Asian Cucumber Salad Sesame (Print Version)

Crisp cucumbers and green onions combined with a tangy sesame vinaigrette for a light, fresh side.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
05 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon sugar
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
10 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

# Steps:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt and toss to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then gently squeeze and drain off any liquid.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper until the sugar dissolves completely.
03 - Add the prepared dressing and sliced green onions to the cucumbers. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
04 - Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Top with toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, and red pepper flakes.
05 - Serve immediately for crisp texture, or chill for 10 to 15 minutes to enhance flavor development.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in minutes, which means you can have a restaurant-quality side dish ready before anyone even notices you're cooking.
  • The dressing is forgiving and actually gets better as it sits, so you can prep it hours ahead without stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip the salting step—it's not optional seasoning, it's the secret to keeping everything crisp.
  • The dressing should taste slightly too strong on its own, because it mellows and balances once it coats the mild cucumber.
03 -
  • If your cucumbers are particularly watery, slice them and let them sit in a colander for ten minutes before salting—it makes a noticeable difference.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds if you buy them untoasted; the aroma will remind you why this small step matters.
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