Asian Cucumber Salad
This Asian Cucumber Salad packs so much flavor and crunch,, and looks super fun with the cucumber spirals. Packed with chili oil, sesame, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and more. This bright, zesty, crunchy cucumber salad is the perfect side dish, and it's ready in 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 7-8 small cucumbers
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 4 scallions chopped (greens only or the whole scallion)
Dressing
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/3 cp chilli oil
- 1 tablespoons sesame extra if needed
- Chilli flakes of needed
Instructions
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Cut, slice or smash the cucumber.
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Alternatively you can make the spiral shape by placing the cucumber over two chopsticks.
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Cut on a 45 degree angle diagonal, half inch interval slices.
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Then flip the cucumber over the chopsticks and cut in a straight angle half inch interval slices.
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The cucumber will have the unique spiral shape.
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Slat the cucumber heavily and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
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Remove the excess water, pat dry the cucumbers and season them with the remaining ingredients.
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Toss well and enjoy right away!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Asian Cucumber Salad Tips
- Make sure you have the right type of cucumbers for this recipe. Seedless is key. Other than that, any type would work. However for the spiral cut, you'll need the Persian small cucumbers.
- If you don't want that spiral shape, cut the cucumbers into 1 inch chunks and smash them. Alternatively you can ust smash them into irregular chunks.
- You can also use a fork to scrape the skin off and make dents for the dressing to seep in.
- If making spirals, make sure to use chopsticks to guide you so you don't cut all the way through. Also follow the step by step above or in the video.
- Salting the cucumbers is KEY to crisp salad!
- Have the chili oil recipe ready ahead of time, you will use it endlessly!
- Dress the salad and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 hours before serving if you want the flavors to blend in.
Storage
We recommend enjoying this asian cucumber salad the same day as it looses some of it's crisp texture with time. The flavors will be amazing with time, but the texture will be compromised. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What to Serve with Asian Cucumber Salad
It's a great side dish for MANY meals. Try it with Orange Chicken, Korean Fried Chicken Strips, Chili Lime Shrimp, Salmon Bowl and Easy Stir Fry Recipe.
What's the best type of cucumber to use?
As long as they are seedless, then any type works well. However for the spiral shape, you'll need small Persian cucumbers.