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Easy & Refreshing Asian Cucumber Salad with Tangy Sesame-Soy Dressing

Close-up of glossy, marinated slices of asian cucumber salad topped with toasted sesame seeds.
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Welcome to My Kitchen! This easy Asian cucumber salad delivers a refreshing crunch and a tangy, savory flavor that pairs well with any Asian-inspired meal. It is quick to prepare and uses simple pantry staples for a delicious side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large English or Persian cucumbers
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Wash the cucumbers well. Slice them thinly, aiming for about 1/8 inch thickness. If you use English cucumbers, you can leave the skin on.
  2. Place the sliced cucumbers in a medium bowl. Sprinkle lightly with salt, toss, and let them sit for 10 minutes. This draws out excess water, helping the salad stay crunchy.
  3. While the cucumbers rest, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, minced ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes, if you are using them. Whisk until the sugar dissolves.
  4. After 10 minutes, gently squeeze the excess liquid from the salted cucumbers using your hands or by pressing them against the side of the bowl. Discard the liquid.
  5. Pour the prepared dressing over the drained cucumbers. Toss everything gently until the cucumbers are evenly coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. You can chill this for up to 4 hours.
  7. Before serving, taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

  • For an extra crunchy texture, try smashing the cucumbers lightly with the flat side of a knife before slicing, which is popular in some regional styles.
  • If you are making this ahead of time, keep the sesame seeds separate and add them just before serving to maintain their crunch.
  • This salad is a fantastic, low-calorie side dish for weeknight dinners.

Nutrition

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