Oh, let me tell you about this Asian cucumber salad! It’s the ultimate refreshing dish, perfect for those hot summer days or anytime you crave something light and zesty. The crisp cucumbers paired with that tangy dressing—wow! It’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth! I remember the first time I made it for a family gathering; everyone kept coming back for seconds! The combination of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a hint of sweetness makes it irresistible. Plus, it’s so easy to whip up! Trust me, once you try this salad, it’ll become a staple at your table, just like it is at mine.
Ingredients List
Ready to gather the goodies? Here’s what you’ll need to make my fabulous Asian cucumber salad:
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar (feel free to adjust for sweetness!)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (for a little kick!)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for that perfect crunch)
Make sure you have everything prepped and ready to go, and let’s whip this salad up!
How to Prepare Asian Cucumber Salad
Alright, let’s get this salad party started! First, take those thinly sliced cucumbers and toss them into a large mixing bowl. They’re the star of the show, so don’t be shy! Next, in a separate bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and those fiery red pepper flakes. This dressing is where the magic happens! Once it’s well combined, pour it over the cucumbers. Give it a good stir, making sure every cucumber slice is coated in that tangy goodness.
Now, add the chopped green onions and sprinkle in the sesame seeds. I love the crunch they add! Toss everything together until it’s nicely mixed. For the best flavor, let it sit for about 15 minutes—this gives the cucumbers time to soak up all that delicious dressing. If you can, pop it in the fridge for a short chill; it makes every bite even more refreshing. And just like that, your Asian cucumber salad is ready to wow your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for busy weeknights!
- Refreshingly light and crisp, making it a fantastic side dish.
- Packed with nutrients from fresh cucumbers and green onions.
- Tangy dressing with just the right amount of sweetness and heat.
- Vegan and low in calories, so you can enjoy it guilt-free.
- Customizable with your favorite ingredients for endless variations.
Tips for Success
To make sure your Asian cucumber salad is absolutely perfect, here are a few handy tips! First, don’t skip the chilling time—letting it sit for at least 15 minutes really helps the flavors meld together beautifully. If you can, chill it in the fridge for a little longer; trust me, the colder it is, the more refreshing it tastes!
When it comes to sweetness, taste the dressing before pouring it over the cucumbers. If you like it sweeter, feel free to add a little more sugar. And if you want to amp up the crunch factor, consider adding some shredded carrots or even bell peppers. Enjoy playing around with different textures!
Variations
One of the best things about my Asian cucumber salad is how versatile it is! You can easily make it your own with a few fun tweaks. For a pop of color and extra crunch, try adding shredded carrots or thinly sliced bell peppers. Fresh herbs like cilantro or mint can really elevate the flavor profile—just chop them up and toss them in! Feeling adventurous? A splash of lime juice can add a zesty twist, or you can swap out the sesame oil for a drizzle of chili oil if you love heat. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!
Nutritional Information
Let’s talk nutrition! This Asian cucumber salad is not only delicious but also healthy. Here’s a breakdown of the typical nutritional values per serving (about 1 cup):
- Calories: 50
- Fat: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fiber: 1g
Please keep in mind that these values are estimates, as ingredients can vary. This salad is vegan and low in calories, making it a guilt-free addition to any meal!
FAQ Section
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common inquiries about my Asian cucumber salad:
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This salad can be prepped a few hours in advance. Just keep it chilled in the refrigerator to keep those cucumbers crisp!
What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
If you don’t have rice vinegar on hand, apple cider vinegar works well too. It adds a nice tangy flavor!
Can I add protein to this salad?
Definitely! Adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even tofu can turn this salad into a complete meal.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes! Just make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce if you’re avoiding gluten.
How long will leftovers last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, leftovers should stay fresh for about 2 days. Enjoy!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your Asian cucumber salad is super simple! Just transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for about 2 days, but trust me, it’s best enjoyed within the first day or two for maximum crunch and flavor. As for reheating, there’s no need! This salad is meant to be served cold and refreshing, so just give it a good stir before enjoying it again. If it’s been sitting for a while, you might want to add a splash more dressing to bring back that zesty zing!
For more delicious salad recipes, check out this pear and blue cheese salad or this beet and goat cheese salad!
Z nadrukami
Asian Cucumber Salad: 5 Reasons You’ll Crave This Delight
- Całkowity Czas: 15 minutes
- Ustępować: 4 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
A refreshing Asian cucumber salad with a tangy dressing.
Składniki
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instrukcje
- Slice cucumbers and place them in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers.
- Add chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Toss well to combine.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Uwagi
- Adjust the sugar for desired sweetness.
- Chill before serving for best flavor.
- Add carrots for extra crunch.
- Czas Przygotowania: 10 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 0 minutes
- Kategoria: Salad
- Sposób: Mixing
- Kuchnia: Asian
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cup
- Kalorie: 50
- Cukier: 2g
- Sód: 300mg
- Kwasy: 3g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 0g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 3g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 7g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Słowa kluczowe: asian cucumber salad
