Thai Cucumber Salad

Light, cool, and rich in Thai spices, this is a perfect side or appetizer for your main meal!

Whenever I’m hosting a dinner party or going to a barbecue or potluck, I’ve always been left wondering—how can I make a salad that’s not boring? Let’s face it—salad is often the most boring part of the meal. But it doesn’t have to be! There are countless ways to liven up a salad without making it no longer a salad.

Some of the best salads come from Middle Eastern and Eastern cuisines, areas that generally use oil-based dressings, blending them with flavors and spices that create a symphony of flavor for your tastebuds. When looking for a good salad for a summer cookout, I stumbled upon this recipe for Thai Cucumber Salad, which combines crisp cucumbers with Thai spices. This recipe is simple, refreshing, full of flavor, and healthy. You cannot go wrong with this Thai cucumber salad.

So, what makes this Thai cucumber salad so perfect? The light flavor of the cucumber marries beautifully with other flavors. This recipe adds peanuts for crunch, a flavor often found in Thai cuisine, thinly sliced red onion, and red pepper flakes for a nice kick.

Is Thai Cucumber Salad Healthy?

Thai cucumber salad is about as healthy as you can get while still being delicious. It’s full of fresh ingredients, naturally gluten free, and vegan. As I stated earlier, cucumbers are full of water and are also high in fiber, so they aid in digestion. Cucumbers are high in Vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium. Also, red onions contain antioxidants and Vitamin C and are a natural anti-inflammatory. When you put these ingredients together, you’re given a delicious, healthy, and nutrient heavy salad.

Should I peel my cucumbers for this salad?

Often, you see cucumbers peeled or partially peeled in salad, and the reason for this depends on the type of cucumber being used. Standard market cucumbers generally have thicker skin that’s difficult to bite or chew. This recipe, however, calls for English cucumbers, which have a thinner skin. English cucumbers are easier to eat and add a refreshing crunch to the salad. This will help remove excessive water, so the cucumbers don’t soften when mixed with the dressing.

INGREDIENTS

2 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Dress

Whisk together the dressing ingredients.

Combine

Toss cucumbers and onions with dressing.

Garnish

Top with peanuts and cilantro.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

I don’t recommend making this salad too far in advance, as oxygen is the enemy of most salads. If needed, you can put the leftover Thai cucumber salad into an airtight sealed container with as much oxygen as possible removed from it. If stored properly, this salad can hold for up to three to five days, but as I stated originally, I recommend eating your salad within 24 hours of making it.

How do I keep my Thai cucumber salad from getting soggy?

There are two essential steps for keeping your cucumbers from getting soggy. As I have already stated, blotting your cucumbers of excessive moisture will help keep them from getting soggy. The second step is salt. The salt in your dressing will help seal in the moisture of the salad and help it keep its crunch.

Do I need to use cilantro?

I know this is a sticking point for many people since half the population has an enzyme that makes cilantro taste like soap. However, it’s easy to substitute your cilantro for a different leafy herb. I recommend using mint to give your salad a cool, refreshing kick.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving suggestions for this Thai cucumber salad, my suggestion is everything. This is the perfect salad to pair with any dish: chicken, pork, or beef. It will heighten every meal. If you’re trying to be more traditional, you can pair it with a nice Pad Thai or Thai Curry.