This salad is without doubt one of the very first recipes I ever posted on Finances Bytes again in 2009! Like, method again after I was nonetheless taking pictures with my pre-smart-phone period cellphone. Yikes! As a result of this Thai Cucumber Salad continues to be one in every of my favourite dishes and my favourite method to make use of up all these scrumptious and cheap summer season cucumbers, I needed to repost it prepared for summer season and provides it the correct consideration it wants. So, if this sesame cucumber salad recipe is new to you, I hope it turns into one in every of your go-to faves because it has for me. It is going to serve you effectively!
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“I make this almost each week! I believed I hated cucumbers earlier than making an attempt this recipe. It’s a beautiful facet for any Asian meal.”
Jess
A Easy Aspect with Massive Taste
I like my creamy cucumber salad, however this salad is the one I make after I need one thing lighter and brighter. The rice vinegar dressing is tangy and calmly candy, whereas the toasted sesame oil and peanuts add a nutty taste and crunch that makes the entire bowl pop. I select to partially peel my cucumbers so as to add visible distinction and hold a bit of texture from the peel (however that’s completely optionally available!) This salad tastes just like the sort of Thai facet dish I’d order with takeout, nevertheless it’s simple and budget-friendly sufficient to make at dwelling!
- Don’t substitute the rice vinegar on this recipe! Rice vinegar has a uniquely gentle taste and acidity that’s simply good for this recipe. Whereas folks have substituted the rice vinegar with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, I discover them each a bit too sturdy for this recipe. Additionally, be aware to not use “seasoned” rice vinegar, which frequently incorporates different elements and tastes fairly totally different.
- Use toasted sesame oil. In contrast to common sesame oil, toasted sesame oil has a really sturdy nutty taste, and a bit of bit can actually add a LOT of taste to any dish. Yow will discover toasted sesame oil within the worldwide aisle of most main grocery shops or Asian grocery shops. It might not say “toasted” on the label, however you’ll know it’s toasted by the deep walnut coloration. Untoasted sesame oil is a light-weight straw coloration, like canola oil.
- Prep the cucumbers how you want them. Skinny cucumber slices take in the dressing shortly and switch softer as they sit (which I really like), whereas thicker slices hold extra crunch. You’ll be able to peel the cucumbers, depart the pores and skin on, or take away a couple of strips for a reasonably striped look. In order for you fewer seeds, halve the cucumber lengthwise and scoop the seeds out earlier than slicing.
- Alter the warmth. Add extra crushed pink pepper flakes in order for you a bit of further kick, or depart them out utterly for a milder salad. You don’t want to switch them with something.
- Swap the crunch. Peanuts add nice crunch, however you possibly can swap in one other nut you want or skip them altogether. Sesame seeds are an ideal different for those who nonetheless need a bit of texture however can’t have nuts.
Sesame Cucumber Salad
Price $2.88 recipe / $0.48 serving
This Thai Cucumber Salad is a fast, refreshing facet dish with crisp cucumbers, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, inexperienced onions, and crunchy peanuts.
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In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, crushed pink pepper, and salt. Set the dressing apart.
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Peel and slice the cucumber utilizing your favourite methodology (see pictures beneath for my method). Place the sliced cucumbers in a big bowl.
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Chop the peanuts into smaller items. Slice the inexperienced onions.
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Add the peanuts, inexperienced onions, and dressing to the sliced cucumbers. Stir to mix. Serve instantly or refrigerate till able to eat. Give the salad a short stir earlier than serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
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Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2-3 days. The cucumber will soften over time. Minimize the cucumber into bigger chunks in order for you it to remain crisper for longer.
Serving: 1ServingEnergy: 69kcal (3%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fats: 4g (6%)Sodium: 200mg (9%)Fiber: 1g (4%)
The best way to Make Sesame Cucumber Salad step-by-step pictures
Collect your entire elements.
Begin by making the dressing: In a small bowl, stir collectively ⅓ cup rice vinegar, 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp toasted sesame oil, ¼ tsp pink pepper flakes, and ½ tsp salt. Set the dressing apart.
Prep the cucumbers: Peel and slice two giant cucumbers nevertheless you want. I prefer to take away strips of the peel to create a cool striped impact as soon as they’re sliced. For those who don’t like cucumber seeds, you possibly can slice the cucumber lengthwise earlier than slicing into rounds and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds within the heart.
I want skinny slices so that there’s extra floor space to return into contact with the dressing. The thinner slices will grow to be mushy and wobbly after storing them within the dressing, however I sort of like that, too. For those who want them to remain crunchy longer, you’ll need to do thicker slices. Place the sliced cucumbers in a big bowl.
Assemble the salad: Roughly chop ¼ cup peanuts and slice 3 inexperienced onions, add them to the bowl with the cucumbers, then pour the dressing over prime. Lastly, stir all of it up and also you’re able to eat! Serve it instantly or refrigerate for later.
The flavors do get actually good because it sits within the fridge, though the cucumbers get softer (some folks don’t like that…I sort of do!). Both method, this Thai cucumber salad is tremendous refreshing and scrumptious. It at all times has been and at all times shall be my favourite!
Serving Recommendations
This sesame cucumber salad is my favourite sort of facet for saucy mains as a result of it provides crunch, tang, and a bit of freshness to the meal. I adore it with teriyaki salmon and white rice for a straightforward rice bowl dinner, or orange hen for a enjoyable takeout-fakeout meal. Our egg roll in a bowl additionally pairs fantastically with the sesame and peanut flavors on this salad. Or if I’m holding dinner meatless, my peanut tofu presents essentially the most scrumptious creamy, nutty combo!
Storage Directions
This sesame cucumber salad does get sort of limp within the fridge pretty shortly, nevertheless it’s nonetheless insanely good as soon as the cucumbers soften. They’re virtually like pickled cucumber slices at that time. They’ve been marinating within the spicy-sweet vinegar answer and are simply completely scrumptious! I take pleasure in this salad for about 2-3 days after making it (if I don’t eat all of it sooner). For those who like your cucumbers to remain crunchy, attempt chopping them into chunks as an alternative of skinny slices.
Attempt These Cucumber Salads Subsequent!
- When tomatoes are at their finest, I like tossing collectively this Tomato Cucumber Salad as a straightforward weeknight facet.
- This recent Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad is straightforward to make, retains effectively for days, and is ideal for summer season meals, potlucks, and BBQs.
- Candy mango, crisp cucumber, and crushed pink pepper make this Cucumber Mango Salad vivid, recent, and something however boring!
Our Thai Cucumber Salad recipe was initially revealed 7/15/09. We’ve up to date it to be the perfect it may be and republished 5/1/26.
