Asian Cucumber and Carrot Salad
Asian Cucumber and Carrot Salad is the perfect light side dish for any meal. Refreshing and crunchy, this cucumber salad is tossed in a tangy sesame-soy dressing with a hint of garlic and rice vinegar. Give it a try with dinner, your next potluck or picnic, or as a light lunch option.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mini cucumbers (Persian) (or a large English cucumber) sliced
- 1 10 oz bag shredded carrots (or 3-4 medium carrots, cut into thin strips)
- 1/2 red onion sliced into halves or quarters
- 2 green onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- freshly ground pepper to taste
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
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Whisk soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and together in a small bowl until well combined.
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Place cucumbers, carrots, red onion and green onion in a large bowl.
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Drizzle dressing and add toasted sesame seeds, reserving a small amount of sesame seeds for garnish. Gently toss to coat.
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Chill for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Sprinkle with leftover toasted same seeds, sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
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Serve cold same day for best results, but can be enjoyed for additional 1 to 2 days.
Recipe Notes
Toasted sesame seeds can be purchased or you can make your own.
How to Toast Sesame Seeds:
Place sesame seeds in skillet over medium heat. (Skillet should be dry, no oil required.) Stir frequently for 3–5 minutes until they are golden and smell nutty. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning. Cool before using.
Dressing Variations:
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- Ginger: Add 1-2 teaspoons of grated or finely minced fresh ginger for a bit of warmth and zing.
- Spicy Kick: Add a little heat with the addition of red pepper flakes, dash of sriracha, chili flakes, or a few drops of chili oil.
- Sweet Flavor: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey, maple syrup or brown sugar to balance the soy-vinegar flavor.
- Citrus Twist: Squeeze a bit of lime juice or add some orange zest to your dressing.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.