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!
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:
- Fresh cucumbers
- White onion
- Sesame Seeds
- Seasoned Rice Vinegar
- Fresh dill
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
- Add the bowl with rest of ingredients
- Chill and then 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!
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 the nutritional value of them 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 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
- Mandolin
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Slice cucumbers and onions as thin as possible (with mandolin or by hand). Add to bowl with dill, salt (start with 1/2 teaspoon and taste and then add more if desired) sesame seeds, and rice wine vinegar. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 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