This easy Asian Cucumber Salad recipe is the perfect way to use those garden fresh cucumbers! It comes together in minutes, is healthy, light, and requires only a few ingredients. It is a summer side salad that will complement almost any summer menu!
Oh, cucumbers. I love you so. Even more now with this Asian Cucumber Salad recipe. Our cucumber plants are doing so well this year that we are swimming in fresh cucumbers, which is perfect for this light, healthy, and fresh cucumber lovers salad!
Ingredients Needed:
- Cucumbers - We prefer Japanese, English, or Kirby cucumbers for this cucumber salad 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.
How to Make Asian Cucumber Salad
This cucumber 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!)
- Sweat cucumbers.
- 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, Homemade Potato Chips and you can get the signature crinkle-cut for some Bread and Butter Pickles!
Do I Have to Sweat the Cucumbers?
Sweating the cucumbers, even just for 30 minutes, will help them to release the excess water.
If you're short on time, don't sweat it - literally! I sometimes make this salad without sweating/draining the cucumbers and it is still delicious - although it will add water to your dish, which means the rice vinegar is diluted a little.
I would definitely suggest doing it if you're going to bring this Asian Cucumber Salad as a side dish for a get-together (removing the excess water does help the salad keep longer), but if you just want a super simple, flavorful quick lunch, then
SO fresh. SO simple. SO easy to make. This Asian Cucumber Salad recipe is perfect for your 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
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.
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.
You don't have to, but it brings out their nutty flavor more and it makes them crunchier. Plus, it changes their nutritional value and actually brings out more calcium! But totally optional - it's still delicious without them toasted.
Other Great Cucumber Recipes:
Israeli Couscous Cucumber Salad
Enjoy all of those fresh summer cucumbers, friends!
Have you made this Asian Cucumber 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!
Asian Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers English or Japanese
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 white or vidalia onion sliced in very thin half rounds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted, optional
- 1/3 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers as thin as possible (with mandoline or by hand). Place a colander either in a clean sink or over a bowl. Layer the cucumbers in a single(ish) layer in the colander and sprinkle with salt. Repeat until all cucumbers are salted. Let sweat for at least 30 minutes or up to 60 minutes to release excess liquid.
- Once cucumbers have drained, heat a small saute pan over medium heat. Add sesame seeds and toast for 1 -2 minutes stirring constantly so they don't burn. This step is optional.
- Shake off excess water. Add cucumbers and thinly sliced onions to a bowl. Add rice wine vinegar, dill, and sesame seeds. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
I have had this lots of times out at restaurants. I never knew it was so easy to make. I must try this recipe at home. Thanks!
Excellent recipe. Did not have rice vinegar so substituted white balsamic . . . Delicious!!!
Oooh white balsamic, GREAT sub!!
Why have I not made this before?! I love cucumbers and Asian flavours. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy!
This is such a great twist on the classic cucumber and onion salad that is so popular in the summer months. I definitely want to try your version. I love sesame seeds.
Thanks, Jill!
Salad is such a healthy option for any meal. Cucumber too is a great option for a salad filler. Will make this salad tonight for Dinner. This is so simple to make too.
Cucumber is really one of the best salad ingredients! This Asian cucumber salad looks so refreshing. Def one to try! Going to pin for later!
Cucumber salad is a big favourite of mine and I love the Asian flavours in this recipe. So delicious!
That looks really good and I bet it's a refreshing salad. Thanks for the recipe.
I love Asian cucumber salad but never tried making it at home! Looks and sounds so delicious and I love how easy it is to make!
So fresh and tasty! Can't wait to put this into my meal plan!
I am a huge cucumber fan and this salad is Awesome!
This reminds me of many meals I have had out, but somehow I haven't made it at home. So easy, so really should give it a try!
This looks so light and healthy, perfect for summer!
Tracy, you certainly sound as if you look back on your childhood snacking with fond memories and you've taken me right back to my childhood self spending my time snapping off fresh rhubarb stalks that got dipped straight into sugar. Heaven. I love the salad - I think cucumber is under-rated severely. It lends itself so well to be a well dressed side salad. Can't wait to try your Asian flavoured recipe
This looks so yummy! I love cucumber, so simply but so yummy and refreshing!
I'm very jealous of all your access to home grown veggies!
I really would like to have my own garden and grow veggies! The quality, the taste, everything about home grown veggies is just better than store bought! How come I never tried dill with cucumber? i should really try this!
Can't wait to try this recipe this summer! It looks so fresh and flavorful!
I love how pretty this salad is and it sounds delicious! Perfect for warmer days too!
I will definitely be trying this recipe. I've never liked cucumbers unless they're marinated in something with vinegar! This looks awesome 🙂
Awesome! Thanks!!
Thanks for the recipe. I have tons of Asian cucumbers. I grew some of my own Asian cucumbers this year - got the seeds from an Asian store. You should try it. Here are some pictures from my blog.. http://earthlychow.com/asian-cucumber-tien-chin-long
this is such a refreshing idea for a salad!!!
Thank you, Dixya 😀
Looks so delicious! My husband hates cucumber, so I usually never make anything with it. I might just have to make this for myself though 🙂
Thanks, Tina! Ooh that's too bad your husband hates cucumbers... I guess that means just more for you! 😉
YUM'd! This looks delicious. Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We'd love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/05/28/home-matters-linky-party-39/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thanks so much, Lorelai! I'm headed there now to check it out! 😀
I love the way how some recipes are very similar in relatively unrelated places around the world... This is very similar to a Hungarian Cucumber salad that is lightly pickled, superb 🙂
Thanks, Brian! Yes I agree- there are so many dishes that cross cultures which is so fun! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
how wonderful
I want to make like a million gallons of this!!!!
I support this!
A gorgeous way to use cucumber! Looks really refreshing 🙂
great salad! i love cucumbers.
"Aren't mandolins awesome?"..... okay, dorkiest comment EVERRRR. (But I love them)
HAHA oh I bet I've had dorkier comments- and it's so true; they ARE awesome! 😉
OH I love it! I will hopefully have a garden next year, my neighbor just brought me cucumbers from his garden and I DIED! You can't beat it- I'm so glad yours is doing so well, this salad looks AWESOME. (PS- Aren't Mandolins awesome?!)
Aren't home grown cucumbers the BEST? I bet you guys will have an amazing garden with all of that land! NH gardens are the best!!! 🙂
Salad looks refreshing
This looks great. I love all kinds of cucumber salads, unfortunately our cucumbers are done. I miss them so much!
Thank you, me too! Oh it's so sad when a vegetable is over for the season, but hopefully you were able to get the most out of them while you had them 🙂
I'm so happy for you that you get to have a garden this year. We love our garden, too! I have never had much success with cucumbers, though. A lot of times they have come out very bitter, and I'm not sure why. Arizona may not be a good place to grow them, or I just have no idea what I'm doing which could be the case!:) Your salad looks so good!
Thank you, Shari! Having your own garden is so rewarding, isn't it? Bitter? hmmm... I'd better it the former reason and not the latter 😉
Looks like a great way to use up the piles of cucumbers I've been getting from my CSA. Thanks!
Glad to have helped! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I like your recipes and hope to try again