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Tangy and sweet, this Asian cucumber salad is one of my go-to dishes when I want something bold and refreshing. Seasoned with rice vinegar, sesame seeds, garlic, and honey, I like that this flavorful salad is perfect for any occasion.
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“Everyone loved it! Made it as a side with the Chicken Lo Mein Recipe which was excellent also.” -Donna
Easy Asian Inspired Cucumber Salad Recipe
Add some freshness to your plate with this delicious twist on a classic cucumber salad recipe. Perfect to serve as a side dish with your favorite mains, this is a tasty way to enjoy your veggies. Light and refreshing, and tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing, there’s no bad time to enjoy this! To turn this salad into a satisfying meal, just mix in some cooked, shredded chicken.
Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cucumbers thinly sliced
- 2¼ tsp kosher salt divided
- 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger root minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp honey maple syrup works too
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ½ chile pepper finely chopped, add more or less to taste
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Thinly slice the cucumber and place them in a colander set over a large bowl. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt, then set aside to drain for 1 hour.4 cups cucumbers, 2¼ tsp kosher salt
- Rinse remaining salt off cucumbers under cold water, then pat dry.
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice wine vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and remaining kosher salt.3 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp fresh ginger root, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tsp honey, 1 clove garlic
- In a large bowl, place drained cucumbers, onion, cilantro, chile pepper, and scallions.4 cups cucumbers, ½ cup red onion, ¼ cup cilantro, ½ chile pepper, 2 scallions
- Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.1 tbsp sesame seeds
Becky’s Tips
- Don’t skip salting the cucumbers. If you do, the excess water will pool at the bottom of your serving bowl.
- A mandoline is the quickest way to slice the cucumber thinly. You can do it by hand with a knife, but get the slices as thin as you can.
- Slice the red onion as finely as you can so that it’s not too overpowering.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Asian Cucumber Salad Step by Step
Gather your ingredients.
Slice and rinse the cucumbers: Thinly slice 4 cups cucumber and place them in a colander set over a large bowl. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt, then set aside to drain for 1 hour.
Rinse remaining salt off cucumbers under cold water, then pat dry.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp fresh ginger root, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tsp honey, 1 clove garlic and remaining kosher salt.
Combine the vegetables: In a large bowl, place drained cucumbers, ½ cup onion, ¼ cup cilantro, ½ chile pepper, and 2 scallions.
Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with one tbsp sesame seeds and serve immediately.
How to Store
This salad is best served as soon as it’s ready so that the cucumbers are nice and fresh. If you aren’t serving it right away, keep it refrigerated.
If you have leftovers, they will keep well for a day or two, but you may need to drain any excess water from the bowl.
Serving Suggestions
This Asian cucumber salad is perfect to enjoy in the hot summer months, but it really is great all year round. Serve it up as a cool side with firecracker salmon or with a batch of smash burgers. I also like to serve it with baked chicken tacos.
Everyone loved it! Made it as a side with the Chicken Lo Mein Recipe which was excellent also.
What a great combo!
In list of ingredients you list 2 1/4 salt to be divided. However, you in mention 2 1/4 in both step 1 and 3. Which is it?
Use 2 teaspoons of salt in step 1 and the remaining ¼ teaspoon in step 3! The ingredient list under each step automatically shows the entire ingredient, unfortunately.
These are the leftovers for later! Super tasty and I will for sure make this again soon. 🤤 😋
Looks amazing!
Pretty and fun to make! Added sugar snap peas for extra Spring appeal!
Looks delicious!!