How to Make the Best Asian Cucumber Salad

Are you looking for a refreshing and light salad to cool down on a hot summer day? Look no further than Asian cucumber salad! This salad is packed with flavor and texture, featuring crunchy cucumbers, tangy rice vinegar, and spicy chili flakes. Plus, it’s easy to make and requires only a few simple ingredients.

To begin, start by slicing your cucumbers thinly and salting them to draw out excess moisture. While the cucumbers sit, make the dressing by combining rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Once the cucumbers have drained, mix them with the dressing and let the flavors meld together for at least 30 minutes. Serve chilled as a tasty and healthy side dish, or add protein like grilled chicken or tofu for a complete meal. Now let’s get started on making this delicious salad!

Ingredients

Asian cucumber salad is a unique and refreshing side dish that is perfect for hot summer days. To make this salad, you will need the following ingredients:

1. English Cucumbers

The star of the dish is the English cucumber. Unlike regular cucumbers, they have thinner skin, fewer seeds, and denser flesh, making them perfect for this salad. This type of cucumber is easily available in every grocery store.

2. Red Onion

Red onion adds a pungent and tangy flavor to the salad. However, if you are not a fan of onions, you can skip them.

3. Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is the primary ingredient that gives the salad its sour taste. There are many types of rice vinegar, but experts recommend using seasoned rice vinegar.

4. Sesame Oil

Sesame oil adds nutty and smoky flavors to the salad. Make sure to use toasted sesame oil for an authentic taste.

5. Sugar

A pinch of sugar balances the sourness of rice vinegar and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

6. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami flavor to the dish. Use light soy sauce if you want a milder taste, while dark soy sauce has a more robust flavor.

7. Garlic

Garlic brings aromatic and earthy flavors to the salad. Use it finely minced or mashed for the best results.

8. Red Pepper Flakes

Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat to the salad. However, you can skip them if you don’t like spicy foods.

9. Fresh Cilantro

Fresh cilantro provides a refreshing and herby flavor to the salad. However, if you don’t like cilantro, you can use other herbs, such as basil or mint.

10. Peanuts

Peanuts add a crunchy and nutty texture to the salad. You can use chopped roasted peanuts or cashews.

Instructions

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, let’s dive into making this delicious and refreshing Asian cucumber salad.

1. Cut and Prep the Cucumbers and Onions

Wash the English cucumbers and red onions. Cut the cucumbers into thin slices if you want them to look like coins, or you can also cut them lengthwise for a different look. Slice the red onions into thin wedges.

2. Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients until the sugar dissolves.

3. Toss and Chill

In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumber, red onion, and fresh cilantro. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss them gently. Finally, top the salad with chopped peanuts or cashews. Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes before serving.

4. Garnish and Serve

After refrigerating, give the salad a final toss to coat the vegetables with the dressing. Garnish the salad with extra cilantro leaves and chopped peanuts or cashews. Serve the salad immediately and enjoy its refreshing flavors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Asian cucumber salad is a delicious and healthy side dish that you can easily make at home. With its refreshing flavors and crunchy texture, it’s the perfect salad for hot summer days or any time of the year. So go ahead and try this recipe today, and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

The Ingredients You Need

Now that you know the backstory of this delicious dish, let’s get right to the nitty-gritty of how to make this refreshing cucumber salad. First, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. Thankfully, you won’t need anything too exotic or hard to find, and most of these items can be found in any grocery store.

1. English or Persian cucumbers
For this recipe, it’s essential to use English or Persian cucumbers as they have less water content and are less likely to make the salad watery. Slice the cucumbers thinly, about 1/4 inch thick.

2. Carrots
The carrots add a nice pop of color and crunch to the salad. You can either grate them or cut them into matchstick shapes.

3. Red Onion
Red onions add visual appeal and a touch of bite – albeit a mild one. You’ll want to chop the onions finely.

4. Rice vinegar
Rice vinegar is a must-have for this dish as it gives it the perfect tangy taste. You can use regular white vinegar in a pinch, but it won’t have the same subtle flavor.

5. Light soy sauce
Light soy sauce serves as a flavor enhancer, so you’ll want to ensure you have a good quality brand.

6. Sesame oil
Sesame oil is what gives this salad its irresistible nutty flavor and helps to balance out the acidity of the rice vinegar. Make sure to use toasted sesame oil for this recipe.

7. Sugar
A touch of sugar will round out any rough edges of the vinegar and soy sauce.

8. Garlic Cloves
Garlic adds depth of flavor and complements the other ingredients. Mince the garlic cloves finely.

9. Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds are optional but recommended for a little extra crunch.

10. Scallions
Scallions (or green onions) are a traditional garnish in many Asian dishes, and they add a nice pop of color to the salad. Cut them into thin slices.

With all the ingredients in hand, you’re ready to whip up this zesty salad. If you can’t find one or two of the ingredients at your local store, don’t fret. This cucumber salad recipe is incredibly versatile and can withstand a few substitutions. Once you have everything on hand, it’s time to get started!

Ingredients for Asian Cucumber Salad

To make the perfect Asian cucumber salad, you need the right ingredients. Here are some ingredients that you will need to prepare this delicious, refreshing salad:

English cucumbers

The star ingredient of this salad is the English cucumber. These cucumbers are also known as hothouse cucumbers and are longer and slimmer than the regular cucumbers. They have a crisp texture and a mild flavor which makes them perfect for salads. In this recipe, we will be using 2 large English cucumbers.

Carrots

Carrots are a great addition to any salad, providing vitamins and crunchiness. For this recipe, you will need to peel and julienne 2 medium-sized carrots. Julienned carrots add even more crunch and texture to this salad.

Red onion

Red onion provides color and flavor to the salad. Dicing the red onion finely will ensure that it doesn’t overpower the salad.

Roasted peanuts

Roasted peanuts add protein and a nutty flavor to the salad. It is essential to use unsalted roasted peanuts as they are healthier and do not add unnecessary sodium to the salad.

Sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey

The dressing for this salad is a delicious mixture of sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey. The sesame oil adds an Asian flavor to the salad while the rice vinegar and honey balance out the acidity and sweetness.

In conclusion, gathering the perfect ingredients is the first step towards making the perfect Asian cucumber salad. Take your time in selecting fresh and crisp vegetables for this refreshing salad. Next, we will discuss the cutting and assembling process.

That’s it, your very own Asian cucumber salad!

I hope you enjoyed making and eating this refreshing salad as much as I do! Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check back again soon for more delicious recipes!