Asian Cucumber Salad with Roasted Peanuts Recipe
This Asian Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish featuring crisp cucumbers tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy dressing made from rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and garlic. Garnished with crunchy roasted peanuts and green onions, this salad is perfect for a light appetizer or a complement to your favorite Asian-inspired meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (store-bought or fresh)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Salad
- 3 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced (English cucumbers recommended)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and salt to taste. This creates a balanced dressing with tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
- Slice Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumbers using a sharp knife or mandoline for even, crisp pieces. Place the sliced cucumbers into a salad bowl.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the sliced cucumbers and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows the cucumbers to absorb the dressing and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Add Peanuts: Remove the salad from the refrigerator and sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts on top. The peanuts add a delightful crunch and enhance the texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the salad with thinly sliced green onions for a fresh bite and appealing presentation. Serve chilled.
- Enjoy: Savor your Asian Cucumber Salad as a refreshing side or light appetizer, enjoying the combination of crisp cucumbers, tangy dressing, and crunchy peanuts.
Notes
- If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of rice vinegar in the dressing.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of your soy sauce.
- Use English cucumbers for fewer seeds and a crisper texture.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Keywords: cucumber salad, Asian cucumber salad, sesame cucumber salad, Asian side dish, fresh cucumber salad, no-cook salad, healthy salad, crunchy cucumber salad