Cucumber Sesame Salad

Everyone needs a few go-to cucumber salads in their rolodex, because you will eventually get tired of Greek Salad. I know, the truth hurts guys.

A cucumber salad somehow always finds its way onto my table. At the bare minimum, you can count on a small plate of sliced cucumber at dinner. My husband and I both grew up this way, and we carried this habit with us into adulthood.

This healthy salad is refreshing and full of flavor. I love the slightly sweet-tangy-nutty flavor combination of rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil and honey. The chili flakes add just the right amount of kick, and the trio of herbs lend a freshness to the cool cucumber and onion. 

Enjoy this salad year round as a side dish or light main. This salad is a MUST with my Cambodian Ribs with Cognac and Cinnamon. 

Sacha Hirschfeld

Cucumber Sesame Salad

Tangy, sweet, nutty, and refreshing; this healthy and flavorful salad has it all!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Chill 10 minutes mins

Total Time 17 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Salads, Sides

Cuisine: American, Japanese

Calories: 30

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 English cucumber halved lengthwise, seeds removed (a spoon works great), and thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup red onion halved and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tbsp honey
• ½ tsp dark sesame oil
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes optional
• 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped; a few torn pieces reserved for garnish
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp fresh mint
• ⅛ tsp toasted black sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

• 1 large bowl
• 1 small bowl
• 1 slotted spoon

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, add the sliced cucumbers and onions.
2. In another bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, salt, chili flakes, fresh dill and cilantro. 
3. Pour dressing over the cucumbers and onions. Toss it all together until cucumbers are coated. Cover and place the bowl in the fridge to chill for 10 minutes.
4. Once chilled, transfer onto a serving platter (using a slotted spoon), leaving behind any excess liquid.
5. Season with a little sea salt to taste.
6. Top the cucumber salad with fresh mint leaves, a few torn sprigs of dill and black sesame seeds.