Zesty Shake Cucumber Salad (Printable version)

Crunchy cucumber and scallions coated in a tangy soy-sesame dressing with a spicy kick.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, ends trimmed
02 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
04 - 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
06 - 1.5 tsp sugar or honey
07 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
08 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
09 - 0.5 to 1 tsp chili flakes, adjusted to taste

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (white or black)
11 - 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

# Steps to follow:

01 - Wash and dry cucumbers. Slice them lengthwise in half, then cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moon slices.
02 - Place cucumber slices and scallions into a large resealable bag or container with a tight-fitting lid.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sugar, grated garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes until sugar dissolves.
04 - Pour dressing over cucumbers and scallions. Seal and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to coat evenly.
05 - Refrigerate the salad for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro if desired.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in ten minutes flat, which means you can satisfy a craving for something bright and crispy without any real planning.
  • The shaking method guarantees every single slice gets coated evenly, turning a simple salad into something that tastes intentional and balanced.
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, so you can make it ahead and let it do the work while you handle other things.
02 -
  • English cucumbers are a game-changer here because they have significantly fewer seeds and thinner skin, which means the salad stays crisp longer and tastes less watery.
  • The quality of your sesame oil matters enormously—toasted sesame oil has a completely different flavor profile than light sesame oil, and there's no substitute if you want this to taste right.
  • Don't skip the resting time in the refrigerator, even if you're hungry; ten minutes allows the flavors to meld and the cucumbers to develop the perfect tender-crispy texture.
03 -
  • Make the dressing while your cucumbers are finishing their rest time in the fridge so everything comes together at peak cold.
  • If you don't have a resealable bag, any container with a tight-fitting lid works just as well—the shaking motion is what matters most.
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