This spicy Asian cucumber salad is a total flavor bomb—crisp, refreshing, and just the right amount of kick. It’s super easy to toss together and makes the perfect side for your favorite stir-fries or noodles. You’ll want to make this one on repeat!
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This spicy asian cucumber salad is a simple yet bold dish that checks all the boxes: crips, refreshing, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect blend of cool cucumber, tangy rice vinegar, aromatic sesame oil, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes.
We love this salad because it’s so easy to whip and adds a punch of flavor to any meal. It complements just about everything—serve it alongside stir-fried veggies, noodle bowls, or as a part of an Asian-inspired dinner spread. Plus, the smashing technique makes it fun to prepare and also helps soak up all the delicious dressing.
For lovers of the P.F. Chang’s vegan appetizer, this is a make-at-home copycat of their cool cucumber salad. And, in our opinion, tastes even better!
This cucumber salad is guaranteed to be a new favorite in your recipe rotation! It is:
Quick – Just 15 minutes for this salad to come together! It’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals!
Refreshing – Crisp cucumbers paired with a tangy, slightly spicy dressing make this salad the ultimate way to cool off on a warm day.
Versatile – Enjoy it as a snack, a side dish, or even as a topping for grain bowls like this shredded tofu bowl and wraps.
Healthy – Made with wholesome, fresh ingredients, this spicy asian cucumber salad is naturally vegan, low-calorie, and full of goodness!
Key Ingredients
The key components of this spicy cucumber salad recipe form a symphony of flavors, each playing its unique role in composing a melody of taste and texture! Don’t worry, you only need simple ingredients to create this ensemble:
Cucumber: The star of the dish, the cucumber provides a refreshing crunch and a mild watery base that balances the flavors. Japanese or English cucumbers are often preferred for their tender skin and few seeds.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a delicate tangy sweetness to the salad. Its well-balanced flavor complements the cucumbers while adding a subtle acidity.
Toasted Sesame Oil: Contributes a rich, nutty aroma and depth of flavor to the salad. It enhances the overall taste profile!
Fresh Cilantro: Fresh cilantro lends a burst of vibrant herbaceousness and a hint of citrusy fragrance to this cucumber salad.
Sugar: It may be an odd addition to a salad, but we don’t recommend skipping sugar! It harmonizes with the tangy notes and savory elements to round out all of the flavors! Liquid sweeteners like maple or agave syrup also work well.
Minced Garlic: This superfood balances out the sweetness of the vinegar and sugar with a savory kick, adding depth of flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: Adds heat to this salad. You can omit it if you don’t want it spicy. If you prefer more spice, add more red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or even jalapeño slices.
For full ingredients and measurements, scroll to the printable recipe card below.
How To Make This Spicy Cucumber Salad
Here’s the step-by-step guide to making this spicy asian cucumber salad. Grab a large bowl, a cutting board, a chef’s knife, and a rolling pin if you have one, and let’s get started!
Step 1: Place the cucumber on a cutting board and gently smash it using the back of a chef’s knife or a rolling pin. The goal is to crack it open and slightly tear the skin, not flatten it.
Step 2: Cut the smashed cucumber into 1-inch pieces and transfer them to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let it rest for 10 minutes to draw out the excess moisture.
Step 3: Drain any liquid from the bowl and pat the cucumber pieces dry with a paper towel if needed.
Step 4: Add the rice vinegar, sesame oil, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes to the bowl. Gently toss until everything is well combined.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop further. Enjoy!
Pro Tips
If you found this salad to be a little too salty, make sure to rinse the salt out of the cucumber before adding the sauce. The salt helps to remove excess moisture from the cucumbers so that they stay crisp.
Want it spicier? Add some chopped jalapeño, a touch of hot sauce, or more crushed red pepper flakes.
While this salad can be served right away, it’s best to let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
How to Serve Up This Cucumber Salad Recipe
You may imagine that cucumbers might be too boring or naturally too neutral to incite your interest. But, you couldn’t be more mistaken! These two traits make this garden fresh food perfect for use in practically any dish, like these:
Salad Topper – Double salad? Heck, yeah! When you’ve run out of ideas for topping your salad, just add this mixture to a bowl full of brilliant greens, and you’re good to go! The veggies and dressing are already done for you.
Pop Into a Pocket – Don’t you love having a new filling for a pita pocket? It’s so exciting to insert spoonfuls of sweet or savory sandwich stuff inside. Add a few extra lettuce leaves, some air fryer tempeh, and a little avocado for a refreshing lunch.
This Asian cucumber salad is best eaten fresh, but any leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for the next day. After that, it’s best to make a new batch. Not recommended for freezing.
If you’d like to prep this dish beforehand, you can do so the day (or night) before. Smash your cucumber and slice. Place in one container. Mix up the dressing and place in another container. Cover both and refrigerate until the next day. Mix your cucumber with the salt and let sit. Then, drain and mix with the sauce.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cucumber?
Yes! While English or Japanese cucumbers are ideal because they have thinner skin and fewer seeds, you can use regular cucumbers. Just peel and deseed them for the best texture.
Can I make this cucumber salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the cucumber and dressing separately. Toss them together just before serving to maintain the cucumbers’ crunch.
Print me! Did you know you can easily print our recipes? Just tap the “Print Recipe” button in the recipe card. You can keep a stack of new recipes to try in your kitchen—or better yet—create a recipe binder where you keep all your favorites!
This smashed cucumber salad is not only lovely and crisp, but also incredibly fresh and flavorful. In just a few minutes, you can create a surprisingly satisfying side with notes of smooth sesame and cilantro. Perfect recipe for your garden cucumbers!
Place the cucumber on a cutting board. Using the back of a large chef's knife or a rolling pin, gently "smash" it. The goal is to crack the cucumber open and tear the skin slightly, not flatten it.
Cut the smashed cucumber into 1-inch pieces and transfer them to a bowl.
Sprinkle the cucumber with the salt and let it sit for 10 minutes. This helps draw out moisture and enhances the flavor.
Drain off any liquid from the bowl and pat the cucumber pieces dry with a paper towel if needed.
Add the vinegar, oil, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Gently toss to combine.
Serve immediately or chill for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Notes
Use a Japanese or English cucumber that has a thin skin. If you can’t find these, you can use any cucumber and peel the skin.
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Cucumber salads are one of my favourites in summer. I’ve never tried a smashed cucumber salad before now though. It’s fab and I shall be making it again and again.
I’m always looking for easy cucumber recipes and so glad I found this! It’s great for plant-based meal prep and if you have vegan kids, my little one loves its too 🙂
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Cucumber salads are one of my favourites in summer. I’ve never tried a smashed cucumber salad before now though. It’s fab and I shall be making it again and again.
this is one of my favourite chinese recipes. It is so refreshing to have especially when it is TOO hot outside.
omg looks so refreshing & good! 🙂
This is a totally new recipe for me! I’m so thrilled to try it 🙂
I love the flavor and texture of this salad! I never thought to smash up cucumbers. The sesame flavor is just perfect 😀
This salad looks so refreshing! Love it!!
This is deeelish! Thanks for the recipe.
I’m always looking for easy cucumber recipes and so glad I found this! It’s great for plant-based meal prep and if you have vegan kids, my little one loves its too 🙂
Such a refreshing and delicious salad, especially for summer!