Unique Cooks

menu icon
search icon
×

Published: · Modified: by · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Crunchy Thai Cucumber Salad

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Pinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden Image

Spicy, savory, crunchy, and juicy, this Thai cucumber salad is a riot of flavors and textures in your mouth. 

The salad features cucumbers, red onions, and peanuts tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy dressing that's bursting with Asian flavors.

It is the perfect summer side dish that is easy to make, versatile, and customizable.

Pin

I have to admit, I haven’t really tried a lot of Thai food, but the spicy, tangy, and savory flavors it promises made me want to jump in and try this simple salad recipe. 

My obsession with cucumbers is leading me to try new salads and creations, and while my spicy Asian cucumber salad and cucumber Pico de Gallo are still my absolute favorites, I really wanted to try something a bit different. 

Jump to:

What's So Great About the Recipe?

My favorite part about this refreshing Thai cucumber salad recipe has to be its simplicity. 

All it takes is 10 minutes to put it together, and it is ready to serve, teamed up with some simple fried rice or any Thai chicken dish. 

Ingredients For the Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe

You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients to make the spicy cucumber salad.

Pin

Cucumber: English cucumbers are the best choice for this recipe. They’re super crunchy and hold their shape well, which is just what we need for this recipe. 

Onion: I also used some red onion to bring a bit of pungent flavor to the salad, balanced out nicely with the refreshing cucumber. 

Cilantro: Chopped fresh cilantro just takes the salad to the next level with its bright deliciousness. 

Fish sauce: Fish sauce is truly the hero ingredient here. It lends a beautiful savory, umami deliciousness to the salad dressing, and is an absolute must! 

Chili sauce: I skipped the red pepper flakes and just used a few dashes of my favorite chili sauce to lend the salad a bit of heat. Yes, sriracha works wonderfully too! 

Peanuts: I also added some coarsely chopped peanuts for that authentic Thai flavor. 

Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds again, bring in a nice crunch factor to the salad. Use lightly toasted sesame seeds for the best flavor. 

Vinegar: Vinegar brings a nice tanginess to the salad dressing and ‘pickles’ the cucumbers. 

Sugar: Sugar helps tone down the tanginess and brings a bit of sweetness to the salad. 

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Thai Cucumber Salad

Ready to try this easy Thai cucumber salad? Here’s what you’ll need to do once you have everything ready. 

Pin

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers and red onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts. 

Pin

Step 2: Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over it. 

Pin

Step 3: Mix well. 

Pin

Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or serve immediately. 

Substitutions & Variations

  • I used white vinegar for this recipe because that’s what I had at hand. You can use any other kind of vinegar like rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even just some lime juice for that tanginess. 
  • To lend this salad a spicy kick, you can also add some chopped Thai chili into the mix. 
Pin

💭Top Tip

Don’t have cilantro? Use some fresh mint leaves instead. The idea is to use a fresh herb to get that pop of color and zesty deliciousness into the salad. 

Equipment

How to Store the Leftover Cucumber Salad

I wouldn’t recommend storing your leftovers beyond a day, as the cucumber can start to get soggy and lose its crunchy texture the longer it sits in the fridge. 

If you do have some extra cucumber salad, you can refrigerate it in a clean glass container or an airtight container. 

You can also prep the salad dressing in advance if you want to, and refrigerate it for weeks, if not longer. 

Pin

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe

  • I would recommend using thin cucumber slices for this salad. Begin by slicing the cucumbers in half lengthwise, and then into half-rounds like I did. 
  • If you want, you can also just simply slice them into circles. Just make sure you use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife for best results. 
  • To tone down the pungent spiciness of the red onions, you can slice them, and soak them in some ice water for a few minutes before adding them to the bowl. 
  • Chopped green onions lend a nice different flavor to the salad, so you can add them in too, if you want to. 
  • To accentuate the Thai flavors in this salad, you can also add a dash of sesame oil to the dressing. 
  • You can also experiment and try adding some lime pickled onions or pickled green onions to the salad. While this is not authentic, the tanginess of these pickled veggies can add great flavors to this simple cucumber salad. 

How to Serve the Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad

This crunchy Thai salad is best served chilled, which is why, I would recommend refrigerating it for 15-20 minutes before you serve it. That's actually what I do for most of my summer salads, including my spicy pineapple and cucumber salad.

You can team the salad up with some jasmine rice, chicken satay, or practically any Asian main of your choice. 

I love pairing it with my honey sriracha shrimp rice bowl and my teriyaki tofu bowl. The freshness of this delicious salad works wonderfully with both of these hearty Asian meals. 

FAQs

Can I use regular cucumbers for the salad?

While Persian cucumbers are the best choice for this recipe, you can also make do with regular cucumbers, if that’s what you have at hand. Make sure you peel them before you put them to use. 

Is the Thai cucumber salad spicy?

Yes, this salad is meant to be spicy, but if you can’t handle the heat, you can always cut down the amount of chili sauce you’re adding in, and adjust it to your preference. 

What other veggies can I add to the salad?

Bulk up this salad with other veggies like julienned carrots, raw papaya, bell peppers, bean sprouts, corn or even some chickpeas or beans, 

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pin

Crunchy Thai Cucumber Salad

Enozia Vakil
Featuring red onion, sesame, and peanuts, this crunchy and refreshing Thai cucumber salad recipe is the perfect side dish for all your summer cookouts.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Asian
Servings 2 servings
Calories 75 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Persian cucumbers
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 tablespoon crushed peanuts
  • ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili sauce
  • ½ teaspoon fish sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers and red onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts.
  • Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over it.
  • Mix well.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or serve immediately.

Notes

To lend this salad a spicy kick, you can also add some chopped Thai chili into the mix. 
Bulk up this salad with other veggies like julienned carrots, raw papaya, bell peppers, bean sprouts, corn or even some chickpeas or beans,
While Persian cucumbers are the best choice for this recipe, you can also make do with regular cucumbers, if that’s what you have at hand. Make sure you peel them before you put them to use. 
To tone down the pungent spiciness of the red onions, you can slice them, and soak them in some ice water for a few minutes before adding them to the bowl. 
If you want, you can also just simply slice them into circles. Just make sure you use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife for best results. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 223mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Share a photo of what you made on Instagram and tag us @uniquecooks or hashtag it #uniquecooks

More Asian

96