Mangu is a classic Dominican dish made with boiled and mashed green plantains that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s typically enjoyed as a breakfast, served with eggs, cheese, and sausage, and topped with pickled red onion.

mangu with pickled onions in a bowl

If you’ve ever had mofongo before, you might be wondering how mangu is any different?

Mangu is a less heavy, mashed plantain dish that makes a hearty side dish, breakfast, or snack. As mentioned above, it’s typical to enjoy this as a breakfast, paired with a few other classic sides that come together to make a meal traditionally called Los Tres Golpes.

Grocery List

green plantains, water, onions, salt and butter
See recipe card for quantities.

Step by Step Instructions

Hint: Mangu is notorious for thickening as it cools, so make sure to add enough water to get the consistency just slightly thinner than you want it to be by the time you serve.

Making Your Own Pickled Onions

This topping for mangu is 100% necessary. The acidic bite really cuts through the starchy-ness of the plantains and richness from the butter.

Making pickled onions from scratch is so simple, I highly encourage taking a minute to throw them together before starting your mangu. They’ll pickle while you cook, and be ready in time to enjoy your breakfast.

Many stores will carry them and they’re available to buy online, but when all you need is 3 simple ingredients, why not do it yourself?

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Start by mixing together a teaspoon of salt and a quarter a cup of vinegar in a bowl.
  2. Thinly slice half of a red onion and toss into the bowl with the salt and vinegar. Mix to coat and set aside to quick pickle.
mangu in a mixing bowl

Classic Dominican Pairings

Mangu is one of those dishes that has signature pairings when served in the Dominican. The key additions to transform a plate of mangu into Los Tres Golpes are:

  • A side of fried white cheese (this recipe is perfect)
  • Fried Dominican fried sausage
  • A fried egg, sunny side up or over easy

And of course, you can’t forget the pickled onions!

mangu, an egg, sausage and cheese on a plate

Buen Provecho,

Salima written in cursive
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mangu with pickled onions in a bowl

30 Minute Mangu (Dominican Mashed Plantains)

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  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: breakfast, side dish
  • Method: boiled
  • Cuisine: Dominican, Latin
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Mangu is a classic Dominican dish made with boiled and mashed green plantains that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s typically enjoyed as a breakfast, served with eggs, cheese, and sausage, and topped with pickled red onion. 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup pickled red onions
  • 4 green plantains
  • 4 tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup water + additional water for boiling the plantains
  • a pinch of salt + additional salt for salting the water

Instructions

  1. Boil the plantains. Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Peel and slice the plantains into slices small enough to fit into your pot. Once the water is boiling, toss in the plantains and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes.
  2. Mash the plantains. Strain the plantains from the water and transfer them to a pilon or bowl with the butter. Mash until they become consistent and creamy, adding water a few tablespoons at a time, until the texture is where you want it. Season with salt to taste.
  3. Fry the onions. In a saucepan, sauté the pickled onions until they begin to turn translucent.
  4. Serve. Enjoy the mangu with the fried pickled onions on top. Feel free to serve with a fried egg, fried white cheese, and Dominican sausage.

Notes

How to make the pickled onions:

Start by mixing together a teaspoon of salt and a quarter a cup of vinegar in a bowl.

Thinly slice half of a red onion and toss into the bowl with the salt and vinegar. Mix to coat and set aside to quick pickle.