their ripeness. Look for mangoes that are green, firm and have no signs of ripeness. You can’t use ripe mangoes for pickle as they will turn mushy and spoil the pickle.

2. Touch and Smell Test
Before you buy mangoes, make sure you touch and smell them to check their texture and aroma. They should feel firm and have a sour smell that indicates they are unripe and ready to use.

3. Choose the Right Variety
Different varieties of mangoes have different textures and sourness levels that can affect the finished product. As a general rule, choose a variety that is known to be sour, like Totapuri, as this will give you the perfect taste and texture for your pickle.

4. Avoid Mangoes with Blemishes
Blemished mangoes are best avoided as they can spoil the pickle and shorten its shelf life. Look for mangoes that have a smooth, unblemished skin, and free of any cracks or bruises.

5. Pickle-Specific Mangoes
If you’re having trouble finding the right type of mango for your pickle, look for mangoes that are specifically meant for pickling. These are smaller and firmer than regular mangoes and are bred specifically for this purpose.

6. Quantity
Once you’ve decided on the variety of mangoes, the next step is to decide how much you will need. It’s best to make your judgment based on the size of your container and how much pickle you want to make. As a general rule, you will need 2-3 kg of mangoes for a standard-sized jar of pickle.

7. Clean the Mangoes
Before you start using your mangoes, make sure you clean them thoroughly, removing any dirt, grime, or pesticides that may be on them. You can do this by using a vegetable brush and soaking them in water mixed with vinegar or salt.

8. Use Uniformly-Sized Mangoes
To ensure that your pickle is evenly spiced, it is important to use mangoes that are of a similar size. This will ensure that the spices and condiments penetrate the mangoes evenly, giving the pickle a uniform taste.

9. Cut into Equal-Sized Pieces
Now that you’ve got your mangoes clean, it’s time to cut them into pieces. It’s essential that each mango piece is cut into evenly sized pieces, as this will help reduce cooking time and prevent uneven absorption of the pickle juice.

10. How Thick Should the Mango Pieces Be?
When it comes to the thickness of the mangoes, it’s best to stay between 1/2 and 3/4 inch in thickness. Pieces that are too thick will absorb too much liquid, while pieces that are too thin will disintegrate when the spices are added.

Ingredients for Mango Pickle

Making a delicious mango pickle requires a few essential ingredients. Here are five key ingredients you need to make a lip-smacking mango pickle:

Mangoes

The first and most crucial ingredient in making mango pickle is, of course, the mangoes. Choose unripe, firm, and green mangoes for the best results.

Mustard Oil

Mustard oil adds a unique flavor to the pickle and promises a longer shelf life. Use only high-quality mustard oil. Additionally, you can heat the mustard oil, cool it, and then use it to make the pickle.

Mustard Seeds and Fenugreek Seeds

Mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds give the pickle its distinct aroma and flavor. Lightly toast the seeds before using them in the recipe.

Spices

Spices such as red chili powder, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, asafoetida, garlic, and ginger add depth and complexity to the pickle.

Salt

Salt is another critical component of the mango pickle, adding flavor and aiding in preserving the pickle.

Now that you’re aware of the fundamental ingredients necessary for making a mango pickle let’s move on to the next section, which outlines the preparation process.

A Sweet Goodbye and See You Soon!

Now that you know how to make a delicious mango pickle, don’t hesitate to try more variations and add your own twist! The beauty of cooking is that you can always experiment with new ingredients and flavors. We hope that you enjoyed this recipe as much as we did writing it. Thank you for taking the time to read our article! Keep visiting our website for more mouth-watering recipes that will satisfy your cravings. Farewell and see you soon!