Asian cucumber salad is a chilly aspect dish with thinly sliced cucumbers in a tangy rice vinegar and sesame oil dressing. This straightforward recipe takes quarter-hour and goes properly with grilled meats and fried fish.

Asian cucumber salad is a chilly aspect dish made with thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a tangy dressing of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. This straightforward Asian cucumber salad recipe takes about quarter-hour to organize, and most of that point is simply ready for the cucumbers to launch their liquid. Asian cucumber salad goes properly with grilled meats, fried fish, and rice bowls. I make this Asian cucumber salad each time I would like one thing gentle and crunchy on the desk. The mix of tangy vinegar and nutty sesame oil makes each chew refreshing.

 

This salad jogs my memory of the cucumber salad I ate rising up, dressed with native vinegar and ginger. I began including sesame oil and soy sauce after making an attempt totally different cucumber salads at Asian eating places. That small change made a giant distinction in taste.

This salad works as a palate cleanser between heavy programs or as a aspect for grilled pork stomach and barbecue rooster. I like serving it ice chilly, straight from the fridge. The cucumbers keep crisp, and the dressing coats each slice.

What’s Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian cucumber salad refers to any cucumber salad dressed with components frequent in Asian cooking. Rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and chili are the same old components. Totally different nations have their very own variations.

Korean cucumber salad makes use of gochugaru and sesame seeds for a spicy kick. Japanese cucumber salad tends to be milder, typically dressed with rice vinegar and a contact of sugar. Chinese language cucumber salad generally requires smashing the cucumbers with a cleaver to create jagged edges that maintain extra dressing. Thai cucumber salad makes use of fish sauce, lime juice, and crushed peanuts for a vibrant, tangy taste.

This recipe takes inspiration from all of them. I exploit rice vinegar for the bottom, soy sauce for depth, sesame oil for richness, and somewhat chili oil for warmth. The result’s a flexible salad that goes with virtually something.

Why This Recipe Works

This Asian cucumber salad seems properly due to just a few easy methods.

• Salting the cucumbers attracts out extra water. This prevents the dressing from changing into watery and retains the cucumbers further crunchy.
• Rice vinegar offers the salad a light tanginess with out being too sharp. It balances the saltiness of the soy sauce.
• Toasted sesame oil creates a nutty aroma that you would be able to odor as quickly as you open the bowl. A bit of goes a good distance.
• Contemporary garlic and a contact of sugar spherical out the dressing. The garlic offers it chew, and the sugar smooths any harsh edges from the vinegar.

I’ve tried skipping the salting step after I was in a rush. The salad nonetheless tasted good, however the dressing pooled on the backside of the bowl after ten minutes. Salting takes somewhat further time, however it’s definitely worth the effort.

Components

• English cucumbers – They’ve skinny pores and skin, small seeds, and a crisp texture. You may also use Persian cucumbers or Japanese cucumbers. Common slicing cucumbers work too, however chances are you’ll wish to peel them and scoop out the seeds first.
• Salt – This attracts moisture from the cucumber slices and retains the salad from getting watery.

Dressing

• Rice vinegar – The tangy base of the dressing. It’s milder and barely sweeter than white vinegar. Seasoned rice vinegar already has salt and sugar added, so alter accordingly in the event you use it.
• Soy sauce – This offers the salad saltiness and umami. Use common soy sauce or gentle soy sauce. Darkish soy sauce is simply too robust for this recipe.
• Toasted sesame oil – The signature nutty taste of this salad. Search for the darkish amber type, not the sunshine sesame oil used for cooking.
• Sugar – This balances the acidity of the vinegar. One tablespoon is sufficient to take the sting off with out making the dressing candy.
• Garlic – Minced finely so it distributes evenly.
• Chili oil – That is mild warmth. Begin with a small quantity and add extra in the event you prefer it spicy. If you would like extra kick, attempt making a spicy cucumber salad model with further chili flakes.

Garnish

• Toasted sesame seeds – They add crunch and visible enchantment. You should buy them pre-toasted or toast uncooked sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute.
• Inexperienced onions – They offer freshness and colour. Slice them skinny on an angle for a nicer presentation.

1. Wash the cucumbers, pat them dry, and run the tines of a fork down the size of every cucumber to attain the pores and skin calmly.
2. Slice the cucumbers skinny, about one eighth inch thick, utilizing a mandoline or sharp knife.

1. Place the cucumber slices in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat.
2. Allow them to sit for 15 to twenty minutes, then gently press and pour the liquid out. Pat dry with paper towels.

1. Mix the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, and chili oil in a small bowl.
2. Whisk till the sugar dissolves fully.

1. Switch the dried cucumbers to a big mixing bowl, pour the dressing over them, and toss gently till each slice is coated.
2. Add the inexperienced onions and half of the sesame seeds, toss once more, then switch to a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining sesame seeds on high.

Professional Suggestions

• Rating the cucumbers with a fork earlier than slicing. The grooves lure dressing and make every chew extra flavorful.
• Toast your individual sesame seeds for higher taste. Unfold uncooked sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium warmth and stir consistently till they flip golden.
• Double the dressing in the event you like your salad saucier.
• Add julienned carrots for colour and further crunch.
• Strive the smashed cucumber salad methodology for a special texture. Smashing creates jagged edges that take in much more dressing.

What to Serve with Asian Cucumber Salad

• Inihaw na Liempo – The smoky grilled pork stomach wants one thing gentle and tangy alongside it. This salad does the job.
• Hen Teriyaki – The candy glaze goes properly with the vinegar-dressed cucumbers. The distinction retains every chew fascinating.
• Fried Tilapia – The crunch and acidity stability the oiliness of the fish.

Storage and Leftovers

• Fridge – Retailer leftover salad in an hermetic container for as much as someday. The cucumbers will launch extra liquid as they sit, so drain off the surplus earlier than serving once more.
• Freezer – This salad doesn’t freeze properly. Cucumbers grow to be mushy after thawing.
• Make forward – You’ll be able to slice and salt the cucumbers as much as 4 hours forward. Preserve them within the fridge in a colander set over a bowl. Make the dressing individually and toss the whole lot collectively proper earlier than serving.

• Add carrots and radishes – Julienne them skinny so that they combine properly with the cucumber slices.
• Use apple cider vinegar – It has a barely fruity style however works in the event you do not need rice vinegar.
• Make it creamy – Add a spoonful of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the dressing for a richer coating.
• Strive a sesame cucumber salad – Double the sesame seeds and add a drizzle of tahini.
• Go peanut – Add two tablespoons of peanut butter and a squeeze of lime juice for a Thai-inspired twist.
• Make it soy-free – Use coconut aminos as an alternative of soy sauce. The flavour is barely sweeter however nonetheless works properly.

What kind of cucumber is greatest for Asian cucumber salad?

English cucumbers work greatest as a result of they’ve skinny skins and small seeds. Persian cucumbers and Japanese cucumbers are additionally good decisions. Should you solely have common slicing cucumbers, peel them and scoop out the seeds earlier than slicing.

How do I hold cucumber salad from getting watery?

Salt the cucumber slices and allow them to sit in a colander for 15 to twenty minutes. The salt attracts out extra moisture. Pat the slices dry earlier than including the dressing.

Can I make Asian cucumber salad forward of time?

Sure, however timing issues. You’ll be able to put together the cucumbers and dressing individually as much as 4 hours forward. Toss them collectively not more than two hours earlier than serving.

Is Asian cucumber salad wholesome?

This salad is low in energy and excessive in hydration. Cucumbers are about 95 p.c water and comprise nutritional vitamins Okay and C. The dressing has some sodium from the soy sauce.

What can I exploit as an alternative of rice vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar work as substitutes. They’re barely extra acidic than rice vinegar, so chances are you’ll wish to add a bit extra sugar to stability the flavour.

This Asian cucumber salad has grow to be a daily at our desk. I make it each time we grill outdoor or after I want a fast aspect dish that everybody enjoys. The mix of tangy dressing and crunchy cucumbers is difficult to beat. Strive making this to your subsequent barbecue or weeknight dinner.