This easy Asian cucumber salad is marinated in a spicy-sweet sesame ginger dressing. The result is a refreshing, umami-packed marinated salad that is a delicious side dish to serve with grilled meat or all on its own.
When I was in high school, one of my all-time favorite after school snacks was a cucumber salad. I would slice up a bunch of cucumbers and then completely drown them in a salty concoction of soy sauce and Kraft Italian dressing. True story!
Needless to say, my palate is a tad bit more refined these days. Plus, I'm a lot more interested in clean eating than I was back then. One thing hasn't changed... I still love a good cucumber salad.
This cool and crunchy salad is inspired by Asian flavors, ginger, garlic, sesame, and soy. I like to add a spicy kick with a pinch of red chili.
What you're going to love about this recipe
- No stove needed: This easy salad recipe means no cooking is needed for this recipe. Just a grab a sharp knife or a mandoline, chop chop chop, and you're done.
- Super fast & easy: This recipe is so easy to make. Two ingredients, a super simple simple salad dressing, and you're ready to munch.
- Fresh and crispy: Cucumber salad is crunchy and packed with umami.
- Perfect for meal prep: Marinated cucumbers just get better as they sit in the fridge. This recipe is one of my go-to meal prep recipes.
Recipe Notes
This easy cucumber salad recipe is super simple. All you need is a few veggies and a salad dressing that just couldn't be easier. Every ingredient in this recipe is available year-round in most grocery stores.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers: I like to use Persian or English cucumbers for this recipe. Both of these have tender skin. If you are going to use the more common cucumbers, peel them and remove the seeds.
- Aromatics: Red onions, ginger, garlic, and cilantro. I like to use a red Serrano pepper for color and heat.
- Dressing: Soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and mirin. White vinegar will work fine, but rice vinegar takes this dressing to the next level.
- Extras: Chili flakes and sesame seeds. These are both optional but highly recommended.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: The fastest and easiest way to slice cucumbers is to use a mandoline slicer. I like to make mine pretty thin. If you don't have a mandoline slicer, you can also use a food processor or a knife.
Step 2: Place the cucumber slices in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add the red onions, garlic, ginger, and diced red pepper. If you need a shortcut, you can also use jarred minced garlic and ginger. These are both usually available in the produce section.
If you can't find a red Serrano pepper, it's perfectly acceptable to use red pepper flakes. If you like things extra spicy, like me, you can use both.
Step 4: Add the ingredients for the dressing recipe: rice wine vinegar, mirin, and soy sauce.
Step 5: After adding all of the ingredients for the Asian cucumber salad dressing, toss to combine the ingredients.
Step 6: Sprinkle the cucumber salad with black sesame seeds for a little extra crunch.
Step 7: Toss one more time. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor wow.
Finally: Serve this easy side dish with your favorite Asian-inspired meal. Even better, just grab a big fork full and eat it right out of the bowl.
FAQs and Expert Tips
This cucumber salad is a Japanese salad that is often seen in sushi restaurants. The salad is made of thinly sliced cucumbers and a light sesame ginger dressing.
This is just one version of Asian style cucumber salad. I've made this one a little bit spicy! Try sprinkling the cucumbers with sesame oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
I have kept these in the the fridge for at least week at a time. Honestly, they never stick around in the fridge too long at our house because everyone loves them so much!
Cutting cucumbers is super easy if you use a food processor or a mandoline slicer.
However, if you don't have either of these, you can easily slice them up with a sharp knife.
Simply cut off the ends with a knife and then use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin.
What to serve with Spicy Cucumber Salad
- Chicken Satay
- Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls
- Sticky Coconut Rice with Mangos
- Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowl
Asian Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
The Veggies
- 3 cucumbers about 4 cups thinly sliced. I like to use English or Persian cumbers when I can find them.
- 1 red Serrano pepper deseeded and finely diced
- ½ red onion thinly sliced, approximately ⅓ to ½ cup
- ½ bunch cilantro finely chopped, approximately ¼ cup
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated, about a one-inch piece
- 1 tsp garlic crushed, approximately 2 cloves
Spicy Sesame Ginger Dressing
- ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 to 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
Veggies
- Slice cucumbers into thin slices. *Using a mandoline or food processor makes it really easy.
- You'll want about 4-5 cups of cucumbers. Usually 3 large cucumbers is sufficient.
- Add the sliced red onions, the diced red pepper, cilantro, garlic, and ginger.
- Add the ingredients for the dressing and then toss the cucumber salad.
- Sprinkle the cucumbers with black sesame seeds and toss again.
- Chill for a few hours before serving.
- Store in an air-tight container for up to a week.
We grew our own cucumbers this summer and made this cucumber salad a bunch of times! It's so easy to make and such great flavor!
I normally am not a fan of cucumbers. I think they taste like watermelon rinds.
Not any more!
This salad was awesome!
Thanks again.