Star Fruit in Mango-Orange Sauce

By
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt is a cookbook author and culinary teacher who specializes in Thai cuisine.
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Updated on 04/11/21
Star fruit in mango-orange sauce

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Prep: 8 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 18 mins
Servings: 2 to 3 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
352 Calories
17g Fat
53g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 352
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 14g 72%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 17mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 44g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 117mg 587%
Calcium 57mg 4%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 701mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Star fruit may seem unusual, but you'd be surprised how many supermarkets carry this sweet and sour fruit. It's fairly accessible and often displayed with the tropical and/or imported fruits and veggies in the produce department. This special star fruit dessert is beautiful to serve and will impress dinner guests, but it's also healthy and will work with a variety of diets.

Star fruit is similar in texture and taste to apples, and while it can be eaten fresh, in this recipe the star fruit slices are lightly cooked and then served with a tropical mango-orange sauce. Topped with a drizzle of coconut milk and a sprinkling of either pomegranate seeds or cherries, this fruit dessert is completely guilt-free and satisfyingly sweet. It's also gluten-free, lactose free, and vegan. If you do want to make it a bit indulgent, top it with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. But it's sweet, tart, and creamy as is.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for star fruit in mango-orange sauce

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Place the slices of star fruit in a pot on the stove.

    Slices of star fruit in a pot

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Add the orange juice. Stir well and turn heat to high until juice begins to boil.

    Slices of star fruit in a pot with orange juice

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Lower the heat and allow the juice to simmer for 10 minutes, or until the star fruit has softened enough to easily cut into with a spoon. While cooking, gently move the slices around and turn them over so they all get cooked equally.

    Star fruit and orange juice cooking together in a pot

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Remove any more brown seeds that may loosen and surface.

    Remove seeds from the star fruit

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  6. While the star fruit is cooking, place the mango in a food processor, mini chopper, or blender. Process or blend until smooth and pureed. Set aside.

    Mango pureed in a blender

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  7. When the star fruit is nearly done, add the sugar/sweetener and stir to dissolve. Remove the pot from the heat.

    Star fruit, orange juice, and sugar in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  8. Add the mango puree, stirring well to incorporate. Taste for sweetness, adding more sugar if needed (how sweet it is will depend on the ripeness of the fruit/juice you're using).

    mango purée added to the orange juice and star fruit in the pan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  9. Portion out 3 star fruit slices per bowl with enough sauce to surround the fruit.

    Starfruit with the orange juice and mango sauce in a small bowl and in the pot

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  10. Drizzle over some coconut milk.

    Coconut milk drizzled on top of the star fruit in mango-orange sauce

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  11. Top each bowl with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds or cherry pieces, if using.

    Star fruit in mango-orange sauce topped with pomegranate seeds

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Is Star Fruit Bad for the Kidneys?

Star fruit contains oxalic acid and caramboxin. These are substances are potentially harmful to those with kidney problems and therefore, should be avoided. People who take certain prescriptions such as blood pressure medication should also avoid star fruit, because it acts as an inhibitor like grapefruit.

Tip

If the dessert is too sweet for your taste, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a little more orange juice.

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Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Muthu N, Lee SY, Phua KK, Bhore SJ. Nutritional, Medicinal and Toxicological Attributes of Star-Fruits (Averrhoa carambola L.): A Review. Bioinformation. 2016;12(12):420-424. doi:10.6026/97320630012420