Zesty Asian Cucumber Sesame Salad Recipe: Fresh & Fab

Cool cucumber salads revamp ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with their refreshing Asian sesame magic.

Crisp vegetables meet nutty, aromatic seasonings that dance across your palate with vibrant intensity.

These delightful side dishes blend tangy and smooth textures that surprise and delight hungry diners.

Light and zesty ingredients create a harmonious symphony of flavors that elevate simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Bright green slices complement rich sesame notes, offering a perfect balance between crunch and delicate seasoning.

Nutritious and quick to assemble, this salad represents a fast track to deliciousness that anyone can master.

Summer gatherings and weeknight dinners deserve something special that takes minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Why Asian Cucumber Sesame Salad Is So Refreshing

• Crunch into Freshness: This salad bursts with crisp, raw vegetables that deliver a satisfying crunch and vibrant texture in every bite.
• Quick and Easy Prep: With just 25 minutes of total time, this recipe offers a speedy solution for healthy, delicious eating without complicated cooking techniques.
• Nutrition-Packed Delight: Loaded with low-calorie vegetables and a zesty sesame dressing, this salad provides a nutrient-dense meal that supports wellness and keeps you feeling light and energized.
• Customize Your Flavor: The flexible recipe allows easy modifications with different vegetables or added protein, making it perfect for personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for a Crunchy Cucumber Sesame Salad

• Cucumbers, Carrots: Fresh, crisp vegetables that provide a crunchy base for the salad, seedless cucumbers work best for a clean texture.
• Sweet Pepper: Adds vibrant color and sweet crunch to the salad, choose a ripe, firm pepper.

• Green Onion: Provides a mild onion flavor, use only green parts for low FODMAP diet.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, herbaceous notes to the salad.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps draw out moisture from vegetables.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty flavor and crunchy texture, white or black seeds work well.

• Rice Vinegar, Lime Juice: Tangy acids that balance and brighten the salad's flavor.
• Coconut Aminos, Soy Sauce, Tamari: Provides umami and saltiness, choose based on dietary needs.
• Maple Syrup, Honey, Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the dressing.
• Ginger: Brings a spicy, warm note to the dressing.
• Sesame Oil: Adds rich, nutty flavor characteristic of Asian cuisine.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides optional heat and spice to the salad.

How to Toss the Perfect Asian Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Prepare Cucumbers

Trim the ends of cucumbers. Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to create cucumber noodles. Place cucumber noodles in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 5-10 minutes to remove excess water.

Step 2: Chop Supporting Vegetables

Spiralize or peel carrots into thin strips. Dice sweet pepper into small pieces.

Step 3: Create Zesty Dressing

• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Step 4: Remove Moisture from Cucumbers

Gently pat cucumber noodles dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to eliminate remaining water.

Step 5: Combine Salad Components

• Cucumber noodles
• Spiralized carrots
• Diced sweet pepper
• Prepared dressing

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh cilantro leaves

Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crunch.

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Calories: 102 kcal | Servings: 4

Tips for Crisp, Flavorful Cucumber Sesame Salad

• Drain Excess Moisture: Salt cucumbers beforehand to remove water, ensuring a crisp and crunchy salad texture that prevents soggy noodles.
• Whisk Dressing Thoroughly: Blend dressing ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-combined sauce that coats every vegetable evenly.
• Slice Vegetables Precisely: Use sharp knife or spiralizer to create uniform, thin vegetable cuts for consistent flavor and elegant presentation.
• Serve Immediately: Toss salad just before serving to maintain fresh, vibrant colors and prevent vegetables from becoming limp or wilted.
• Customize Seasonings: Adjust dressing ingredients like rice vinegar or sesame oil to match personal taste preferences and create a personalized flavor profile.

How to Keep Asian Cucumber Sesame Salad Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy vegetables.
• Moisture Management: Pat excess moisture with paper towels before storing to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting.
• Refreshing Tip: Drain any accumulated liquid and gently toss with fresh herbs and a splash of dressing before serving to revive the salad's vibrant flavors and crunch.

Light Dishes That Match Asian Cucumber Salad

• Pair with Crisp Sake: Enhance the salad's refreshing cucumber flavor with a chilled, light Japanese sake that complements the sesame and bright vegetable notes.
• Match with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside seared salmon, teriyaki chicken, or tofu to add protein and create a balanced, satisfying meal with contrasting textures.
• Combine with Jasmine Rice: Create a complete dish by serving the cucumber salad over warm jasmine rice, which absorbs the dressing and provides a soft, neutral base for the vibrant vegetables.
• Blend with Cold Noodle Dishes: Transform the salad into a side for chilled soba or rice noodles, amplifying the Asian-inspired flavor profile and adding cool, crunchy elements to the plate.

Creative Add-Ins for Asian Cucumber Sesame Salad

• Spicy Sesame Cucumber Remix: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or red chili flakes to the dressing for a fiery kick that transforms the original salad into a zesty experience.
• Mediterranean Herbed Version: Replace cilantro with fresh mint and parsley, swap sesame seeds for crumbled feta cheese, and incorporate a splash of lemon juice for a Greek-inspired profile.
• Protein-Packed Cucumber Salad: Mix in grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to elevate the dish from a side to a complete meal, providing extra protein and sustenance.
• Pickled Crunch Variation: Quick pickle the cucumbers in rice vinegar with a touch of sugar for 10-15 minutes before assembling, creating a tangy and crisp texture that adds depth to the original recipe.

Asian Cucumber Sesame Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crisp cucumber salad brings Korean-inspired zest to your table with tangy sesame dressing. Cool, refreshing slices mingle with nutty seeds, offering a perfect side that delivers bold flavors and satisfying crunch you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 2 large seedless cucumbers
• 2 large carrots
• 1 sweet pepper, chopped
• 1 green onion, sliced (green part only for low FODMAP)

Seasonings and Seeds:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, white or black
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• Additional salt to taste

Herbs and Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (about ½ lime)
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (for paleo) or gluten-free soy sauce/tamari
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (can substitute with honey or sugar)
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Trim cucumber ends and transform into delicate spirals or thin strips using a spiralizer or julienne tool, then sprinkle with salt to extract excess moisture.
2. Allow cucumber noodles to rest in a colander for 5-7 minutes, enabling water to drain naturally.
3. While cucumbers release moisture, prepare complementary vegetables by spiralizing carrots into elegant ribbons and finely chopping sweet peppers.
4. Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together sesame, vinegar, and seasoning components in a separate mixing vessel.
5. Thoroughly pat cucumber noodles with clean kitchen towels, eliminating remaining liquid to ensure crisp texture.
6. Consolidate cucumber noodles, carrot ribbons, and sweet pepper fragments in a spacious mixing bowl.
7. Gently cascade dressing over vegetable medley, ensuring even coating and balanced flavor distribution.
8. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro leaves for aromatic complexity.
9. Serve immediately to preserve crispness and maximize flavor profile, presenting a refreshing Asian-inspired salad.

Notes

• Spiralizing transforms ordinary vegetables into restaurant-worthy noodles, creating a light, refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg