Asian Cucumber Salad

Name: Asian Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4-5 Persian or Turkish or Japanese Cucumbers ( thinly sliced); ¼ cup (57g) rice wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey if not vegan); ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil; ½ teaspoon ginger (finely grated ); Red pepper flakes (to taste); Salt (to taste); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

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Crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad is tangy, flavorful, and loaded with thinly sliced cucumbers. This easy cucumber salad Asian recipe is the perfect side dish to serve with all of your favorite Asian-style dishes and requires very little prep time.

Suitable for low carb, vegan, and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

top down view of a serving of asian cucumber salad with chopsticks and cloth napkin

This easy Asian Cucumber Salad recipe is cool, crispy and refreshing and pairs perfectly with your favorite Asian recipes. The sesame oil and rice vinegar dressing is nutty and tangy.

The addition of ginger and red pepper flake gives this cucumber Asian salad lots of zest, while the maple syrup provides just a hint of sweetness. If you love cucumbers, this surely will become one of your favorite recipes.

You might also love this classic Asian Kani Salad or this general easy Cucumber Salad. It also goes well with these Asian Grilled Chicken Tenders and delicious Instant Pot Chicken Tenders.

one serving of asian cucumber salad in a white bowl with a pair of chopsticks

What Is Asian Cucumber Salad?

Cucumber salads are popular around the world. When sliced and paired with a mild dressing, herbs and spices, this easy cucumber salad is a refreshing side dish, especially in the summer months.

While many cucumber salad recipes use a mayonnaise-based or creamy dressing, Asian cucumber salad is made with a rice vinegar and sesame dressing that perfectly compliments the bold flavors of Asian main dishes.

close up view of a single slice of cucumber that was removed from the asian cucumber salad being held with chopsticks

Why Make This Recipe

Fast – Even if you cut cucumbers salt and strain them, this recipe comes together so fast. Prep time is just minutes.
The Perfect Appetizer or Side – Asian cucumber salad is super refreshing. It is the perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal, especially on a hot summer day.
Healthy – Cucumbers taste good and are good for you. The additional ingredients in this recipe fit just about every diet.
Delicious – This is just a great recipe that is the perfect finish to an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredient Notes

Cucumbers – Look for Persian, Turkish or Japanese cucumbers. English cucumber is a great substitute if the others are not available.
Rice Wine Vinegar – Rice vinegar is mild and sweet. Good substitutes include champagne, white and apple cider vinegar.
Maple Syrup – Pure maple syrup is a delightful natural sweetener. You can also use honey if not vegan.
Toasted Sesame Oil – Asian cucumber salad sesame oil dressing is nutty and flavorful. You can substitute other oils such as avocado oil, but you will lose a bit of the nutty flavor.
Ginger – Freshly grated ginger adds a savory, slightly spicy flavor. Fresh ginger can be stored in the freezer for months.
Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a bit of spice to the salad. Use more or less, depending on your personal preference.
Salt – Salt brings out the natural flavors in foods.
Sesame Seeds – Adds just a bit of crunch to the Asian cucumber salad recipe. You can use white or black sesame seeds.

close up view of the completed asian cucumber salad recipe

Ready to make this Cucumber Salad Asian? Gather your ingredients and I will show you…

How To Make Asian Cucumber Salad

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers. Pat dry with paper towels and add to a large bowl.
In a small bowl, combine rice wine vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes and salt.
Add the Asian cucumber salad sesame oil dressing to the sliced cucumbers and toss to combine.
You can serve immediately or cover the Asian cucumber salad and keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
Before serving, garnish with sesame seeds and pepper flakes for garnish.

top down view of the completed asian cucumber salad with chopsticks removing one slice of cucumber

Expert Tips

Cucumber Asian salad is made with very thinly sliced cucumbers. To finely slice cucumber, use a sharp knife and cutting board or a mandolin.
If you can’t find Persian cucumbers, you can use English cucumbers instead. You can also use regular cucumbers if Persian or mini cucumbers are not available.
If you select thin skin cucumbers, there is no reason to peel them.
Cucumbers should be very dry before making this Asian cucumber salad. Blot the cucumbers dry with a paper towel before adding the dressing.
Score the flesh of each cucumber slice with the tines of a fork and more or the flavorful Asian cucumber salad dressing will adhere to each slice.
If you have time, slice and salt the cucumbers and place them in a strainer for an hour or so.
Prepare the dressing in advance and refrigerate before adding to the cucumbers.
Chill the cucumbers in the fridge for an even more refreshing Asian cucumber salad recipe.
If you add soy sauce, check for gluten content if you are gluten free and substitute if needed.

the finished asian cucumber salad ready to be served

Delicious Variations

Add Mix-ins – Add more flavor and crunch to the Cucumber salad Asian by mixing in roasted peanuts, sliced red onion, white onion or green onions, or sliced peppers.
Add Heat – For a touch of heat, mix in a bit of red chili paste or sriracha.
Add Garlic – Grind a garlic clove or two into a fine paste and add to the dressing.
Add Herbs – Finely chop herbs and add them to the Asian cucumber salad. Some great options include cilantro and Thai basil.
Add Soy Sauce – Soy sauce adds a delicious umami flavor. To keep this gluten-free be sure to choose a gluten free soy sauce or use Tamari. You can also use a soy sauce alternative such as liquid aminos or coconut aminos.

Prep And Storage

Prep Ahead – Whenever possible, allow at least 20 minutes to slice, salt and strain the cucumbers before preparing the cucumber Asian salad.
Store – Asian cucumber salad can be covered and stored in the fridge for several days.
Freeze – Freezing this Asian cucumber salad is not recommended.

the finished asian cucumber salad recipe in a white serving bowl

FAQs

What Type Of Cucumbers To Use For Asian Cucumber Salad?

Mini cucumbers are a great choice for cucumber recipes like this. Persian cucumbers have thin skin and are shorter than English cucumbers and are the most common selection when preparing an Asian cucumber salad recipe.

The skins can be left on and the cucumbers should be sliced thinly. Since Persian cucumbers are typically smaller than other cucumbers, the slices are perfectly bite-sized. While Persian cucumbers are my personal favorite for this salad, you can use any style of cucumbers.

How To Thinly Slice Cucumbers?

I love to use paper thin slices for this Asian cucumber salad. You can certainly use a sharp knife and a cutting board but a mandolin is a fabulous tool for getting super thin, uniform slices of cucumber.

Simply set the blade to your desired thickness and you will have a pile of thinly slices cucumbers for your Asian cucumber salad recipe in practically no time at all.

Why Is My Cucumber Salad Watery?

Vegetables release water as they sit. Cucumbers are especially prone to becoming watery even after just a short amount of time. When making this Asian cucumber salad recipe, you want to remove as much water as possible before adding the Asian cucumber salad sesame oil dressing.

To do this, slice and salt the cucumber and place them in a colander for at least 20 minutes. Dry the slices thoroughly with paper towels before making the rest of the cucumber salad Asian recipe.

a bowl filled with asian cucumber salad with chopsticks placed across the edge

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Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

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5 from 2 votes