5-Ingredient Simple Asian Cucumber Salad - Unsophisticook (2024)

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This simple Asian cucumber salad recipe is super light and refreshing... Rice vinegar and dark sesame oil, along with toasted sesame seeds, give it a delicious oriental flair!

5-Ingredient Simple Asian Cucumber Salad - Unsophisticook (1)

Asian Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad is, hands down, one of my favorite summer side dishes -- and with good reason. It's light, refreshing, and pairs well with just about any main dish. Plus cucumbers are plentiful, fresh, and dirt cheap this time of year!

I've shared my family's go-to Hungarian cucumber salad (a family heirloom recipe) and a delicious Greek cucumber salad previously. But lately I've been craving this flavorful and uber simple Asian cucumber salad... And when I say simple, I mean S-I-M-P-L-E!!!

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How To Slice Cucumbers For Asian Cucumber Salad

One thing is certain -- no matter what type of cucumber salad you're preparing, you should start by removing as much water from the cucumbers as possible to prevent any excess juice from watering down your dressing.

I start by slicing my cucumbers as thinly as possible. You can use a sharp knife for this (just as my great-grandmother always did), or you can use a mandoline (my choice) or food processor to speed up the task.

Next sprinkle the cucumbers liberally with kosher salt and toss to coat. Then place them in a colander, and set it in your kitchen sink to drain for about 30 minutes. Gently squeeze the cucumbers dry in a clean kitchen towel, then transfer them to your salad bowl.

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Asian Cucumber Salad Dressing Recipe Ingredients

The Asian cucumber salad dressing recipe comes together with just 4 ingredients, starting with rice vinegar, the secret to its bright, tangy flavor. I grabbed a bottle of rice vinegar in the Asian aisle at the grocery store, along with a bottle of dark sesame oil.

A little dark sesame oil (made from toasted sesame seeds) goes a long way, packing tons of nutty flavor. But don't be afraid to go for the larger bottles of each -- I predict this yummy Asian side dish is going to be on repeat this summer!

To the rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil, we'll just add a little sugar and salt for balance, producing a light and bright Asian vinaigrette. Whisk it all together and drizzle it over your cool, crisp, thinly sliced cucumbers.

PRO TIP: Marinated salads like this always improve over time. Refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes after preparing to allow the flavors to develop, and it will keep for at least five days in the refrigerator. Or so I've heard -- leftovers are usually gone by the next morning in our house!

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Asian Cucumber Salad With Sesame Oil & Seeds

If you want to keep your Asian cucumber salad super simple, you can serve it as is. ButI like to finish the salad off with some toasted sesame seeds. In this case, I used black sesame seeds, because they look so striking against the pale cucumbers, but yellow sesame seeds will do just fine!

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Simple Asian Cucumber Salad

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This simple Asian cucumber salad recipe is super light and refreshing... Rice vinegar and dark sesame oil, along with toasted sesame seeds, give it a delicious oriental flair!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Wash the cucumbers and slice them very thin with a mandoline.
  2. Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, mix, and place them in a colander. Set it in your kitchen sink to drain for about 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar in a medium bowl.
  4. Gently squeeze the cucumbers dry in a clean kitchen towel, then transfer them to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine.
  5. Season with additional salt to taste, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, as desired.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 servingsServing Size: ½ cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 65Total Fat: 03.5gSaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 0.0mgSodium: 581.4mgCarbohydrates: 7.7gFiber: 0.5gSugar: 6.1gProtein: 1.5g

Have you tried this recipe?

Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag it @unsophisticook and hashtag it #unsophisticook!

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More Asian Side Dishes

Looking for more Asian side dish recipes? I've got a few more tried and true recipes:

  • Coconut Milk Rice -- this simple coconut milk rice recipe is a total family favorite. Savory, with a very mild coconut flavor, it’s also the perfect base for tacos, fried rice, meal prep bowls, and more!
  • Broccoli Slaw with Ramen Noodles -- a crunchy and colorful ramen noodle salad that's perfect for potlucks and beyond!

Try one or all with these pork lettuce wraps or this peanut butter chicken recipe for a tasty and easy Asian-inspired dinner!

I'd love to see how your Asian cucumber salad turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!

5-Ingredient Simple Asian Cucumber Salad - Unsophisticook (2024)

FAQs

What is Asian cucumber salad made of? ›

Place cucumber slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt; set aside to drain for 1 hour. Whisk vinegar and sugar together until sugar is dissolved. Add sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds; stir. Rinse salt off cucumber slices by running under cold water; place in a large bowl with sliced red chile peppers.

Why soak cucumbers in salt water before making cucumber salad? ›

It's just extra-good. I definitely don't always have it together enough to actually do this step, and the salad is delicious either way. The soaking will help the cucumbers to lose less water (so they won't make the dressing watery – IF you drain them well, that is) and they're super cold and crunchy.

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery? ›

The solution: The standard recommendation for ridding watery vegetable such as cucumbers of unwanted moisture is to salt them. The salt draws out the liquid from the vegetable because of the natural tendency of salt water solutions to equalize when mixed together.

What does a cucumber salad contain? ›

This cucumber salad recipe features thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, fresh dill, and a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing. Cooling and refreshing, this summer salad is a perfect BBQ or picnic side dish.

Why are Japanese cucumbers so good? ›

Japanese cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, folic acid, potassium, and silica, which is a trace mineral that helps strengthen connective tissue. Japanese cucumbers in pickled form are an essential component in Japanese cuisine.

Can you eat Asian cucumbers raw? ›

When small, Asian cucumbers are eaten like other cumbers, raw or pickles, but when they grow up, Asian cucumbers assume more of a sweet melon quality, at which point many of our Cambodian farmers recommend eating them with yogurt and honey. Large Asian cucumbers are also sometimes added to soups.

How do you fix too much vinegar in cucumber salad? ›

Sugar: I don't like sweet salad dressings, but I think a teaspoon (or two) of sugar balances the vinegar in this cucumber salad.

How do you draw moisture out of cucumbers? ›

When you salt cucumber pieces or slices and let them sit for 30 minutes in a colander, the salt draws out excess moisture which then drains away. This means that the cucumber will release less water into whatever dish you're adding it to, such as tzatziki, tabbouleh, Greek salad, or potato salad.

Can I eat cucumber salad everyday? ›

Again, human studies are needed before sweeping recommendations about eating cucumber can be made. But, cucumber is a low-calorie fruit with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so including it in your diet is always a good idea.

What kind of cucumber is best for salads? ›

Long English Cucumber

Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that's easy to digest. The best part: you don't even need to peel them—just slice 'em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!

Should I peel cucumber for salad? ›

Should you peel your cucumbers for cucumber salad? Again, it depends on the variety and maturity of the cucumber. English or Persian cucumbers have thin skins which you do not need to peel. Regular market cucumbers may have thicker peels that can be tough and bitter, so it's best to peel those.

What is an Asian cucumber like vegetable? ›

Moqua: Shaped like a cucumber with splotchy green skin, this “hairy gourd” has a light, neutral flavor like a zucchini, which makes it a versatile cucurbit to cook with. It can also be pickled or used to make a refreshing drink.

Are Asian cucumbers good for you? ›

The FRUIT might also help protect against stomach ulcers. Chinese cucumber ROOT contains a chemical that might cause abortions when injected during the first trimester of pregnancy. Chinese cucumber SEED might help decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). The FRUIT might also help protect against stomach ulcers.

What is the difference between Japanese cucumbers and regular cucumbers? ›

The Japanese cucumber has several advantages over common cucumbers. It is slender, thin-skinned, void of developed seeds, never bitter and entirely edible. The average harvested length is about four inches, while the cucumber is still young. Its skin is forest green and smooth with longitudinal grooves.

What is the Japanese cucumber like vegetable? ›

Today we begin with one of Japan's most common vegetables that's used on a daily basis and that is the Japanese Cucumber! It is known as “Kyuri” in Nihongo and I have to say that this has become my favorite type of cucumber! Like other cucumber varieties, the Japanese cucumber has a light and crisp taste.

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