Inspect the fruit color. Choose mangoes that have begun to show a color change from green to yellow, red or orange. Mangoes rarely change color completely, so a mango with green on it can still be ripe.
Squeeze the fruit gently. Ripe mangoes are firm and only give slightly under pressure. Over-ripe mangoes are soft and squishy. Select firm, almost hard mangoes if you wish to store them for several days before use.
Sniff the stem end of the mango. A ripe or nearly ripe mango produces a strong fruit aroma near the stem end.
Store the mango at room temperature for two to three days if it is not yet fully ripe. Store fully ripe mangoes in the refrigerator, unpeeled, for up to five days.