Easy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe (Fork Scraped)
This Asian cucumber salad recipe is super easy, full of flavour, and fun to make! By scraping the cucumbers with a fork, you create more nooks and crannies for the dressing to seep into. This equals maximum flavour! It's a refreshing, versatile salad that pairs beautifully with any protein, or enjoyed on its own. And with a tasty dressing of garlic, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos and more, you'll be eating it straight out of the bowl!
You've probably seen those viral smashed cucumber recipes, where they bash a cucumber with a rolling pin or mallet! This Asian cucumber salad has a similar concept by creating more cracks and creases for the dressing to seep into.
But instead of large chunks of smashed cucumber, we have thin slices of cucumber that look like tiny gears. I find them easier to eat, plus there's something about dragging a fork down the length of a cucumber that is very satisfying!
Why You'll Love this Asian Cucumber Salad
- It's Easy - What could be easier than slicing up some cucumbers, and making a delicious dressing to pour on top?!
- It's Quick - Only 5 minutes of prep and you're done! If you really want the cucumbers to stay extra crunchy, salt them for up to 20 minutes. But I sometimes skip this step and it's totally fine.
- It's packed with flavour - It's packed with so much flavour from the garlic, lime, coriander (cilantro) and more, that it's good enough to eat on its own! Easily remove the chilli so kids can enjoy this too.
- It's incredibly versatile - Asian cucumber salad pairs well with so many meals, like sticky coconut chilli prawns, Thai chicken larb salad, or sticky honey garlic salmon bites! It works perfectly with pretty much any protein as a light, crunchy, refreshing side dish!
Ingredients in this Asian Cucumber Salad
Best Cucumbers for Asian Cucumber Salad
I use Lebanese cucumbers in this recipe. Try to buy ones that are as firm and fresh as possible! You'll know they're fresh if the stem is still bright green, or if the end still has a bright yellow flower attached. This means it was picked very recently😉
Asian Cucumber Salad Dressing
For the dressing, you'll need apple cider vinegar, fresh lime juice, sesame oil, red pepper (chilli) flakes and garlic.
You'll also need coconut aminos. Coconut aminos are a soy-free alternative made from fermented coconut blossom sap. You can find them in the health food aisle at Woolies (and in most Coles) if you're in Australia! It's less salty than soy, and has a subtle sweetness. But feel free to substitute with soy sauce if you have no issues with soy.
You'll also need black and white sesame seeds and coriander (cilantro) - leaves and stems! The stems have so much flavour and crunch, that they make this Asian cucumber salad truly spectacular.
How to Make this Fork Scraped Asian Cucumber Salad
This Asian cucumber salad is so easy to make, you only need 5 minutes of actual hands-on time! And it's really only three steps: scrape, salt, and dress!
Step 1: Scrape Scrape Scrape!
First, the fun part! Grab a fork and scrape it down the length of the cucumbers to make grooves and ridges.
Cut them into even slices (they'll look like tiny little gears!)⚙️
Step 2: Salt and Drain Cucumbers
Next, salt the cucumber slices, and let any excess liquid drain for 20 minutes (or up to 30 minutes). This just helps keep the cucumber slices extra crunchy. But, if you're in a rush, feel free to skip this step! The salad will be a tiny bit more watery, but still delicious!
Step 3: Make Salad Dressing, and Mix!
Make the dressing for your Asian cucumber salad by combining all other ingredients (except the coriander leaves).
Pour the dressing over your cucumber slices. Mix to coat, and just before serving, toss through the fresh coriander leaves so they don't go soggy.
Told you this was an easy, quick salad!
What to Serve Asian Cucumber Salad With
I love serving this salad with any Asian-inspired meal. Whether that's an authentic Thai chicken larb salad with giblets, or alongside a bowl of sticky coconut chilli prawns. Here I've served it with my sticky honey garlic salmon bites which take only 15 minutes to make!
But let's be frank. Sometimes you just want something crunchy, refreshing and delicious. That's why this Asian cucumber salad is also perfect enjoyed on its own, on a hot summer's day!
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe! If you tried it and loved it, I would be so grateful if you left a 5-star review and a comment to let me know how it went! xxx
This Asian cucumber salad recipe is super easy, full of flavour, and fun to make! By scraping the cucumbers with a fork, you create more nooks and crannies for the dressing to seep into. This refreshing, versatile salad pairs beautifully with any protein, or enjoyed on its own!
- 3 large Lebanese cucumbers (or 4 medium ones)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce, see Note 1)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Juice from half a lime
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 small garlic clove (grated)
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp white sesame seeds
- 1/4 bunch coriander (leaves and stalks - leaves roughly chopped, stalks finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 Use a fork to firmly scrape down the length of the cucumbers all the way around. Cut evenly into 5mm (1/4 inch) slices.
- 2
Place the slices into a colander sitting in a bowl. Sprinkle on the salt, mix, and let any excess liquid drain for 20 minutes.
If needed, you can skip this step if you're in a rush. Just sprinkle on the salt, or add it to the dressing in the next step!- 3
Make the dressing by mixing the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Add the grated garlic, and the finely sliced coriander stalks (add coriander leaves at the end, see Note 2).
- 4
Once the cucumbers have drained, place them in a bowl, and pour the dressing on top. Mix, and then toss through the fresh coriander leaves just before serving. Enjoy!Note- 1. Coconut aminos are a soy-free alternative to soy sauce, made from fermented coconut blossom sap. The taste is not quite as salty as soy, and with a lovely subtle sweetness. But if you are using soy sauce, use half the required amount (half a tablespoon for this recipe) and adjust to taste, since soy sauce is noticeably saltier!
- 2. If serving this salad straight away, then just go ahead and add the leaves! But if you are letting the salad sit for a while, add the coriander (cilantro) leaves just before serving. The more they sit after being tossed through the salad, they lose their crisp texture and go limp.
Asian, cucumber, salad, dressing, scraped, smashed, recipe, easy, quick - 2
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