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Asian Cucumber Salad

This Asian Cucumber Salad is light and delicious and beautiful in those warmer months we are heading into when you crave cool and refreshing meals. It’s vegan and gluten-free and is a nice addition to the meals you already prepare.
It’s quick, fresh, and alluring.
Don’t you just love cucumbers? They’re hydrating thanks to their high water content and are a good source of fiber too.
Ingredients Notes:
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.
Honey Roasted Peanuts - this salad comes with an unexpected secret ingredient: honey-roasted peanuts (of course optional if peanut allergen). They up the crunch factor (always a positive with a cucumber salad) and work well with the simple dressing.
Sugar. Just one teaspoon balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and the sourness of the rice vinegar.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine Asian

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced Turkish, Persian or English
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 scallion finely sliced or chives, cilantro, or even Thai basil
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari or Bragg's Liquid Amino Acid or Coconut amino acid
  • 1 tbsp toasted seasme oil
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup, sugar or honey to taste for a vegan option use maple syrup
  • 1 tsp red chilli paste, flakes (or sriracha, both optional) less or more to taste
  • 1-2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts, chopped, optional

Instructions
 

  • Using the tines of a fork, score the cucumbers lengthwise- this will help the cucumber. (Feel free to skip if in a hurry.)
  • Slice the cucumbers thinly. Sprinkle with salt. and place in a strainer set inside a large bowl for 20 minutes to help them release water. Let this stand while you gather the remaining ingredients.
  • Chop the herbs: here, you can personalize to your meal and palate, use scallions, cilantro, basil, dill or even mint would be lovely.
    Using a microplane or garlic press, grate your ginger and garlic.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, optional red chili paste or flakes and toasted sesame seeds. 
    Alternatively, place all ingredients in a mason jar with a fitted lid and shake vigorously. 
    Make sure if using granulated sugar that is completely dissolved.
  • Mix up the dressing up to 3 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator.
  • Strain the cucumbers of salted water, do not rinse. Transfer from the strainer to a large bowl. Stir the dressing into the cucumbers, add a sprinkling of chili flakes and top with the scallions and honey roasted chopped peanuts. Enjoy!
  • Taste and adjust salt to your liking. Peanut allergens, omit honey roasted peanuts.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve. This is best served the same day but will keep up to 3 days.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

  • 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.

Serving Ideas

  • Wondering what goes with Asian cucumber salad? Here are a few of my favorite pairings.
    Asian Cucumber Salad with Salmon. Toss with greens and Teriyaki Salmon for a delicious lunch or a ligjt supper.
    Miso Mushroom Bowl.
    Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers. Moist, juicy chicken or turkey burgers topped with a sweet and tangy teriyaki burger sauce, grilled pineapple, and onion.
    Baked Soy Ginger Salmon. An easy, foolproof recipe for moist and flavorful baked salmon with honey soy ginger glaze. Simple, healthy, and scrumptious.
    Oven-baked Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders. Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, with an easy ginger, soy sauce, and garlic marinade.

Notes

WHAT KIND OF CUCUMBERS TO USE?
Use thin-skinned burpless cucumbers like Persian, Turkish or English Cucumbers, for the least bitterness and best flavor. Waxy cucumbers will work in a pinch but you will need to peel them first.
CHEF’S TIPS:
Scoring the cucumber with the tines of a fork before slicing allows the dressing to cling to the cucumbers, making each and every bite more flavorful! 
Salting the cucumber beforehand helps release liquid, also creating a more flavorful salad as the dressing doesn’t get as watered down. Of course, you can skip this if you are in a hurry.
If you have time, salt the cucumbers and place in a strainer for 20 minutes or up to a few hours!
 
Keyword 30 minute meals, Asian, Cucumber, Healthy, Kid Friendly