Zesty Shake Cucumber Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Crunchy cucumber salad with tangy soy-sesame dressing and a touch of heat, perfect for light meals.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

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

→ Dressing

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

→ Garnish

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

# Steps:

01 - Wash and dry cucumbers. Slice in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moons.
02 - Place cucumber slices and sliced scallions into a large resealable bag or container with a tight-fitting lid.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, grated garlic, ginger, and chili flakes in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
04 - Pour dressing over cucumber and scallions. Seal the container or bag 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 salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The shake method means zero messy tossing and perfectly dressed cucumbers every time
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • The flavors actually get better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • English cucumbers stay crunchier longer than regular ones, worth seeking out
  • The resting period isn't optional—it's when the cucumbers absorb all that flavor
  • This tastes best served chilled, so plan for that refrigerator time
03 -
  • Use a glass container if meal prepping—the plastic bags work for shaking but aren't great for long-term storage
  • Toasted sesame oil can burn and turn bitter if heated, so keep this as a cold dish
  • If you only have regular cucumbers, peel them partially in stripes for better texture
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