Fresh Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing
A quick and easy fresh Asian cucumber salad featuring a crisp cucumber crunch and a flavorful homemade sesame-ginger dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or refreshing snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- A small handful of cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cucumbers thoroughly. Slice them thinly, about 1/8 inch thick. Place the sliced cucumbers in a medium bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, grated ginger, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk or shake well until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and toss gently to coat evenly, being careful not to smash the cucumbers.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro on top. Toss gently once more.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and cucumbers to soak up the dressing without losing their crunch.
Notes
Use English or Persian cucumbers for best texture. Toast sesame seeds yourself for deeper flavor. Adjust dressing sweetness and saltiness to taste. Chill salad before serving for best flavor and crunch. Drain excess liquid after resting if cucumbers release too much water and toss with fresh dressing to keep vibrant.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cucumber salad, Asian salad, sesame-ginger dressing, fresh salad, easy side dish, healthy salad, gluten-free, vegan option