The best Asian Cucumber Salad with cucumbers, avocado, green onion, and a delicious sesame dressing. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and perfect as a light side dish for any meal.
Serve this alongside one of these popular recipes: chicken stir fry, coconut curry chicken, or chicken chow mein.
The Best Asian Cucumber Salad
When I was a kid, my mom used to make a simple salad with cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden. Just seasoned with lemon, salt, and pepper. Over the years, I’ve found lots of tasty versions, but this Asian Cucumber Salad is my favorite. It’s super easy, delicious, light, and goes great with so many dishes, like Asian ground turkey.
This recipe is quick to make and has the best simple dressing. Even though it’s usually served as a side dish at my place, I always end up filling most of my plate with it. I just can’t get enough!
Ingredients
This salad is very easy, with only three base ingredients and four dressing ingredients. It’s so simple to make!
- Cucumbers: Persian or English cucumbers work best here. You can even leave the skin on for more flavor and nutrients.
- Avocado: It makes the salad nice and creamy. Just make sure the avocado is ripe but firm so it doesn’t get mushy.
- Green onions: I use both the greens and whites, but if you want a milder flavor, just use the whites.
- Sesame oil: If possible, use toasted sesame oil for more flavor.
- White wine vinegar: Any clear vinegar can be used if you don’t have it, but white wine is my favorite here.
- White sugar: It adds a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Added for more sesame goodness. Toasted sesame seeds add extra flavor compared to regular.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Adds a little spice to this Asian cucumber salad.
Quick Tip
Totally optional: To get rid of extra water, you can salt the cucumbers before using them. Toss in a bowl with salt and let sit for 30 minutes. This makes the cucumbers crunchier and keeps the dressing from getting watered down. Skip this step if you’re in a rush.
How To Make Asian Cucumber Salad
- Combine Vegetables: Mix sliced cucumbers, chopped avocado, and sliced green onions in a bowl. Use a mandoline slicer for quick and even slices of your cucumbers.
- Prepare Dressing: Whisk together sesame oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, and optional red pepper flakes. Then, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Rest and Serve: Let the salad sit for a few minutes to let the flavors blend. Serve fresh!
Quick Tip
The ends of Persian or English cucumbers can be bitter, so make sure to cut them off for this dish.
Variations
Switch Things Up
- Make it spicier: Add more red pepper flakes and drizzle in some chili onion crunch for extra spice.
- Use Different Nuts and Seeds: Swap sesame seeds for chopped peanuts or sunflower seeds for a different texture and flavor.
- Add Protein: Toss in or serve with some grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a more filling salad.
- Change the Dressing: Try different dressings, like a peanut sauce or a ginger-soy vinaigrette, for a new flavor.
Asian Cucumber Salad Tips
- Chill the Veggies: Keep the veggies in the fridge before adding them to the Asian Cucumber Salad for extra crunch.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh, ripe veggies make the salad taste amazing.
- Choose Toasted Sesame Seeds: These have more flavor than regular ones. Look for them in the spice aisle.
- Stir Often: Once you’ve dressed the salad, toss often to mix the dressing well with the veggies.
- Season Well: Salt and pepper are key for flavor, so taste as you go to make sure it’s just right.
Storage
To store your Asian Cucumber Salad, use an airtight container and put it in the fridge right away. For the best flavor and texture, enjoy the salad within 1–2 hours.
If you need to store it longer, keep the dressing separate and mix just before serving. This keeps it from getting soggy. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and add a bit more dressing to freshen it up.
You can make this sesame dressing up to 3 days in advance to make your prep even quicker!
More Cucumber Filled Recipes
- Creamy Cucumber Salad refreshing and crunchy
- Tuna Salad just 15 minutes of prep, and you’ll be hooked
- Cucumber Feta Salad with the best lemon dressing
- Light and easy-to-make Cucumber-Pepper Salad
- Coconut Shrimp Salad ready in 20 minutes
Asian Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber if desired. I like to leave the peels on for flavor and nutrients. Thinly slice the cucumbers. Use a box grater with a vegetable slicing surface, a mandolin slicer, or a knife. Add the sliced cucumbers to a large bowl.
- Chop the avocado, measure 3/4 cup, and add to the salad. Thinly slice the white portion of the green onions, measure 1/4 cup, and add to the salad.
- 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. See note 1.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning to preference.
- For optimal flavors, let stand for about 10–15 minutes, stirring frequently, before serving. Salad is best enjoyed within 1–2 hours of being made.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yum, can’t wait to make this, but i will definitely add edamame, too!!
Delish! I’m excited for you to try it!
This is so addictive! I cheated and skipped the avocado because I didn’t have a ripe one. Still delicious! I was eating it out of the fridge all day like a jar of pickles.
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks for sharing Briana!
This is so fresh and delicious. Word to the wise though – she’s not lying on how you need to eat it in one day. I went back for a few days later and the avocado of course looked gross and the cucumbers weren’t as crisp. So make it and eat it all in one sitting! Lol.
So happy this was a hit! Thanks for your tips!
I 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. 😉
Yay! So happy to hear it 🙂 Thanks for the comment Eva!
This is a beautiful salad Chelsea and I can’t just get over your name is cute . 🙂
So light & refreshing, which is totally up my alley. Pinned!
This looks so easy and tasty. Must try! I am tempted to make a batch and eat it all week with my lunch. Nom nom 🙂
This is beautiful Chelsea! Totally reminds me of Spring and Summer (which, by the way, I can’t wait until… I’m so done with the snow!!!)
Love that this is a step away from the traditional creamy cucumber salad. It looks terrific!
I 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!