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Fresh Japanese Cucumber Salad with Sesame-Soy Dressing

Fresh Japanese Cucumber Salad - featured image
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A crisp, light, and flavorful Japanese cucumber salad tossed in a quick and easy toasted sesame-soy dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or appetizer, ready in under 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium Japanese cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch or 3 mm thick)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mirin or honey
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced
  • Pinch of salt, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
  2. Add the sesame oil to the same pan and warm for about 30 seconds to release its aroma. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Slice the Japanese cucumbers thinly (about 1/8 inch or 3 mm thick) using a sharp knife or mandoline. Place slices in a mixing bowl.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the warmed toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin or honey, grated fresh ginger (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt.
  5. Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers. Toss gently with scallions and toasted sesame seeds until evenly coated.
  6. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If short on time, a 5-minute rest will suffice.
  7. Give the salad a final toss before serving. Adjust seasoning with more soy sauce or vinegar if needed.

Notes

Toast sesame seeds separately from sesame oil to avoid bitterness. Thin cucumber slices absorb dressing better. Lightly salt cucumber slices and let sit 5 minutes before dressing to draw out moisture and keep salad crunchy. Toss salad just before serving for best freshness. Dressing can be made ahead and whisked again before use. For vegan option, use mirin or maple syrup instead of honey. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari.

Nutrition

Keywords: Japanese cucumber salad, sesame soy dressing, quick salad, easy cucumber salad, healthy side dish, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/fresh-japanese-cucumber-salad-recipe-easy-5-minute-sesame-soy-dressing/