Pickled Cucumber Asian
Pickled cucumber salad recipe that’s crisp, tangy, and oh-so-addictive! It doesn’t require any salting and can be prepared in 15 minutes. This is the recipe you need if you love fresh ingredients and bold tastes.
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 0.125 tsp salt
- 2 tsp white vinegar
- 2.5 tsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic clove(s)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 0.5 tsp chilli flakes
- Slice the cucumber into 0.2 to 0.3 cm thick. Set aside.
- Combine sugar, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.
- Add the sesame vinegar mixture to the sliced cucumber. Mix until well combined.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds and chili flakes. Mix until well combined. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before eating. Otherwise, allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes before eating.
This may be familiar if you’ve tried the Din Tai Fung pickled cucumber salad. It is perfect as a summer side dish for your rice meals, BBQ gatherings, or even as a light snack on its own.
Why is This the Best Pickled Cucumber Salad Recipe?
⏰ Quick and Easy: Just like the 'pickled pineapple, onion and cucumber recipe’, this recipe is ready in 15 minutes. perfect for busy weeknights!
Healthy and Light: Low-calorie, refreshing, and packed with crunch.
Versatile: Pairs beautifully with grilled meats, rice dishes, or even noodles.
Customizable: Adjust the spice and tanginess level to your liking!
How Do You Pickle Cucumber?
All you need to do is let the cucumber sit in a soy sauce and vinegar brine. A bit of spice from the chilli flakes and garlic gives it some kick to the flavour profile.
In this recipe, I've added some sesame seeds for some nuttiness too. You’ll love the combination of these ingredients.
How Long Do Asian Pickled Cucumbers Last?
It’s best eaten fresh, but it can last up to 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container. The cucumbers may soften over time, so enjoy it sooner rather than later!
What Kind of Vinegar Is Best?
I like to use glutinous rice vinegar because of its sharper flavour profile. However, you could substitute with normal white vinegar or even apple cider vinegar.
What Cucumbers Are Best for This Salad?
Those smaller and thinner cucumbers are perfect. Japanese or Persian cucumbers are ideal because they’re crisp and have thin, edible skins. English cucumbers are a good substitute too.
Tips for the Best Pickled Cucumber
While 30 minutes is the recommended time to let the cucumber pickle, I always make it ahead to get the best-tasting pickled cucumber!
Let the cucumber sit in the brine for about 4 hours for the best flavours. Not too long or the cucumber can soften.
This must be done chilled to get the crisp with cucumbers. Otherwise, you will be left with softened cucumber too.
