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Quick & Tangy Asian Cucumber Salad

Close-up of vibrant green slices of asian cucumber salad tossed in a savory dressing and topped with sesame seeds.
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Make this refreshing, crunchy Asian cucumber salad in minutes. It uses a simple sesame soy dressing that balances tanginess and savory notes, making it an ideal, no-cook side dish for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon chili oil or red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

  1. Slice the cucumbers thinly. If using standard cucumbers, you may want to salt them lightly and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water, then gently squeeze out the moisture. If using Persian cucumbers, this step is often unnecessary.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar (or honey), and optional chili oil until the sugar dissolves. This is your sesame soy dressing.
  3. Place the sliced cucumbers in a medium bowl. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers.
  4. Toss gently to coat all the cucumber slices evenly with the dressing.
  5. Stir in the sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
  6. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Taste and adjust the dressing if necessary; add more vinegar for tang or soy sauce for salt.
  7. Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or chill for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

  • For a Korean-inspired flavor (Oi Muchim), add 1 clove of minced garlic and a pinch of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the dressing.
  • For a Japanese-style (Sunomono) variation, increase the sugar slightly and add a few slivers of fresh ginger to the dressing.
  • This salad is best eaten the day it is made for the crispest texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/asian-cucumber-salad-quick-tangy-recipe/