A simple and tasty Asian cucumber salad with cucumbers, avocado, green onion, and an addictive sesame dressing. This light and healthy salad makes a perfect side dish to just about any dinner!
Serve this Asian cucumber salad alongside one of these popular recipes: chicken stir fry, coconut curry chicken, or chicken chow mein.
Growing up, my mom would make a cucumber and tomato salad at least once a week with garden fresh veggies. She would slice the cucumbers, chop up tomatoes, add in some lemon juice, salt + pepper, and that was it!
While that simple salad is still one of our go-tos, I love switching it up a bit. This Asian cucumber salad has become one of our staple side dishes. It pairs well with so many recipes adding a crisp coolness to meat or sauce heavy dishes.
When making a cucumber salad, I’m all about simplicity. Since it’s not a main dish, it shouldn’t require the time a main dish does. So we’re keeping the ingredient list simple, the dressing easy, and the process quick. Let’s get started!
If you garden or find yourself with a plethora of cucumbers, it’s sometimes a tricky ingredient to get creative with. For this recipe, I call for a bag of Persian cucumbers. You may have a few leftover depending on their size, so I’ve got a few ideas for leftovers.
Asian cucumber salad tips
- Make sure the vegetables have previously been chilled. Especially if you are using garden vegetables (the BEST!) it’s important that they spend some time in the fridge prior to being made into this salad.
- Fresh ingredients are best: as always, the more ripe your veggies, the better the salad will taste.
- If you can, opt for toasted sesame seeds. They’re more flavorful than regular sesame seeds and should be stocked right next to regular sesame seeds in the spice asile of your grocery store.
- Stir frequently: once the dressing has been added, toss the salad often to ensure all the veggies are getting well marinated in that dressing.
- Don’t forget to season! Adding salt and pepper is especially important for a cucumber salad. Be sure to taste frequently as you season to your personal preference.
Enjoy everyone!
More delicious salads:
- Quinoa Salad with avocado
- Chickpea Salad Mediterranean inspired
- Cucumber Salad with a balsamic dressing
- Panzanella Salad with fresh corn and tomatoes
- Mandarin Orange Salad with an orange poppyseed dressing
A simple and tasty Asian cucumber salad with cucumbers, avocado, green onion, and an addictive sesame dressing. This light and healthy salad makes a perfect side dish to just about any dinner!
- 4 heaping cups thinly sliced Persian cucumbers (or English cucumbers) (
- 3/4 cup chopped avocado (~1 small ripe avocado)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (white parts only; about 4 onions)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional (increase or decrease for personal spice preference)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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Peel the cucumber if desired. I like to leave the peels on for flavor and nutrients.
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Thinly slice the cucumbers. (Use a box grater with a vegetable slicing surface, a mandolin slicer, or a knife). Add sliced cucumbers to a large bowl.
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Chop the avocado. Add to the salad. Thinly slice the green onions and add to the salad.
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In a mason jar, combine the sesame oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place lid on and shake to combine.
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Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning to preference.
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Let stand for about 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, before serving for optimal flavors.
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Salad best enjoyed within 1-2 hours of being made.
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You'll find there is more dressing than you might think is needed and there is generally leftover dressing after the salad is gone. The amount of dressing is important though because as you stir it frequently, all of the ingredients have a chance to "marinate" in the dressing.
This salad is best eaten right after being made and doesn't store very well. It's also best when the vegetables have previously been chilled.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
February 11, 2015 at 6:31 amI’ve never had a cucumber salad, so I’m loving the looks of this! So fresh. And I love how easy this is to whip up, too! Pinned!
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
February 11, 2015 at 8:39 amThis salad is making me crave summer!! I love how fresh and light it is!
Marti @ SewliciousHomeDecor says
February 11, 2015 at 9:37 amYUM! I bet it’s delicious!! I’m going to put it on my list to make!! 🙂
Mira says
February 11, 2015 at 10:29 amThis salad looks so fresh and delicipus. I would even add some feta cheese to it! Pinned for later!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
February 11, 2015 at 3:09 pmI love your “less is more” take on this salad! While it’s still the middle of winter here, I think I’ll make this salad soon because it makes me think of fresh, light meals on warmer days! Pinned!
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
February 11, 2015 at 4:26 pmthis looks delicious Chelsea! I am definitely going to try this 😉 YUMM pinned!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
February 11, 2015 at 6:18 pmLove how fresh and bright this salad is, Chelsea! It’s a perfect way to brighten up sad wintery days. 😀
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
February 11, 2015 at 9:27 pmVery Beautiful. I love all these ingredients and they should make a wonderful salad.
Beth @ bethcakes says
February 11, 2015 at 11:51 pmWow, what a gorgeous and colorful salad! You’re right, sometimes simple things are the best. So are family recipes! Pinned!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
February 12, 2015 at 12:02 amI absolutely love cucumber salads! This Asian version looks amazing Chelsea! Pinned
Kelly says
February 12, 2015 at 5:02 amI love this salad, Chelsea! My mom made a cucumber salad almost every night for us too because it was the only green stuff my oldest brother would eat at the time haha. Yours looks absolutely refreshing and delicious!
Rachel Cooks says
February 12, 2015 at 7:26 amLove that this is a step away from the traditional creamy cucumber salad. It looks terrific!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
February 12, 2015 at 1:28 pmThis is beautiful Chelsea! Love all the colors… and it’s so fresh and bright, totally reminds me of Spring and Summer (which, by the way, I can’t wait until… I’m so done with the snow!!!)
Melissa @ Bits of Umami says
February 13, 2015 at 2:33 pmThis looks so easy and tasty. Must try! I am tempted to make a batch and eat it all week with my lunch. Nom nom 🙂
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking says
February 15, 2015 at 7:13 pmI wish I could’ve been at all of your Sunday dinners — this salad looks lovely! So light & refreshing, which is totally up my alley. Pinned!
Peter says
March 18, 2015 at 7:43 pmThis is a beautiful salad Chelsea and I can’t just get over your name is cute . 🙂
Eva Paley says
July 24, 2019 at 6:30 pmI paired this salad with a Chickey Satay and Peanut Sauce dish and it was exactly what was needed. It was yummy. I loved that it came together quickly as well. 😉
Chelsea Lords says
July 30, 2019 at 8:25 amYay! So happy to hear it 🙂 Thanks for the comment Eva!