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Home » Weeknight Meals » Keto Meals

Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad

by lena

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This Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad features bright flavors of ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. It’s a keto and Whole30-friendly side dish that can be whipped up in no time!

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Large bowl with asian cucumber salad with a serving spoon and sesame seeds on the side.

An easy and flavorful side dish

It’s amazing what you can do using a few simple ingredients. This Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad is no exception, with bright and tangy flavors and a short list of ingredients. It’s a tasty side dish that’s fresh and light.

I love to whip up fun and flavorful salads because guess what: salad doesn’t have to be boring! There are so many options available to make salads filling, light, satisfying, or whatever you want.

Whether you need a boost of flavor or a quick side dish, this keto and Whole30 approved Asian Cucumber Salad is the perfect option!

Seperate bowls with asian cucumber salad ingredients

Asian Cucumber Salad Ingredients

The secret’s in the dressing! Cucumbers are obviously a staple in this salad recipe, but all the flavor comes from the dressing. 

Whip it up using these easy ingredients:

  • English cucumbers
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sesame oil
  • Ginger
  • Sea salt
  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds

How To Make This Recipe

This simple salad recipe is so easy to make. It comes together in 5 minutes and doesn’t require any fancy tools. 

Here’s how to make my Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad:

  1. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, thinly slice the cucumber and add into a medium bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk all of the dressing ingredients together. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss together.
  3. Add sliced green onions and sesame seeds, then lightly toss together one last time.
  4. Let the salad marinate in the dressing for 5 minutes, then serve.

Do I need to marinate the cucumbers?

The cucumbers only need to marinate for 5 minutes in the Asian dressing before serving. You can let them sit for longer, however, the cucumbers will naturally release their liquid the longer they sit. This will thin out the dressing slightly.

Should I Peel The Cucumbers First?

It’s up to you! I like the added crunch and fiber when the cucumber peel is left on. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin or wash the cucumbers well and leave it on.

Large bowl of asian cucumber salad topped with dressing and green onions

Customize The Flavors

This cucumber salad recipe is very versatile and can take on a number of flavors to fit your palate! Try these recommendations if you want to mix up the dressing or salad:

  • Try a touch of honey or agave syrup to add sweetness in the dressing.
  • You can even add a little heat in the dressing with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or sriracha.
  • Use my Asian ginger sauce for a stronger flavor!
  • Add additional veggies to the salad like edamame, radishes, red peppers, or red onion for crunch.
Close-up of large bowl with asian cucumber salad with a spoon

How To Serve

This cucumber salad recipe is best served after sitting for a few minutes in the dressing. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Any longer and the cucumber slices may lose their crunch and the dressing will become watery.

Serve this easy side salad with any of these tasty mains:

  • Crispy Skin Salmon With Veggies And Noodles
  • Air Fryer Asian Pork Meatballs
  • Asian Pork Lettuce Cups
Large bowl of asian cucumber salad topped with sesame seeds and green onions

Did you remake this Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad? Don’t forget to tell me what you think in the comments below, or share a picture on Instagram! I love to share all of your recreations on my page.

Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad

4.1 from 16 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
rest time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Lena Gladstone
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
This Easy 5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad features bright flavors of ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. It’s a keto and Whole30-friendly side dish that can be whipped up in no time!

Ingredients

  • 1 English cucumber thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp ginger grated
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Using a mandolin or sharp knife, thinly slice the cucumber and add into a medium bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk all of the dressing ingredients together. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss together.
  • Add sliced green onions and sesame seeds, then lightly toss together one last time.
  • Let the salad marinate in the dressing for 5 minutes, then serve.

Notes

  • The cucumbers only need to marinate for 5 minutes in the Asian dressing before serving. You can let them sit for longer, however, the cucumbers will naturally release their liquid the longer they sit. This will thin out the dressing slightly.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Any longer and the cucumber slices may lose their crunch and the dressing will become watery.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: appetizer, asian, keto, salad, side dish, sides, vegan, vegetarian, whole30

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1168mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 277IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

You might also like:
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy Glaze
10-Minute Sweet and Smoky Oven Baked Salmon
Spicy Smoky Red Chimichurri Sauce
French Onion Chicken Meatballs (Low Carb)

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Recipe Rating




Reviews
Questions

Comments

  1. Erin

    at

    5 stars
    Loved the ginger in here!

    Reply
  2. Lana Akinshin

    at

    5 stars
    I love how refreshing the salad is and how quickly it is put together! Perfect for last minute dinner plans. Thank you Lena for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Alisha

    at

    5 stars
    It was so light and fresh!! Thank you!!!’

    Reply
  4. kristina khabovets

    at

    5 stars
    We loved this easy cucumber salad along with your salmon recipe. What a great and refreshing salad. Can’t wait to make it again.

    Reply

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Welcome, glad you’re here!

Hi, I’m Lena Gladstone, the recipe developer and food photographer behind Lena’s Kitchen. Here you will find approachable food recipes to share with the whole family. Keto friendly, weeknight dinners all made with fresh ingredients. Click here to learn more!

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