Asian Cucumber Salad

Name: Asian Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 2-3 large cucumbers (English or Japanese ); 1/4 white or vidalia onion; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted, optional); 1/3 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced; 1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

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This Asian Cucumber Salad incredibly light and refreshing and perfect for summer weather and to use those garden fresh cucumbers! It comes together in minutes requires only a few ingredients, and is a side salad that will compliment almost any summer menu!

chopsticks holding thinly sliced cucumbers in a bowl

Oh, cucumbers. I love you so. Even more now with this Asian Cucumber Salad. Our cucumber plants are doing so well this year, I'm pulling at least one a day! Which is perfect for this cucumber lovers salad!

Ingredients Needed:

cucumber, jar of sesame seeds, onion, vinegar, and dill

Cucumbers - We prefer Japanese, English, or Kirby cucumbers for this recipe.
Onion - White is our preferred although a sweet yellow would also work!
Sesame Seeds - Toasted to really bring out their flavor!
Seasoned Rice Vinegar - You want to make sure it's labeled "seasoned" because this rice vinegar is flavored with a little salt and sugar vs. a regular rice vinegar.
Fresh Dill - You can use dried, too but fresh is definitely preferred. See recipe notes.

SO Easy to Make!

This salad comes together super fast, especially if you have handy dandy mandolin to do all of the supppperrr thin slicing for you! Then it's easy as 1, 2, 3:

Slice cucumbers and onions (the thinner the better!)
Toast your sesame seeds (be careful they don't burn!)
Combine the cucumbers and onions with the rest of the ingredients, chill, and serve!

Do I really need a mandolin?

No, it's not 100% necessary, but it'll make everything a lot faster and it'll ensure super thin and even slices. Plus, it's a really handy tool to have around, we use this one all of the time:

Plus, then you can use it to zoodle your zucchini! Which means you can make these Garlic Parmesan Zoodles or Shrimp Zoodle Scampi.

It also means nice thin apple crisps for one of my favorite snacks, Pumpkin Spice Apple Crisps and you can get the signature crinkle cut for some Bread and Butter Pickles!

large bowl with sliced cucumbers, onions, and sesame seeds

SO fresh. SO simple. SO easy to make. Perfect for summer cucumbers or just some good clean, healthy eating. We make this all of the time as a side to some of our favorite Asian Inspired dishes and for a quick and easy lunch!

FAQs

What Cucumbers Should I Use?

I personally prefer to use English, Japanese, or Kirby because they are the crunchiest. The standard cucumbers that you get in the grocery store are typically American Slicing. They're a little less firm, have a slightly higher water content, and often a kind of waxy coating, which is why they're best for recipes that require peeled cucumbers. I would avoid using a thicker cucumber with bigger seeds like Lemon or Burpless cucumbers for this recipe.

Should I peel them?

It depends on the cucumber you use, but I usually just give a good scrub with some water and then slice with the skin on. Just make sure you get all those prickly little spines off of the skin first, especially if you're using a variety like Kirby.

Do I have to Toast the Sesame Seeds?

You don't have to, but it brings out their nutty flavor more and it makes them crunchier. Plus, it changes the nutritional value of them and actually brings out more calcium! But totally optional - it's still delicious without them toasted.

chopsticks holding thinly sliced cucumbers and onions

Other Great Cucumber Recipes:

Bread and Butter Pickles

Super Easy Dill Pickles

Israeli Couscous Cucumber Salad

Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Chickpea Kale Greek Salad

Enjoy all of those fresh summer cucumbers, friends!

Have you made this salad with some of your fresh or farmer's market cucumbers? I'd love to hear about it! Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to share your Served From Scratch creations!