Description
This Japanese Cucumber Salad is the kind of easy recipe I love making when I want something crisp, cool, and packed with bright flavor in minutes. Thin cucumber slices get tossed in a light sweet and tangy dressing with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame for a fresh side dish that fits everything from quick lunch spreads to easy dinner ideas. It is a healthy snack, refreshing salad, and simple food idea that works beautifully for warm days, meal prep, and light homemade meals.
Ingredients
4 medium Japanese cucumbers or 5 Persian cucumbers
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup baby spinach or fresh basil leaves
Instructions
1. Wash the cucumbers and slice them thinly into rounds or angled pieces.
2. Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
3. Gently squeeze or pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
5. Add the cucumbers to a serving bowl and pour the dressing over them. Toss until evenly coated.
6. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and add the baby spinach or basil leaves.
7. Chill the salad for 10 to 20 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
Patting the cucumbers dry after salting helps the dressing stay flavorful instead of watery.
For the best texture, serve the salad chilled the same day you make it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Japanese cucumber salad, cucumber salad, easy salad recipe, healthy snack, quick lunch, easy dinner ideas, refreshing side dish, simple food ideas, Asian salad