Refreshing Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer Zest

Cool summers call for refreshing cucumber salad that bursts with zesty Asian-inspired flavors.

Crisp vegetables mingle with a punchy dressing, creating an explosion of taste.

Crunchy cucumber slices promise a delightful crunch in every bite.

Tangy and light, this dish brings instant relief from sweltering heat.

Vibrant ingredients dance together, delivering a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy notes.

Simple preparation means you can whip up this amazing salad in minutes.

Give this recipe a try and let your taste buds embark on a delicious adventure.

Why Everyone Loves Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Crush Cravings with Simplicity: This Asian cucumber salad delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for home cooks seeking delicious results without complex techniques.
• Boost Nutrition in a Snap: Packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing, the recipe offers a healthy side dish that's low-calorie and rich in vibrant nutrients for wellness-focused individuals.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Incredibly versatile, the salad allows easy ingredient swaps and heat level adjustments, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser Potential: Great for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dinner parties, this recipe impresses guests with its elegant presentation and bold Asian-inspired flavors without requiring professional cooking skills.

What’s In Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Cucumber: Fresh vegetable providing a crisp and refreshing base for the salad.
• Salt: Helps draw out excess moisture from cucumber slices, enhancing texture.

• Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Honey: A balanced blend of tangy, salty, nutty, and sweet flavors that create a harmonious dressing.
• Garlic, Red Chili Pepper: Adds a spicy and aromatic kick to the salad.

• Green Onions, Cilantro, Sesame Seeds: Provide additional layers of flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the final dish.

How To Make Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Fast

Step 1: Prep the Cucumbers

Grab fresh cucumbers and give them a thorough wash under cool running water. Gently pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This ensures your salad stays crisp and fresh.

Step 2: Slice with Precision

Using a sharp knife, slice the cucumbers into elegant diagonal pieces. Aim for thin, bite-sized segments that will make the salad easy to enjoy and visually appealing.

Step 3: Salt and Rest

Sprinkle salt over the cucumber slices and let them sit for 10 minutes. This magical technique helps draw out extra water, keeping your salad wonderfully crunchy and preventing it from becoming soggy.

Step 4: Create the Zesty Dressing

• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Honey

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes smooth and well-blended.

Step 5: Prepare Flavor Boosters

• Garlic
• Red chili pepper

These will add a punch of flavor to your salad.

Step 6: Combine and Dress

Drain any liquid from the cucumber slices and transfer them to a serving bowl. Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to ensure every slice gets a perfect coating.

Step 7: Garnish with Flair

• Green onions
• Cilantro

Sprinkle the herbs and some sesame seeds over the salad for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Step 8: Chill and Serve

Pop the salad in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle and intensify. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or light appetizer that’ll wow your taste buds with its crisp, tangy goodness.

Smart Tips For Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Drain Excess Moisture: Pat cucumbers dry and salt them to remove water, ensuring a crunchy, not soggy salad texture.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Modify red chili pepper quantity based on personal heat preference, adding more or less for desired kick.
• Balance Dressing Flavors: Taste and adjust vinegar, honey, and soy sauce ratio to create perfect sweet-tangy harmony.
• Enhance Presentation: Cut cucumbers diagonally for elegant, visually appealing bite-sized pieces that look professional.
• Maximize Freshness: Chill salad briefly before serving to blend flavors and provide a cool, refreshing appetizer or side dish.

Creative Takes On Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad: Add gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) and gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a fiery kick, creating a bold and zesty version of the original recipe.
• Japanese Sunomono Remix: Replace honey with mirin, incorporate wakame seaweed, and garnish with bonito flakes for an authentic Japanese-inspired cucumber salad experience.
• Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad: Mix in chopped peanuts, fresh mint leaves, and a splash of fish sauce to bring vibrant Thai street food flavors to the classic cucumber salad.
• Mediterranean Cucumber Salad: Swap sesame oil for olive oil, add crumbled feta cheese, diced red onions, and fresh dill to create a Mediterranean-style cucumber side dish.

What To Serve With Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Match this cucumber salad with succulent grilled chicken, tender salmon, or juicy pork tenderloin to balance the cool, tangy flavors with warm, smoky meats.
• Complement with Asian-Inspired Beverages: Enjoy alongside a chilled sake, crisp Japanese beer like Sapporo, or a light green tea that echoes the salad's refreshing and delicate profile.
• Serve with Steamed Rice Dishes: Create a complete meal by pairing the cucumber salad with fragrant jasmine or sticky white rice, allowing the bright dressing to cut through the starchy base.
• Match with Spicy Mains: Balance the salad's cool temperature with spicy Korean barbecue, Thai curry, or Sichuan-style stir-fries to create a harmonious and exciting flavor experience.

How To Keep Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Fresh

• Transfer salad to an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Moisture will naturally accumulate, so drain excess liquid before serving.
• Place a paper towel inside the container to absorb extra moisture and prevent soggy cucumbers, maintaining the salad's crisp texture.
• Store dressing separately from cucumber slices if planning to keep the salad longer than a few hours, preventing wilting and preserving the ingredients' original crunch.
• Keep the salad consistently chilled at 40°F or below to maintain food safety and preserve the vibrant flavors of the fresh ingredients.

Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Q&A

• Why salt the cucumbers before making the salad?

Salting helps remove excess moisture, preventing the salad from becoming watery and ensuring a crisp, crunchy texture that maintains the cucumber’s fresh quality.

• Can I use a different type of vinegar instead of rice vinegar?

Yes, you can substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, though rice vinegar provides the most authentic Asian flavor profile.

• How spicy will this salad be?

The spice level depends on the amount of red chili pepper used. For mild heat, use less chili; for more kick, add more or include the chili seeds for extra spiciness.

• Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This Asian cucumber salad is completely vegetarian-friendly and can easily be made vegan by ensuring the honey is replaced with agave or maple syrup.

Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cool cucumber slices dance with tangy sesame dressing in this Asian Cucumber Salad, delivering crisp refreshment and bold flavors. Sharp herbs and zesty spices create a quick, irresistible side dish you’ll crave alongside grilled meats or as a light summer starter.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cucumbers:

• 2 medium cucumbers
• 0.5 tsp salt

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 green onions
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 0.5 red chili pepper
• 1 clove garlic
• 0.25 cup chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Wash cucumbers thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Slice cucumbers into thin, diagonal pieces using a sharp knife, creating elegant, bite-sized segments.
3. Sprinkle salt over cucumber slices and let them rest for 10 minutes to draw out excess water, ensuring a crisp texture.
4. Finely mince garlic and red chili pepper, preparing them for the vibrant dressing.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey until the dressing is smooth and well-combined.
6. Drain any liquid released by the cucumber slices and transfer them to a serving bowl.
7. Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumber slices, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
8. Chop green onions and cilantro into fine pieces for garnish.
9. Sprinkle sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and cilantro over the dressed cucumber salad.
10. Chill the salad for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and enhance the overall taste profile.
11. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or light appetizer, enjoying the crisp and tangy flavor combination.

Notes

• Drain cucumbers thoroughly to prevent watery salad and maintain a crisp, refreshing texture.
• Adjust spice levels by controlling the amount of red chili pepper, making it mild or fiery based on personal preference.
• Use Persian or English cucumbers for a sweeter, less seedy result that enhances the salad’s delicate flavor profile.
• Transform this dish into a vegan-friendly option by substituting honey with agave nectar or maple syrup while keeping its authentic Asian-inspired taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg