Asian Cucumber Salad Sesame (Printable)

Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a tangy sesame and rice vinegar dressing for a fresh, light dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
05 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
06 - 1 teaspoon sugar or maple syrup
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
10 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, optional
13 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt and toss to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then gently squeeze and drain off any liquid.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper until the sugar dissolves.
03 - Add the dressing and green onions to the cucumbers. Toss gently to combine.
04 - Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and red pepper flakes if desired.
05 - Serve immediately, or chill for 10 to 15 minutes for enhanced flavor development.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes flat, yet tastes like you fussed over it for hours.
  • The sesame oil transforms something as simple as cucumber into something memorable and craveable.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free without tasting like a compromise or restriction.
02 -
  • Skipping the salting step will result in a watery, sad salad—I learned this the hard way at a dinner party, and I've never rushed it since.
  • The dressing needs to be whisked properly so the sesame oil doesn't separate; it should look emulsified and silky, not oily on top.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes until they're fragrant—the difference is remarkable and worth the tiny bit of extra effort.
  • If your cucumbers are especially watery or seedy, you can halve them lengthwise and scoop out some seeds before slicing; this simple step elevates the entire salad.
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