Go Back
–+ servings
Print
a hand holding a cucumber using chopsticks up close showing the texture and marinade of the cucumber salad

Easy Cucumber Salad

This Easy Cucumber Salad will be your go to for a quick asian cucumber salad that's ready in minutes! Loaded with garlic, chilli paste, soy sauce and scallions, it's SO GOOD! We love it with any protein main dish, or on its own for a light and tasty lunch. You'll just need a few minutes for this!
Course Appetizer, Salad, side
Cuisine American, Asian
Keyword Asian cucumber salad, cucumber recipe, cucumber salad, cucumber salad recipe, easy cucumber salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 48 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Cucumbers

  • 1 Cucumber

Dressing

  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger minced
  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium
  • 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon chilli paste spicy or sweet
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Start by scorching the the cucumbers using a fork. This trick I learned a long time ago from Jamie Oliver as he made a Greek salad using this technique. Scorching the cucumbers will allow the dressing to seep in and infuse the salad with flavor.
    A hand using a fork to scorch the cucumbers for them to absorb maximum dressing
  2. Slice the cucumbers and you'll notice they have the small dents where the dressing will be soaked in.
    Sliced cucumbers ready on a cutting board
  3. Now you're going to take a deep bowl, a salad bowl. And add in all the dressing ingredients together. Use a spoon or whisk to blend in all the ingredients together until smooth.
    All the dressing ingredients added into a bowl
  4. When all the dressing is ready, you're going to add in the sliced cucumbers. And add in the minced scallions.
    The sliced cucumbers and scallions added into the salad bowl of the dressing
  5. Toss well this easy cucumber salad until you see all the cucumbers are coated in dressing. And now it's ready to serve! Sprinkle with sesame seeds and you can enjoy right away.
    The easy cucumber salad is now tossed with the dressing a bowl

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

 

Tips For BEST Cucumber Salad 

  1. Any type of cucumber works here, so pick what you have on hand.
  2. Scorching the cucumbers infuses it with more dressing. You can alternatively cut them into spirals using this tutorial from the Asian Cucumber Salad. The spiral shape also infuses more dressing into the cucumber.
  3. Use honey or maple syrup or agave for sweetener, it will add the hint of taste in your salad. So if you don't like the flavor of maple for example, don't use it here use honey.
  4. The dressing is best when has a kick of spice, however you can skip the spice by using a sweet chilli paste.
  5. Toss the cucumber into the dressing right before serving to avoid it getting soggy.

How to Store Leftovers?

It's recommended to eat this salad the day of, as leftover usually loose the crunch. The cucumbers will taste amazing, almost like a kimchi, but won't be as crunchy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. 

Can You Make this Salad in Advance?

It's best to toss the cucumbers with the dressing right before serving. However you can easily make the dressing in advance and keep it in the fridge in a sealed mason jar for up to 3 days. 

 

Nutrition Facts
Easy Cucumber Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 48 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 129mg6%
Potassium 138mg4%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 62IU1%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 33mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.