Asian Cucumber Salad Simple Crunchy Wellplated Com

When the summer heats up, this simple Asian cucumber salad is one of the side dish recipes I look forward to most. (This Black Bean Corn Salad is also on my list.) It’s quick, fresh, cooling, and alluring. Plus, it comes with an unexpected secret ingredient: honey-roasted peanuts. Beyond crunch, their touch of sweetness wakes up the cucumbers and pairs fantastically with the zippy sesame dressing. It truly makes this the best Asian cucumber salad recipe! If cucumber salads (like this Creamy Cucumber Salad) have not traditionally been top of mind for your summer potluck needs, it’s time to change your thinking, pronto. They’re the perfect refreshing accompaniment at any cookout. (This Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is a guaranteed winner too!)

How to Make Asian Cucumber Salad

The ingredients in this recipe couldn’t be simpler, but they work together to create a spectacular salad. (This Healthy Coleslaw is another summer potluck winner made with kitchen staples.) Minimal ingredients. Maximum payoff. This is summer cooking at its finest!

The Ingredients

Cucumber. This cool, refreshing ingredient is just what your potluck needs on a hot summer day. (I especially love cucumbers in Salmon Salad!) They’re hydrating thanks to their high water content and are a good source of fiber too.

Honey Roasted Peanuts. The secret ingredient! They up the crunch factor (always a positive with a cucumber salad) and work well with the simple dressing.Sesame Oil. This ingredient gives anything to which you add it complexity and nuttiness. Just 1 little teaspoon ups the satisfaction factor of the dressing. Rice Vinegar. This tangy component balances the honey-roasted peanuts. It gives the dressing a sweet and sour factor, making it the best Asian cucumber salad dressing ever.Soy Sauce. No salt is needed. Soy sauce has the necessary umami factor to perfectly season this easy cucumber salad and wake up all the other flavors.

Garlic. To give our dressing some zip.Sugar. Just one teaspoon balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and the sourness of the rice vinegar.

Chili Flakes. You won’t find a complex blend of spices here. A dash of chili flakes is all you need if you’re looking to add a little kick to this simple cucumber salad recipe.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. This salad tastes best the day it is made but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Taste and season the leftovers with a little extra soy sauce as needed.To Freeze. I do not recommend freezing cucumbers. Their high moisture will cause them to become mushy.

Serving Ideas

Wondering what goes with Asian cucumber salad? Here are a few of my favorite pairings. Additionally, while soy sauce is typically vegan, check your labels carefully. Some brands sometimes contain additives derived from fish or animal products which wouldn’t make this Asian cucumber salad vegan anymore.

Thai-Inspired Asian Cucumber Salad. Add a dash of fish sauce, fresh ginger, cilantro, and a tablespoon or two of fresh lime juice.Extra Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad. Toss in some extra red pepper flakes and a few teaspoons of Sriracha or chili oil to taste.Asian Cucumber Salad with Seafood. Add some protein to turn this salad into a complete meal. Asian cucumber salad with crab, tuna, or cooked shrimp are a few of my favs.Korean-Inspired Asian Cucumber Salad. For a Korean twist, add a few teaspoons of gochujang chili paste to taste and garnish with gochugaru chili flakes, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds.Asian Cucumber Salad with Red Onion. A reader-favorite way to kick this salad up a notch is to follow the instructions above but add thinly sliced red onion to the salad. Yum!

Asian Cucumber Salad with Salmon. Toss with greens and this Teriyaki Salmon for a tasty lunch salad.Teriyaki Burgers with Grilled Pineapple—i.e. Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers. Moist, juicy chicken or turkey burgers topped with a sweet and tangy teriyaki burger sauce, grilled pineapple, and onion.Soy Ginger Salmon—i.e. Baked Soy Ginger Salmon. An easy, foolproof recipe for moist and flavorful baked salmon with honey soy ginger glaze. Simple, healthy, and scrumptious!Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders—i.e. Oven-baked Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders. Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, with an easy ginger, soy sauce, and garlic marinade.Egg Roll In A Bowl. The BEST egg roll in a bowl recipe! This easy egg roll in a bowl with ground turkey and broccoli slaw is a healthy and low-carb meal.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Sharp Knife. The most essential of kitchen tools. A mandoline is another great option for making uniform cucumber slices.Non-Slip Cutting Board. Cut cucumbers (and everything else!) more safely.Liquid Measuring Cups. Dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and perfect for measuring and mixing dressing at the same time.

Summer is here, and so is Asian cucumber salad season! Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.