Zesty Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe: A Refreshing Summer Treat

Cool summer breezes and a zesty Asian cucumber salad recipe collide in this refreshing dish that dances with vibrant flavors.

Crisp cucumber slices mingle with a tangy dressing that sparks excitement on your palate.

Bursting with bright herbs and a hint of sesame, this salad brings restaurant-quality magic to your kitchen.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crunch and zing that awakens your taste buds.

Quick to assemble and stunning to serve, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Chilled and light, it’s the ideal side dish for grilled meats or a standalone lunch.

You’ll want to make this again and again, sharing its deliciousness with everyone at the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 45 kcal

Servings: 5

Asian Cucumber Salad Ingredient Overview

• Rice Vinegar: Provides a bright, tangy foundation that balances the entire salad with its crisp acidity.
• Sugar: Softens the sharp edges of vinegar, creating a harmonious sweet-and-sour profile.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces a rich, nutty undertone that adds depth and authentic Asian character.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami richness and a savory complexity to the dressing.

• Garlic, Ginger: Dynamic duo that infuses the salad with warm, spicy notes and traditional Asian cuisine essence.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Sprinkles a gentle heat that awakens the palate and adds vibrant excitement.
• Sesame Seeds: Contribute a delightful crunch and toasty flavor, enhancing visual and textural appeal.

• Cucumbers: Crisp, hydrating vegetable that serves as a cool, refreshing base for the zesty dressing.
• Red Onion: Adds a sharp, pungent bite and beautiful color contrast to the green cucumbers.

Tools Needed for Asian Cucumber Salad

• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing dressing and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients until perfectly combined.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing cucumbers and chopping red onion with precision.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for creating clean, even cuts on vegetables.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients for balanced flavor.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures correct proportion of liquid ingredients in the dressing.

Making Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian Cucumber Harmony

• Dressing Creation Fresh and Vibrant Whisking together a symphony of rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes creates a magical flavor foundation that promises to dance across your taste buds.
• Cucumber Magic Crisp cucumber slices and zesty red onion chunks dive into the prepared dressing, getting perfectly coated in a tantalizing blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes that promise a refreshing culinary adventure.
• Flavor Transformation Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator allows ingredients to mingle and develop deeper, more complex flavor profiles, transforming a simple mix into a sophisticated side dish that tingles with excitement and freshness.

Tips for Zingy Asian Cucumber Salad

• Cucumber Cool-Down: Pro Tips for Your Asian Salad
• Cucumber Crunch Control: Slice cucumbers super thin using a mandoline for uniform, delicate pieces that soak up dressing perfectly. Thinner slices mean more flavor absorption and a more elegant texture.
• Spice Adventure: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance. Want a milder version? Reduce flakes. Craving fire? Add extra for a bold, zesty kick that tingles your taste buds.
• Salt and Drain Trick: Sprinkle sliced cucumbers with salt and let sit for 10 minutes before mixing. This technique draws out excess water, ensuring your salad stays crisp and doesn't become watery.
• Herb Boost: Chop fresh cilantro or mint and sprinkle on top just before serving. These herbs add a bright, refreshing layer that elevates the entire salad's flavor profile and makes it look more vibrant.
• Storage Wisdom: Best enjoyed within 24 hours. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but know the cucumbers will release more liquid over time, slightly changing the salad's original crisp texture.

Plating Asian Cucumber Salad

• Fresh Garden Party Platter: Arrange the cucumber salad on a large wooden board alongside grilled shrimp skewers and crispy wontons for a stunning appetizer spread that will impress guests.
• Cool Lunch Companion: Pack this refreshing salad as a light side dish with teriyaki chicken or Korean bulgogi, creating a balanced and vibrant midday meal that's both nutritious and exciting.
• Summer Picnic Star: Transfer the chilled salad into mason jars for a portable, elegant picnic option that stays crisp and flavorful during outdoor dining adventures, perfect for beach trips or park gatherings.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the cucumber salad into a complete meal by topping it with grilled tofu, sliced almonds, and a sprinkle of extra sesame seeds, turning a simple side into a satisfying main course.

How to Keep Asian Cucumber Salad Fresh

• Chilling Perfection: Refrigerate the salad for 2-3 hours before serving to let flavors blend and intensify, creating a more vibrant taste experience.
• Quick Crunch Control: Consume within 1-2 days for the best texture, as cucumbers tend to release water and become slightly soggy over time.
• Smart Separation Strategy: Store dressing and sliced vegetables separately if preparing in advance, mixing just before serving to maintain maximum crispness.
• Temperature Harmony: Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator for a refreshing side dish that provides a cool, zesty complement to warm main courses.

Zesty Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cool cucumber salad with Thai-inspired flavors features crisp vegetables and a tangy dressing. Refreshing ingredients blend perfectly for summer dining and provide a quick, delightful side dish you’ll crave again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cucumbers (halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced)
• ½ cup (120 ml) red onion, chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml) rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsps sugar
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger root, minced
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl until ingredients blend into a smooth, fragrant emulsion.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Slice cucumbers into delicate half-moons and finely dice red onion, creating a textural foundation for the salad with crisp, sharp elements.
3. Marination Process: Combine sliced cucumbers and diced onions with the prepared dressing, gently folding to ensure complete coating and flavor absorption, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow taste profiles to meld and intensify.
4. Serving: Stir the cucumber salad just before presenting, ensuring even distribution of the vibrant dressing and reviving the vegetables’ refreshing crunch, delivering a harmonious blend of cool, tangy, and aromatic sensations.

Notes

• Maximize Flavor Fusion: Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow ingredients to develop a deep, complex taste profile.
• Slice with Precision: Cut cucumbers and onions thinly and uniformly to ensure even dressing absorption and optimal texture.
• Dressing Technique: Whisk ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-integrated sauce that coats vegetables evenly and enhances overall flavor.
• Final Touch: Gently toss salad just before serving to revive crisp textures and redistribute the tangy, aromatic dressing for maximum taste experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 45
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg