Chilled, flavorful and incredibly fresh, this spicy Asian cucumber salad, made with cilantro, sesame oil and soy sauce, is the perfect summer side dish.
When I'm feeling too lazy to cook vegetables, especially in the summer, I often slice a cucumber, sprinkle it with salt, and serve it as a very lazy side dish.
When I'm willing to make just a little more effort, I make this tasty salad. Chilled, flavorful and incredibly fresh, it's the perfect summer side dish.
An Asian variation on the classic cucumber salad
When making cucumber salad, I almost always default to my trusted recipe for creamy cucumber salad. It's an easy recipe that pairs well with almost any main dish.
But when I make an Asian-style meal, this recipe is certainly more appropriate. I like to serve it when I make Asian meatballs, Asian glazed salmon and baked soy sauce chicken thighs.
The ingredients you'll need
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty salad (exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below):
Rice vinegar: If you don't have any on hand, it's OK to use white wine vinegar instead. I don't recommend using plain distilled vinegar, though. It's too sour, in my opinion.
Soy sauce: I use reduced-sodium soy sauce in most of my recipes. I find that traditional soy sauce is too salty. Obviously, you can also use a gluten-free alternative.
Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil is the most flavorful. I get it at Whole Foods.
Garlic: Mince it yourself or use the stuff that comes in a jar. Both work.
Red pepper flakes: They don't make the salad very spicy. They just add an interesting layer of flavor.
English cucumbers: See the discussion below on why I prefer to use English cucumbers in this recipe. Although if you can't get any, regular cucumbers work too.
Cilantro: I know that some people dislike cilantro. If you're one of them, you can use parsley instead.
How to make Asian cucumber salad
It's so easy! The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:
1. You start by mixing the dressing ingredients (everything but the cucumbers and cilantro) in a salad bowl.
2. Now add the cucumber slices and the chopped cilantro and mix.
3. Let the salad rest for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Why I prefer English cucumbers
English cucumbers are the elongated cucumbers that come wrapped in plastic to protect their unwaxed skin. They have fewer seeds than regular cucumbers and they are firmer and not as watery.
Having said that, if you can't get English cucumbers, regular cucumbers are fine.
Serve it chilled
Like all cucumber salads, this salad is best if allowed to sit a little and marinate. It is also best when served cold. So do let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes while you make the rest of your dinner. Then mix it one more time, and serve.
What dishes go with Asian cucumber salad
Not surprisingly, I like to serve it with Asian-style main dishes such as:
How to keep the leftovers
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. Toss them gently before serving.
More tasty salad recipes that you might enjoy
In addition to this Asian cucumber salad and to the classic creamy cucumber salad, I often make this super fresh asparagus salad and this delicious broccoli salad.
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Asian Cucumber Salad
INGREDIENTS
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce (or use a gluten-free alternative and add salt as needed)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salad:
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced (1 lb.)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a salad bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Add the sliced cucumbers and the cilantro.
- Gently mix to coat.
- Cover and let rest for 30 minutes in the fridge while you make the rest of your meal.
- Mix again and serve.
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living.