Description
A quick and refreshing Easy Asian Cucumber Salad featuring crisp Persian cucumbers seasoned with a flavorful mix of sesame oil, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, and sesame seeds. Perfect as a light side dish or appetizer, this salad brings a balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes with a crunchy texture, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 5 Persian cucumbers
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic (optional)
Seasonings & Condiments
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3/4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2-1 tbsp sugar
- 3/4 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Slice Cucumbers: Rinse the Persian cucumbers thoroughly. Slice one end of each cucumber at an angle, continuing to make angled slices so that the pieces appear oval-shaped rather than perfectly round. Adjust slice thickness to your preference for crunchiness and bite size.
- Salt and Refrigerate: Place the sliced cucumbers into a bowl or container and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well to ensure all slices are coated. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the cucumbers to release excess water, which enhances their crunchiness.
- Drain and Rinse: After the chilling period, drain the liquid that has accumulated from the cucumbers. Quickly rinse the cucumber slices under cold water for about 10 seconds to remove excess salt without washing away flavor, then drain thoroughly and return them to the bowl or container.
- Add Dressing Ingredients: To the cucumbers, add 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil, 3/4 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1/2 to 1 tablespoon sugar (adjust based on your preferred sweetness), 3/4 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon chili oil for heat, 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds, and the optional 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic if using.
- Mix and Serve: Stir all ingredients together thoroughly until the cucumbers are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill briefly before serving. Enjoy this fresh, flavorful salad as a side dish or light appetizer.
Notes
- Sugar quantity can be adjusted between 1/2 to 1 tablespoon depending on desired sweetness.
- Minced garlic is optional and adds a pungent depth to the salad.
- Refrigeration after salting helps draw out excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture.
- Short rinsing post-salting removes excess salt but retains flavor.
- Use fresh Persian cucumbers for best crunch and flavor.
- Chili oil can be adjusted or omitted to control the spiciness according to taste.
