Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber

    about 8 oz., 226 g

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic

    minced

  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Korean chili powder or regular chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • sesame seeds for garnishing

Directions

  1. 1

    Rinse the cucumber thoroughly and slice it into pieces. Add the salt to the cucumber, stir gently to combine well. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

  2. 2

    Combine the garlic, vinegar, sugar, chili powder, chili oil, and sesame oil together, stir to mix well. Make sure that the sugar is completely dissolved.

  3. 3

    Drain the salt water from the cucumber. Add the dressing to the cucumber, toss well. Top with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

4.6(473)20 min2 servings

Similar Recipes

Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

<p>An easy Asian Cucumber Salad with vibrant, sweet and sour Sesame Garlic dressing. This salad is refreshing treat for all&nbsp; Cucumber Salad Lovers.&nbsp; Sliced cucumbers with quick mix of dressing, and it is The perfect addition to summer meal.&nbsp;</p><p>Dressing is vinegar based and is lite without any dairy, too-much oil, or nuts. (I'm also sharing tips to make an always-crunchy-not-watery-cucumber-salad. Don't miss to read.)</p><p><amp-img alt="Easy Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe" height="1094" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p>Today's recipe is inspired from a local Asian Dumpling restaurant. This cucumber salad is their top seller. I usually don't order simple salads for starters but a filling, layered, full-meal kinda salad is my thing. </p><p>One day, Vishal insisted me to try this Cucumber Salad. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Salad was two spiralized mini Asian seedless cucumbers with drizzle of sweet and sour dressing. With aroma of sesame oil, first sweet and sour flavor the taste buds, then crunchy cucumber and it finishes with a tiny bit lingering heat.&nbsp;</p><p>I recommend three things when trying this salad:</p><p>1. Don't skimp on dressing. Drizzle some on salad. Save some to use before eating.<br>2. Keep heat low. It does not hit taste buds until bite is finished. If unsure, try dressing with a slice of cucumber to test.<br>3. For best flavor, serve salad chilled.</p><p><amp-img alt="Tangy Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Salad" height="1124" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p><strong>Always Crunchy Cucumber Salad</strong></p><p>Even an easy Cucumber Salad such as this can get tricky when cucumber starts to release water and eventually loose crunch.</p><p>Fact is, vegetables like Cucumber, Summer Squash are filled with water. As soon as salt or acid comes in contact with sliced cucumber or zucchini, these release most water out. To prevent this (or more realistically minimize it), I use following methods to prepare a crunchy Cucumber Salad:</p><p><strong>1. Make Salad Just Before Serving:</strong></p><p>This is the easiest and simplest method ever. Make Salad Dressing and store in separate container. It stays good for more than 2 weeks. Slice cucumber slightly thick slices. Just before serving, drizzle dressing on top, and season with pinch of salt. Serve immediately.</p><p><strong>2. Salt Cure Cucumber (make cucumber giveaway most water):</strong></p><p>It is the most common method used to draw moisture out of vegetables. Slice the cucumber and sprinkle slightly with salt on both sides. Leave aside in strainer for 15-20 minutes. You will be amazed how much water 2 cucumbers yield in matter of 15-20 minutes. Once drained, then transfer to paper towel to soak extra moisture hanging outside completely. Or Pat dry with clean paper towel.</p><p><amp-img alt="Draining Water Thin Sliced Cucumber " height="1125" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p>That's it. These 20 minutes are a huge investment in making a perfect Cucumber Salad. A cucumber salad that you will not find in pool of water. This cured cucumber can be used for all kind cucumber salad. Traditional creamy, or lite such as today's recipe.</p><p><strong>Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing:</strong></p><p>A perfect Asian salad dressing is sweet, tangy and has bit of heat. You can add these three flavors with many ingredients. I used following for this recipe.</p><p>For Cucumber Salad, vinegar dressing is my favorite. It keeps salad lite, tangy, and add big punch of flavor. I used Rice Vinegar (unseasoned) which is perfect for that distinct refreshing Asian flavor. Unseasoned vinegar helps control the salt of recipe. Since dressing also has soy and sambal. It is best to use unseasoned vinegar to adjust the seasoning.</p><p>For sweetness, I use regular sugar. It is important to mix it well so it dissolved fully. You can also use honey, agave, palm nectar, or no-sugar sweet substitutes if you prefer.</p><p>Oh, have you tried my <a href="https://www.chefdehome.com/recipes/856/chinese-chicken-salad" target="_blank" title="Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe">Chinese Chicken Salad</a> with Honey-Mustard dressing? That dressing is also sweet and sour but uses mustard and honey. Must try!</p><p><amp-img alt="Spiralized Cucumber Salad with Asian Salad Dressing" height="1086" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p><strong>Spiralized or Thin Sliced:</strong></p><p>This salad is very forgiving. Use your favorite method of slicing cucumber. I prefer to spiralize it when serving immediately. When bringing to potluck or serving later, I prefer thick sliced cucumber.</p><p>If you love cucumber, this will be your favorite salad all summer long. Simple, easy yet bold pack-a-punch sweet-sour flavor.. It always makes a statement when I serve it to my guests. In-fact, recipe is so quick, I even make some for weekend grilling. I hope you will enjoy it as mush as we do.</p><p>Wish you a wonderful day ahead. </p><p><amp-img alt="Asian Cucumber Salad vinegar dressing makes sweet and sour salad" height="2775" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 740px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/740/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/740/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 740w" width="740"></amp-img></p><p></p>

25 minutes0 salad bowl

Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 473 ratings

rasamalaysia.com
4.6(473 reviews)
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Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Craving a vibrant, refreshing side dish that comes together in a flash? This Asian Cucumber Salad delivers big flavor with minimal effort, ready to brighten any meal in just 20 minutes total.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe shines through its brilliant simplicity and harmonious balance. With just a handful of pantry staples like garlic, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of chili, you're able to create a complex sweet, sour, salty, and subtly spicy dressing that perfectly complements the crispness of fresh cucumber. It's an effortlessly quick way to add a burst of freshness to your table.

What to Expect

You can expect a remarkably refreshing salad that offers a delightful textural contrast. Each bite delivers the satisfying crunch of cool cucumber, coated in a bright, tangy dressing that's got just the right kick from Korean chili powder and chili oil. The minced garlic infuses a pungent aroma, while sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds add a nutty, savory finish. It's a light yet incredibly flavorful dish that stimulates the palate without overwhelming it.

Customization & Variations

This Asian Cucumber Salad is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less Korean chili powder or chili oil to suit your taste. For a milder tang, swap the apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar. If you're out of Korean chili powder, regular chili powder works perfectly, though it may offer a slightly different flavor profile. For an extra aromatic touch, consider adding a pinch of finely grated fresh ginger to the dressing, even though it's not explicitly in the recipe, it complements the existing flavors beautifully.

Serving & Context

This versatile salad makes an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or any Asian-inspired main course. Serve it chilled as a palate cleanser or a light, flavorful side. It's particularly fantastic alongside richer dishes, cutting through their intensity with its crisp, tangy profile.

Frequently Asked Questions