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Fresh Asian Cucumber Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

fresh asian cucumber salad - featured image
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A quick, refreshing Asian cucumber salad featuring a bright and velvety sesame ginger dressing, perfect as a light meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced (or 3 medium Persian cucumbers)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: 1 small carrot, julienned
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon chili flakes or a dash of sriracha

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cucumbers well under cold water. Slice them thinly into half-moons or rounds about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. For extra crispness, place slices in a colander, sprinkle lightly with salt, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
  2. Thinly slice green onions including green tops. If using, julienne the carrot into 2-inch (5 cm) matchsticks. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce (3 tbsp), rice vinegar (2 tbsp), toasted sesame oil (1 tbsp), honey (1 tbsp), grated fresh ginger (1 tsp), and minced garlic (1 clove). Whisk vigorously until well blended and slightly emulsified. Add chili flakes or sriracha if desired.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine cucumbers, green onions, and carrots. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds (1 tbsp) over the salad and toss lightly once more.
  6. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. It can be served immediately if needed.

Notes

Salting cucumbers before dressing helps prevent sogginess; rinse and pat dry after salting. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Freshly grated ginger is preferred over powder for brightness. Chill salad for at least 15 minutes for best flavor. If too salty, add a splash of water or fresh lime juice. Avoid over-tossing to prevent watery salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber salad, Asian salad, sesame ginger dressing, quick salad, healthy side dish, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/fresh-asian-cucumber-salad-recipe-easy-sesame-ginger-dressing-guide/