Easy Asian Cucumber Salad
Lightly tangy, cool, and crunchy, this Asian cucumber salad brings together crisp cucumbers, sesame oil, garlic, and rice vinegar for one refreshingly snacky bite. Quick to prep, packed with sweet-sour-salty flavor, and perfect for make-ahead lunches or as a bold side for your favorite mains.
4
side servings
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 2 (400 g) Persian or English cucumbers thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) kosher salt for salting cucumbers
Dressing
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 1 tsp (5 ml) toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp (8 g) sugar or honey, to taste
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) chili flakes more or less, to taste
- 2 (20 g) scallions thinly sliced
- 2 tsp (6 g) toasted sesame seeds
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Colander
- Knife
Instructions
- Salt the cucumbers: Toss the thinly sliced cucumbers with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Whisk the dressing: In a clean bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar (or honey), minced garlic, chili flakes, scallions, and sesame seeds. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Toss it all together: Add the drained cucumbers to the dressing and mix well to coat.
- Serve or chill: Eat right away, or chill for 10 minutes (or up to 30) for even more melded flavor.
Notes
This salad keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 days in an airtight container. Before serving, give it a quick toss—the dressing may separate.
For variations, try adding fresh cilantro, substituting honey, or tossing in carrot or radish matchsticks. Don’t freeze: the cucumbers will lose their crunch.
For variations, try adding fresh cilantro, substituting honey, or tossing in carrot or radish matchsticks. Don’t freeze: the cucumbers will lose their crunch.
Nutrition
Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 0.8mg