Asian Cucumber Salad
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jun. 5, 2025
This Asian Cucumber Salad is my go-to when I need something crisp, fresh, and full of flavor. It’s sweet, tangy, and ready in minutes.
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Asian Cucumber Salad is everything I want in a refreshing side dish. It’s crisp, bright, and comes together in minutes. Here’s why I love making it on repeat:
- Fresh and Flavor-Packed: Thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, and Thai basil soak up the most irresistible sweet, salty, tangy dressing. It tastes light but packs a flavorful punch.
- Just the Right Kick: A touch of garlic and red pepper flakes gives this salad a gentle heat that balances perfectly with the honey and lime juice, a lot like my Asian Chopped Salad.
- Ridiculously Easy: Just whisk the dressing, slice your veggies, toss, and you’re done. No cooking, no fuss, and it’s done in 10 minutes flat.
- Pairs with So Many Dishes: It’s the ideal sidekick for things like my Korean Beef Bowl or Air Fryer Tilapia, but I also love it alongside Grilled Chicken Breast or Grilled Teriyaki Salmon.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dressing can chill for a couple days and the salad holds up well if tossed just before serving. It’s my go-to for potlucks, BBQs, and make-ahead lunches.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Mini Cucumbers – Thinly sliced mini cucumbers offer a crisp bite and mild sweetness, perfect for soaking up the bold dressing without turning soggy.
- Lime Juice & Rice Vinegar – Fresh lime juice and seasoned rice vinegar create a bright, tangy base for the dressing that keeps the salad light and refreshing.
- Tamari Sauce – This gluten-free soy sauce alternative brings savory depth and umami to the dressing, tying all the flavors together.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Cucumber Options: Mini cucumbers are crisp and tender, but English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers work great too. Just avoid standard waxy cucumbers, which have tougher seeds and skin.
- Tamari Alternatives: Tamari adds rich umami flavor, but low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos are easy substitutes.
- Add Some Crunch: Toss in toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or crispy wonton strips right before serving for added texture and flavor.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Whisk together dressing ingredients. This can be done up to 2 days ahead. Dressing can be covered and chilled until ready to use.
- Toss with cucumber and remaining salad ingredients – enjoy!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make the Dressing Ahead: Whisk together the dressing ingredients up to 2 days in advance. Store it in a covered container in the fridge. Give it a quick stir before using, as ingredients may settle.
- Slice and Store: You can slice the cucumbers, onions, and green onions a few hours ahead and keep them in separate containers in the fridge. Wait to chop the Thai basil until closer to serving for best flavor.
What To Serve With Asian Cucumber Salad
Mains
- We love serving Asian Cucumber Salad with 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp. The cool, crisp cucumbers are the perfect contrast to the warm, savory shrimp.
- It also goes great with 30-Minute Beef Teriyaki, especially when we want a hearty, flavorful protein to round out the plate.
Rice and Noodles
- This salad pairs wonderfully with noodle dishes like Lo Mein Noodles, Easy Dan-Dan Noodles, or Pad See Ew (Thai Noodles). The fresh crunch of the cucumbers cuts through the richness of the noodles beautifully.
- It also goes great with a bowl of Easy Fried Rice and your favorite stir fried dishes, like our 30-Minute Asian Orange Beef.
BBQ and Grilled Pairings
- We love adding Asian Cucumber Salad to an easy BBQ spread. It’s cool, vibrant, and helps balance out smoky grilled meats.
- Try it with Grilled Lemon Chicken, Grilled Steak Tacos, or Grilled Red Snapper for a refreshing side that rounds out the plate perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cucumber?
Yes. While mini cucumbers are ideal for their crunch and small seeds, English cucumbers are a great substitute. They have tender seeds and a mild flavor, making them perfect for this salad.
What can I use instead of tamari?
You can substitute tamari with soy sauce if you’re not avoiding gluten. Coconut aminos is another alternative for a soy-free option.
Can I make it spicier?
Yes. Add more red pepper flakes to taste, or thinly slice a fresh chili pepper into the salad for an extra kick.
How long does the Asian cucumber salad recipe keep?
Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. The cucumbers will soften slightly over time but still taste great.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Asian Cucumber Salad
This Asian Cucumber Salad is my go-to when I need something crisp, fresh, and full of flavor. It’s sweet, tangy, and ready in minutes.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 4 TB honey
- 2 tablespoons tamari sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
For the Cucumber Salad:
- 4 cups cucumbers, mini, thinly sliced
- 4 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Thai basil, chopped
- ¼ cup red onions, chopped
Instructions
- Make the dressing by combining lime juice, seasoned rice vinegar, honey, tamari, garlic, fish sauce, red pepper flakes and kosher salt together in a bowl and gently whisk to combine well. Set aside.
- In a serving bowl, combine sliced mini cucumbers, green onions, chopped Thai basil, and red onions.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and gently toss to combine well.
- Let sit 10 minutes before serving, and toss again right before serving.
Notes
- Mini cucumbers work well for this salad because they are extra crisp and have fewer seeds. English cucumbers are also a great option with tender seeds and a mild flavor.
- Slice the cucumbers thinly and evenly to help them absorb the dressing and maintain a balanced texture. A mandoline can make this step quicker and more consistent.
- You can make the dressing up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature and whisk it again before using.
- If you prefer more umami flavor, you can add up to 2 teaspoons of fish sauce. It enhances the depth of flavor without overpowering the salad.
- Toss the salad just before serving for the best texture. If the cucumbers sit too long in the dressing, they may soften and lose their crunch.
- This recipe is part of our Asian Recipes Collection.
- This Asian Cucumber Salad goes well with just about any grilled dish. Try it with Grilled Lemon Chicken, Grilled Steak Tacos, or Grilled Red Snapper.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 387mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 174IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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