Asian cucumber salad is a chilly aspect dish with thinly sliced cucumbers in a tangy rice vinegar and sesame oil dressing. This simple 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 simple 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 at any time when I need one thing mild and crunchy on the desk. The mix of tangy vinegar and nutty sesame oil makes each chunk 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 completely 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 elements frequent in Asian cooking. Rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and chili are the same old elements. 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, usually 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 shiny, 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 slightly 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 a couple of easy strategies.

• Salting the cucumbers attracts out extra water. This prevents the dressing from turning into watery and retains the cucumbers further crunchy.
• Rice vinegar provides 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 could scent as quickly as you open the bowl. Somewhat goes a good distance.
• Contemporary garlic and a contact of sugar spherical out the dressing. The garlic provides it chunk, and the sugar smooths any harsh edges from the vinegar.

I’ve tried skipping the salting step once 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 slightly further time, however it’s well worth the effort.

Substances

• English cucumbers – They’ve skinny pores and skin, small seeds, and a crisp texture. It’s also possible to use Persian cucumbers or Japanese cucumbers. Common slicing cucumbers work too, however it’s possible you’ll need 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 modify accordingly when you use it.
• Soy sauce – This offers the salad saltiness and umami. Use common soy sauce or mild 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 sort, 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 light warmth. Begin with a small quantity and add extra when 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 prime.

Professional Suggestions

• Rating the cucumbers with a fork earlier than slicing. The grooves entice dressing and make every chunk extra flavorful.
• Toast your individual sesame seeds for higher taste. Unfold uncooked sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium warmth and stir continually till they flip golden.
• Double the dressing when you like your salad saucier.
• Add julienned carrots for colour and further crunch.
• Strive the smashed cucumber salad methodology for a unique 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 mild 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 chunk attention-grabbing.
• Fried Tilapia – The crunch and acidity steadiness the oiliness of the fish.

Storage and Leftovers

• Fridge – Retailer leftover salad in an hermetic container for as much as in the future. 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 turn out to be mushy after thawing.
• Make forward – You possibly can 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 every little thing 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 when you would not have 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 a substitute of soy sauce. The flavour is barely sweeter however nonetheless works properly.

What sort 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 selections. When 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 possibly can 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 Ok and C. The dressing has some sodium from the soy sauce.

What can I exploit as a substitute of rice vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar work as substitutes. They’re barely extra acidic than rice vinegar, so it’s possible you’ll need to add a bit extra sugar to steadiness the flavour.

This Asian cucumber salad has turn out to be a daily at our desk. I make it at any time when we grill outside or once I want a fast aspect dish that everybody enjoys. The mix of tangy dressing and crunchy cucumbers is tough to beat. Strive making this on your subsequent barbecue or weeknight dinner.