Description
A quick, crunchy, and refreshing Asian cucumber salad that comes together in under five minutes. This no-cook side dish features smashed cucumbers tossed in a savory, sweet, and sour dressing with garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large English cucumbers
- 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Wash the English cucumbers thoroughly. Do not peel them.
- Place a cucumber on a cutting board. Hold it firmly and use the back of a sharp knife to press down hard, smashing the cucumber until it cracks. Repeat for all cucumbers.
- Cut the smashed cucumbers into bite-sized pieces, preferably diagonal cuts to increase surface area. Place them in a mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss gently to ensure every piece is coated.
- Let the salad sit for one minute to allow the dressing to marinate slightly.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Toss one final time and serve immediately.
Notes
Smashing the cucumbers creates rough edges that hold more dressing, enhancing flavor absorption. If cucumbers release too much water, drain it before serving to maintain crunch. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes for better flavor. The salad is best eaten fresh but keeps in the fridge for up to two days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: Asian cucumber salad, quick side dish, vegan salad, gluten-free side, summer salad, no-cook recipe, healthy snack, meal prep