Marinated Asian Cucumber Salad

Light, Crisp & Refreshing! 🥒✨

If you’re looking for a light, tangy, and refreshing side dish, this Marinated Asian Cucumber Salad is a must-try! With crisp cucumbers, a savory-sweet dressing, and just the right amount of tang and crunch, it’s the perfect side to balance rich, saucy dishes like stir-fries, grilled meats, or sticky chicken.

This salad is quick to make, requires simple ingredients, and gets even better as it marinates—making it an ideal make-ahead dish for meal prep or entertaining. It pairs perfectly with my Crock Pot Sticky Asian Thighs.

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Salad

✔ Light & Refreshing – Crisp cucumbers and a flavorful dressing.✔ Easy & Fast – Ready in just 10 minutes!✔ Pairs Well with Everything – A perfect balance to bold, savory dishes.✔ Make Ahead Friendly – The flavors get even better as it marinates.

The Recipe: Marinated Asian Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 large English cucumbers (or 4-5 mini cucumbers)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ cup rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

• 2 green onions, sliced thin (optional)

📌 Optional Add-Ins:

• Thinly sliced red onion for extra bite.

• Crushed peanuts or cashews for crunch.

• A splash of sriracha for some heat.

Instructions:

1. Slice the Cucumbers

• Thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference.

• Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with salt.

• Let sit for 5-10 minutes to draw out excess water, then pat dry with a paper towel.

📌 Pro Tip: Salting the cucumbers first keeps them crisp and prevents a watery salad!

2. Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.

📌 Pro Tip: Taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or spice to your liking.

3. Toss & Marinate

• Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss until well coated.

• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

• Let the salad marinate for at least 15–20 minutes (or up to overnight) for maximum flavor.

📌 Pro Tip: The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it becomes!

4. Serve & Enjoy!

• Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light side dish to grilled meats, stir-fries, or rice bowls.

How to Store & Make Ahead

🥒 Make Ahead: This salad tastes best after marinating for a few hours, making it great for meal prep.🥡 Store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.❄️ Do Not Freeze: Cucumbers will lose their crunch if frozen.

Perfect Pairings

This Marinated Asian Cucumber Salad is a perfect side dish for:

🥢 Sticky Asian Crock Pot Chicken – The cool, crisp cucumbers balance the sweet & savory sauce.🍛 Chicken Stir Fry – Adds freshness to a hearty stir-fry meal.🍜 Sesame Noodles – A great light side to go with any noodle dish.🥡 Grilled Teriyaki Salmon – The acidity pairs beautifully with rich fish dishes.

Why This Recipe is a Must-Try

This Marinated Asian Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. It’s easy to make, pairs with just about anything, and gets better as it sits—perfect for meal prep or last-minute sides.

If you try this recipe, tag me on Instagram @WeeknightHomemaker—I’d love to see how you enjoy this crisp, tangy cucumber salad!

Happy cooking!Lauren 💕

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