Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

A wooden bowl filled with Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad.

Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

Looking for a quick and refreshing side? This Asian cucumber salad recipe is your 10-minute ticket to a zesty, vegan palate-cleanser! Light, tangy, and full of umami, it’s inspired by Japanese Sunomono or Kyuri salad. With minimal ingredients and bold flavors, this homemade cucumber salad pairs beautifully with any Asian or fusion meal. Try my version today—easy, flavorful, and perfect for summer!

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian, Japanese, oriental

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings people

Calories 266.69kcal

Author Priya Lakshminarayan

Equipment

Salad Bowl

Ingredients

1 cucumber
2 tablespoon crushed peanuts
2 tablespoon shredded coconut
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-2 green chilly
1 teaspoon cumin powder
¼ cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon dukkah optional
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon sweet seasoning sauce or sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt

Instructions

Peel and chop the cucumbers, then add them to a bowl. You can also slice them thinly, smash them, or cut them into spirals for variety. Chef tip: Sprinkle salt over the cucumbers and let them sit for 15 minutes to release excess water. This process, called sweating, helps make the cucumbers crunchier. Afterward, discard the water and rinse the cucumbers well.
Add crushed peanuts and shredded coconut to the bowl.
Next, add red pepper flakes, cumin powder, mustard powder, chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, dukkah (optional), and minced green chilies.
Pour in olive oil, vinegar, and sweet seasoning sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly using salad spoons. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If time allows, let the salad marinate for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

When tossing the salad, be gentle to avoid mashing the cucumbers — you want to keep them crisp and crunchy. If you have a peanut allergy, simply substitute crushed peanuts with hemp seeds, toasted sesame seeds, or sliced almonds for a similar nutty texture and flavor. For even flavor distribution, premix all the seasoning ingredients and then pour the mixture over the chopped cucumbers. This ensures every bite is perfectly seasoned.

Nutrition