Asian cucumber salad is a quick, easy and delicious spicy cucumber salad that can be pulled together in less than 10 minutes. Eat right away or let marinate and eat later.
Cucumber and onions salad is a classic that appears regularly on our table during the summertime.
This version is made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce and topped with sesame seeds. There's also crushed red pepper flakes to give it a little kick.
It's not really spicy, but you can taste the heat. If your family is not a fan of spice, just cut back the amount to your liking.
Key ingredients
- English cucumbers - a regular cucumber can also be used. Just scoop the seeds out of a regular cucumber before slicing.
- Red onion - you could also use a sweet white onion
- Red pepper flakes - gives just a bit of kick
To make cucumber salad
- Slice the cucumbers
- Slice the onions
- In a small container combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey and crushed red pepper. Stir to combine
- Pour dressing over cucumbers and gently stir to coat the cucumbers
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve or cover and refrigerate to let the cucumbers marinate
If you refrigerate this salad before eating, the cucumbers will release some of their liquids and you will end up with more sauce. This does not affect the quality of the salad. You can drain before serving or just leave it at the bottom of the bowl.
Toasted sesame seeds
Toasted sesame seeds are added to the salad just before serving. You can buy seeds already toasted, or save some money and toast your own. The toasted seeds add a lot of flavor to this salad.
Place the seeds in a small non-stick pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Make certain you stir often and don't leave the pan! These go from done to burnt in almost no time at all! As soon as they start to brown a little, remove the heat and from the pan.
Recipe Faqs
Asian cucumber salad is best eaten the same day it's made. I have eaten it the day after and it's still good. It's just at its best the same day it is made.
Yes, the cucumber peel is safe to eat and offers great color and bite to the salad. Wash your cucumber prior to slicing to remove any contaminants.
You can always peel the cucumber if you prefer.
Serving suggestions
Serve with grilled flank steak, BBQ chicken thighs or almond crusted fish.
More great salads
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Check out all my delicious salad recipes!
Asian Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salad
- 4 cups English cucumbers (sliced)
- 1 cup red onion (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (toasted)
Instructions
Dressing
- Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, honey and red pepper2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 teaspoons sesame oil
- Shake or stir to combine
Salad
- Add cucumber and onions to a large bowl4 cups English cucumbers, 1 cup red onion
- Pour dressing over cucumbers and onions
- Toss lightly
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- Toss lightly and serve or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes
Notes
- Place the seeds in a small non-stick pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Make certain you stir often and don't leave the pan! These go from done to burnt in almost no time at all! As soon as they start to brown a little, remove the heat and from the pan.
- Can substitute regular cucumbers for the English cucumbers. Peel and seed regular cucumbers if using.
- Reduce red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder taste.
- If you refrigerate this salad before eating, the cucumbers will release some of their liquids and you will end up with more sauce. This does not affect the quality of the salad. You can drain before serving or just leave it at the bottom of the bowl.
David @ Spiced says
I really enjoy a good cucumber salad on a hot summer day. The bright flavor goes so well with grilled food! I'm digging the Asian twist here, Kathy. This sounds like a mighty tasty salad, and I could certainly go for a bowl of this today!
Kathy says
It's perfect with summer grilling! Enjoy
Alex says
Love cucumber salads - and this dressing sounds delicious. Love the flavours, and same as Dawn, huge sesame oil fan! Delicious!
Kathy says
Thanks, Alex 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love cucumber salad and I especially love the flavours that you've added here. Sesame oil is one of my fave ingredients! Wish I had a big heaping of this for lunch today 🙂
Kathy says
The sesame oil packs a ton of flavor.