The Zesty Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe You’ll Love in Minutes

Cool cucumber salads revolutionize ordinary side dishes into vibrant culinary experiences that dance across your palate.

Asian cucumber salad brings together crisp, refreshing textures with tangy and slightly spicy flavor profiles that awaken your taste buds.

The delicate crunch of thinly sliced vegetables mingles with zesty seasonings, creating a harmonious blend of sensations.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between cool freshness and bold, invigorating notes that complement main courses beautifully.

Ingredients carefully selected from traditional pantry staples ensure an authentic and satisfying preparation that feels both familiar and exciting.

Light, nutritious, and remarkably simple to assemble, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels into a world of delightful Asian-inspired cuisine.

Why Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Belongs on Your Table

• Craft Unique Cucumber Slices: Angled cutting technique creates oval-shaped slices that look more elegant and professional than traditional round cuts, adding visual appeal to your salad.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Salting and refrigerating cucumbers draws out excess water, concentrating the vegetable's natural taste and allowing dressing ingredients to penetrate more deeply for a more intense flavor profile.
• Quick and Simple Asian Fusion: This recipe delivers authentic Asian-inspired flavors in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a fresh, zesty side dish that requires minimal cooking skills and just a few pantry ingredients.
• Versatile Sensory Experience: The combination of crisp cucumber texture, tangy vinegar, nutty sesame, and spicy chili oil creates a harmonious blend of tastes and sensations that tantalize your palate with every bite.

Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Ingredients

• Cucumber: Fresh, crisp vegetable with a mild flavor, best when firm and bright green without blemishes.

• Salt: Helps draw out moisture from cucumbers and enhances overall flavor.
• Sesame Oil: Adds rich, nutty aroma and authentic Asian taste.
• Light Soy Sauce: Provides savory umami depth and subtle saltiness.
• Sugar: Balances the tangy and savory flavors with a touch of sweetness.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings bright, slightly sharp acidic notes to the salad.
• Chili Oil: Adds a spicy kick and warmth to the dish.
• Sesame Seeds: Offers a subtle crunch and toasty, nutty flavor as a garnish.

How to Assemble Asian Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Prep The Cucumber

Carefully rinse the cucumber under cool water. Using a sharp knife, slice one end of the cucumber at a diagonal angle. Continue slicing the entire cucumber at the same diagonal angle, creating oval-shaped slices. The thickness can be adjusted based on personal preference.

Step 2: Salt And Drain

Transfer cucumber slices to a bowl. Sprinkle of salt over the slices. Gently mix to ensure even salt distribution. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

Step 3: Rinse Cucumber

Remove cucumber from refrigerator. Drain the released water. Quickly rinse the cucumber slices under cold water for 10 seconds to remove excess salt.

Step 4: Create Dressing

• Sesame oil
• Light soy sauce
• Sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Chili oil
• Sesame seeds

Step 5: Mix And Serve

Stir all ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Ensure the cucumber slices are evenly coated with the dressing. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately as a refreshing side dish.

Tips for Crisp Asian Cucumber Salad

• Slice Creatively: Cut cucumbers diagonally to create elegant, elongated oval shapes that maximize surface area for dressing absorption.
• Salt and Drain Strategically: Sprinkling salt helps remove excess moisture, preventing a watery salad and concentrating the cucumber's crisp texture.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator allows ingredients to meld, enhancing the overall taste profile.
• Balance Dressing Carefully: Adjust soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil to your personal heat and tanginess preferences for a customized experience.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle extra sesame seeds just before serving to add a delightful nutty crunch and visual appeal.

Storing Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Refrigeration: Store leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain its crisp texture and fresh flavor.
• Draining: Before serving stored salad, drain any excess liquid that might have accumulated and give a quick stir to redistribute the seasonings.
• Freezing: Not recommended for this salad, as cucumbers become watery and lose their crunch when frozen. Enjoy the salad fresh for the best taste and texture.

Dishes That Go with Asian Cucumber Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the refreshing cucumber salad with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose light, zesty notes will enhance the salad's bright flavors and cool texture.
• Match with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken, tofu, or fish to create a balanced meal where the cool salad cuts through the richness of the protein and provides a delightful contrast.
• Enjoy with Asian-Inspired Mains: Place this cucumber salad as a perfect side dish for stir-fries, dumplings, or noodle dishes, where its tangy and slightly spicy profile will add a fresh, vibrant element to the overall dining experience.
• Create a Light Lunch Combo: Pair with cold soba noodles or a simple rice bowl to transform the cucumber salad into a complete, satisfying meal that's both refreshing and packed with flavor.

Asian Cucumber Salad Flavor Variations

• Spicy Cucumber Fusion: Boost heat by adding extra chili oil or diced jalapeños, creating a fiery version that tingles taste buds and adds excitement to the classic recipe.
• Herb-Infused Cucumber Blend: Incorporate fresh cilantro, mint, or dill to introduce vibrant green flavors and enhance the salad's aromatic profile with a refreshing twist.
• Protein-Packed Cucumber Remix: Toss in diced tofu, grilled chicken, or shredded crab meat to transform the light side dish into a substantial and satisfying meal option.
• Pickled Cucumber Medley: Extend marinating time to 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to intensify and creating a more pronounced tangy and complex taste experience.

Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cool cucumber salads from China spark fresh summer comfort. Crisp cucumber slices dance with tangy rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes, offering a zesty side dish that refreshes your palate in minutes.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 Persian cucumbers

Seasonings:

• 0.5 teaspoons (½ tsp) salt
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) sugar
• 0.75 tablespoons (¾ tbsp) light soy sauce
• 0.75 tablespoons (¾ tbsp) rice vinegar

Oils and Garnish:

• 0.5 tablespoons (½ tbsp) sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) chili oil
• 0.5 tablespoons (½ tbsp) sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Carefully trim the ends of the cucumber, then slice diagonally to create elongated, oval-shaped pieces approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick, ensuring uniform width for consistent texture.
2. Transfer cucumber slices to a mixing bowl and generously sprinkle of salt over the surface, gently tossing to distribute evenly.
3. Place the salted cucumber mixture in the refrigerator for 20-25 minutes, allowing the salt to extract excess moisture and enhance the vegetable’s crisp texture.
4. Remove the cucumber from the refrigerator and thoroughly drain the accumulated liquid through a fine-mesh strainer.
5. Quickly rinse the cucumber slices under cool running water for 10 seconds to remove excess salt, then pat dry with clean paper towels.
6. Return the cucumber slices to the original mixing bowl and introduce sesame oil, light soy sauce, granulated sugar, rice vinegar, chili oil, and toasted sesame seeds.
7. Whisk the dressing ingredients together, ensuring complete integration and even coating of the cucumber slices.
8. Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired, serving immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.

Notes

• Slice cucumbers diagonally for an elegant, elongated shape that maximizes surface area for dressing absorption.
• Salt treatment helps reduce excess moisture, ensuring a crisp and flavorful salad texture.
• Marinating for 20 minutes allows cucumbers to develop a more concentrated flavor and softer bite.
• Quick rinse after salting prevents the dish from becoming too salty while maintaining its refreshing quality.
• Combination of sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar creates a balanced, umami-rich Asian-inspired dressing.
• Chili oil and sesame seeds add depth, subtle heat, and a nutty crunch to elevate the simple cucumber base.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 80 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg