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Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe

4.7 from 136 reviews

This refreshing Thai Cucumber Salad features crisp English cucumbers tossed with a tangy and sweet dressing made from rice vinegar, lime juice, and a touch of Sambal for mild heat. Enhanced with crunchy peanuts, aromatic cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds, this salad delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it an ideal side dish or light snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 lb English cucumbers
  • ⅓ cup red onions, sliced
  • 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

Dressing & Seasoning

  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp monk fruit/allulose (or sweetener of choice)
  • 1 tbsp Sambal
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp salt

Garnish

  • ¼ cup peanuts, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cucumbers: Wash, dry, and slice the English cucumbers into thin pieces. Optionally, peel some of the skins using a citrus zester to improve texture and reduce bitterness.
  2. Make Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, grated garlic, fresh lime juice, Sambal, salt, toasted sesame oil, and the chosen sweetener until fully combined.
  3. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumbers, chopped peanuts, sliced red onions, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro.
  4. Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
  5. Rest and Serve: Allow the salad to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature. This resting time helps the flavors to meld together beautifully before serving.

Notes

  • For added texture, peel some cucumber skin using a zester to avoid a tough peel.
  • Adjust the level of Sambal to control the spiciness of the salad.
  • Monk fruit or allulose can be substituted with other sweeteners like honey or sugar, but sweetness levels may vary.
  • This salad is best served fresh within a day to maintain crispness.
  • Chilling the salad after tossing will enhance its refreshing qualities.

Keywords: Thai cucumber salad, cucumber salad recipe, Thai side dish, gluten free salad, refreshing salad, healthy cucumber salad