Light, cool, and full of spicy flavors, this Thai Cucumber Salad is a perfect side or appetizer for your main meal!
Whenever I’m hosting a dinner party or going to a barbecue or potluck, I’ve always been left wondering—how can I make a salad that’s not boring? Let’s face it—salad is often the most boring part of the meal. But it doesn’t have to be! There are countless ways to liven up a salad without making it no longer a salad.
In my opinion, some of the best salads come from Middle Eastern and Eastern cuisines, areas that generally use oil-based dressings, blending them with herbs and spices that create a symphony of flavor for your taste buds. When looking for a good salad for a summer cookout, I stumbled upon this recipe for Thai cucumber salad, which combines crisp cucumbers with Thai spices. This recipe is simple, refreshing, full of flavor, and healthy. You cannot go wrong with this Thai cucumber salad.
So, what makes this salad so perfect? The light flavor of the cucumber marries beautifully with other flavors. This recipe adds peanuts for crunch (an ingredient often found in Thai cuisine), thinly sliced red onion, and red pepper flakes for a nice kick.
Is Thai Cucumber Salad Healthy?
This Thai cucumber salad is healthy and delicious. It’s full of fresh ingredients, naturally gluten-free, and vegan. Cucumbers have a high water content and are a good source of fiber. They also contain vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium.
Should I peel my cucumbers for this salad?
Often, you see cucumbers peeled or partially peeled in salad. Whether or not peeling is recommended, depends on the type of cucumber being used. Standard cucumbers generally have thicker skin that’s difficult to bite or chew. This recipe, however, calls for English cucumbers, which have a thinner skin. English cucumbers are easier to eat and add a refreshing crunch to the salad.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Though the salad is best fresh, if stored in an airtight container, it will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is most certainly not recommended.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving suggestions for this Thai cucumber salad, it’s the perfect thing to pair with any dish: chicken, pork, or beef. It will heighten every meal. If you’re trying to be more traditional, you can pair it with a nice Chicken Pad Thai or these Peanut Tofu Noodles.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium English cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, lime juice, sesame oil, salt, and red pepper flakes until the sugar dissolves.
- Place the sliced cucumbers and red onions in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish the salad with chopped roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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