Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe (One Bowl)

Quick and easy cucumber salad recipe, made with simple ingredients in one pot/ bowl in 10 minutes. It's spicy, tangy because of vinegar and red chili flakes.

This simple salad is a wonderful way to use up all those garden cucumbers. It's refreshing, fresh, inspired by Asian flavors and makes a quick side dish. There is also a spicy kick and nutty crunch from the sesame seeds. If you enjoy this flavor profile, check out my Asian Ramen Noodle Salad (One Bowl).

Key ingredients

• Cucumbers- Make sure they are peeled and sliced.
• Ginger- It's best to use fresh that is minced.
• Vinegar- Adds a bit of tangy tartness.
• Olive oil- Used as part of the dressing.
• Sesame oil- Don't skip this ingredient, because it adds an essential flavor.
• Honey- Brings in a touch of sweetness that balances out the vinegar.
• Soy sauce- Always use low sodium to avoid saltiness.
• Salt- Adjust according to your preference.
• Red chili flakes- Adds a little kick.
• Sesame seeds- Toasted bring in more flavor.

Variations

• Add tomatoes- I like to add 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half.
• Creamy version- Add ¾ cup sour cream, mayonnaise or yogurt.
• Use onions- Add ½ cup thinly sliced onions.
• Toss in some tomatoes and onions- Add ½ cup thinly sliced onions and 1 cup cherry tomatoes.
• Add Avocados- Olive oil-
• Use avocado and tomatoes- Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes and 1 roughly chopped avocado.
• Feta tomato salad- Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes and sprinkle ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese on top.
• Cucumber dill salad- Add 2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill.
• Add watermelon- Use this Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint (One Bowl).
• Use sugar- As a honey substitute.

How do you make cucumber salad with vinegar?

1. Mix together- Ginger, vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, and salt in a salad bowl.
2. Toss in- The sliced cucumbers.
3. Sprinkle- Red chili flakes and sesame seeds and you are done.

What to serve with cucumber salad?

This fresh salad is perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. Serve it alongside burgers, hot dogs, wraps or sandwiches like this Loose Meat Sandwich (One Pot). Or put it alongside smoked, baked or grilled steak, pork chops, or salmon. I especially like it with chicken, such as this Honey Garlic Chicken (One Pan), Chili Lime Chicken (One Pan), or even Lemon Pepper Chicken (One Pan).

Tips and techniques

• Cucumbers can be sliced thin or thick- For maximum flavor, cut thin slices because they will absorb the ingredients and flavors quicker.
• Adjust the amount of red chili flakes- Based on your preference.
• Add more flavor- With some finely chopped green onions.
• You must use sesame oil- Because it adds a distinct Asian flavor.
• Use toasted sesame seeds- Because they have more flavor than non-toasted sesame seeds.
• Use low sodium soy sauce- Because you don't want your dish getting overly salty.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- I don't recommend this. This particular salad is best served fresh.
• Refrigerate- This is one of those salads where leftovers cannot be stored overnight because cucumbers release a lot of water, making the salad watery.
• Freeze- Leftovers should not be stored in the freezer, because upon thawing the cucumbers lose their crunch and it's not as appetizing.

More salad recipes

• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing (One Bowl)
• Waldorf Salad (One Bowl)
• Cherry Tomato Salad (One Bowl)
• Creamy Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad (One Bowl)
• Strawberry Spinach Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing (One Bowl)

Recipe