Asian Cucumber Salad Sesame (Printer-Friendly)

Refreshing cucumber salad featuring sesame and rice vinegar for a light, crunchy bite.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
05 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
06 - 1 teaspoon sugar or maple syrup
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
10 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

# How To Make It:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt and toss to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then gently squeeze and drain off any liquid.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper until the sugar dissolves.
03 - Add the dressing and green onions to the cucumbers. Toss gently to combine.
04 - Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately or chill for 10 to 15 minutes for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than 10 minutes, which means you can have fresh, restaurant-quality food on the table before anyone even asks what's for dinner.
  • The balance of tangy, nutty, and spicy flavors makes it the perfect sidekick to heavier Asian dishes or grilled meats, and it somehow makes everything taste better.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free without feeling like a compromise, so everyone at your table can enjoy it without fuss.
02 -
  • Skipping the salt-and-drain step sounds like you're saving time, but you're actually setting yourself up for a watery salad within minutes—this one extra step is what keeps everything crisp and delicious.
  • Don't mix the dressing more than a minute or two before serving, because the sesame oil and vinegar want to separate, and that's actually a good thing—it means you can taste each element clearly.
03 -
  • Using warm hands to gently squeeze out the cucumber liquid actually works better than a towel—you can feel exactly how much pressure to use without damaging the slices.
  • If you make the dressing ahead of time, give it a quick whisk right before using because the oil will have separated, and that extra moment brings everything back into harmony.
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