Marinated Asian Cucumber Salad with Rice Vinegar

This Asian cucumber salad recipe is a perfect way to add a light, healthy dish to your spring and summer meals. The marinated cucumbers with just a little heat add interest without extra work. It’s easy and perfect for summer barbecues! Originally published September 11, 2013.

Today I spent more money at the grocery store than I have ever spent in my life. I actually got the shakes when I was checking out and saw the number go up and up and up. Sweaty, tremble-y hands, discombobulated, everything. I’m like the antithesis of a shopaholic.

It’s not that I can’t spend money. It’s just that usually when I spend that much money on something, I’ve thought about it for a while, and of course, talked to Eric about it. I can’t handle the fact that I just randomly went and spent hundreds of dollars on a Monday afternoon.

When Eric interviewed for his job, they talked to him about “sticker shock.” It’s something we were expecting. You don’t move to California and expect your grocery bill to be the same. Plus, whenever you move into a new place, you have to stock up on everything that is usually just already in your fridge: mayonnaise, salad dressing, and ice cream. What, ice cream isn’t a staple in your freezer? You will probably live longer than me.

Well, I’m just glad I’m so cheap that I took the time to pack up my entire pantry before we moved. When all the kitchen boxes were finally emptied, I had 4 pounds of powdered sugar, 30 or 40 cans of beans and tomatoes and fruit, 4 containers of cocoa powder, tons of pasta, Crisco, chocolate chips…you get the idea. I think I had more food packed in those boxes than my brother had in his entire kitchen (before I started cooking for them, of course).

You’ll love this Asian cucumber salad with rice vinegar

If you haven’t had a cucumber salad, you are in for a treat. This refreshing Asian cucumber salad is made with crisp cucumbers, tangy rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame for flavor. It’s light, crunchy, and perfectly balanced. It´s the kind of side dish that goes with everything from grilled meats to sushi or noodles or even just as a snack. 

Asian cucumber salad recipe ingredients

Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. Jump to the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!

• cucumber
• sweet onion
• rice vinegar
• sesame seeds

• dill, fresh or dried
• salt
• sugar
• red pepper flakes

Which cucumbers to use for cucumber Asian salad

If you go to the grocery store, you’ll probably see two kinds of cucumbers: a regular cucumber and a long, thin English cucumber. Regular cucumbers have noticeable seeds, which can sometimes be bitter (they don’t bother me, personally). English cucumbers are a bit sweeter and have only tiny seeds. Either one works great for this salad, but if you’d like to avoid needing to seed your cucumber, buy the English ones.

How to make Asian marinated cucumbers

Here’s how to make this Asian marinated cucumber salad. It’s simple, quick, and so satisfying. Start by thinly slicing your cucumbers with a chef’s knife or, better yet, a mandoline for those ultra-thin, flexible pieces that soak up all the flavor. 

Toast your sesame seeds until golden and fragrant, then whisk together the dressing ingredients. Toss everything together, making sure the cucumbers are well coated, and let the salad chill for at least an hour so the flavors can meld. The result is a light, delicate side dish that’s crisp, cool, and subtly tangy. 

Don’t expect a bold punch of flavor. This salad is all about freshness and balance. If you have a mandoline, definitely use it; if not, slicing by hand works just fine. Just remember that thin slices are key to this salad.