Description
A refreshing and light cucumber salad tossed in a savory soy, ginger, and garlic dressing. This easy-to-make no-cook dish features thinly sliced cucumbers marinated with a flavorful dressing and garnished with sesame seeds and fresh herbs, perfect as a side or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cucumbers
- 2 large cucumbers (English or Persian cucumbers work best)
- ½ teaspoon salt (to draw out excess moisture)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for sweetness)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Garnish (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon green onions or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prep the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and slice them thinly into rounds or half-moons to maximize flavor absorption.
- Salt the Cucumbers: Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, toss well and let sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture.
- Drain and Dry: After 5 minutes, drain the cucumbers and pat them dry gently using a paper towel to remove released water.
- Make the Soy-Ginger Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dressing and adjust the flavors by adding more vinegar for tanginess, honey for sweetness, or red pepper flakes for added spice as desired.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the drained cucumbers and toss thoroughly to coat every slice evenly with the dressing.
- Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions or cilantro over the salad for texture and fresh herbal notes.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately if you prefer a crisp, crunchy salad or let it sit for 15 minutes allowing flavors to deepen for a more intense taste.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this salad on its own or serve it alongside rice, noodles, grilled tofu, or your choice of meats for a balanced meal.
Notes
- Using English or Persian cucumbers is recommended because they have fewer seeds and thinner skins, resulting in a better texture.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity of the dressing to your preference by varying honey/maple syrup and vinegar quantities.
- This salad is best consumed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
- The red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted if you prefer a milder flavor.
- You can add fresh herbs like mint or basil along with cilantro for a different flavor profile.
