cucumber salad with sesame and rice vinegar

I suspect that the lack of cucumber representation in the archives has more to do with the fact that little about cucumber salads brings out my inner obsessive recipe finetuner; usually I’m just throwing it together. But for you, for us, and because this is actually the cucumber salad I make the most often on weeknights, I’ve pulled out the measuring spoons. Origin-wise, this is closest to a Japanese salad known as sunomono, which translates to “vinegared things.” Cucumbers are the most common, but it refers to any raw vegetable or seafood marinated in a sweet, tangy rice vinegar dressing.

I skip the sugar, keep my cucumbers chunkier than seems common, and salt them for less time — I just do it for whatever time I have while I do other things, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Salting the cucumbers draws out some of their liquid, leaving a moisture deficit that better absorbs the dressing’s flavors. For us, this is a staple of stir-fry, simple noodle dishes, or potsticker nights — either frozen or homemade, and also please tell me you want my pork potsticker recipe because I have so much fun making them, and making the whole family help.

I usually have to double this because the least predictable member of our family* will eat the whole bowl before we have a chance to sit down if I’m not prepared. (* I actually brought her some for her sleepaway camp visiting day, plus homemade dot cakes, and several other things I can’t tell you about lest you rightly judge me.) It’s here!

The 2026 SK Classroom Wishlist Project, in which we try to get teachers what they need to set their classrooms up for success, has kicked off. If you cannot figure out where to start, let me help!

I recommend picking a school in your area, or perhaps where you grew up, or searching the descriptions for classrooms that might focus on something particularly meaningful to you. Help out if you feel you’re able.

There is no purchase too small to unquestionably make a teacher’s (and their students’) day. Plus, buying crayons, pencils, and books that help kids learn and succeed feels really good. [Project information.

Direct link to spreadsheet.]

Cucumber Salad with Sesame and Rice Vinegar

• 1 pound (455 grams) Persian-style cucumbers, trimmed, in 1/2-inch slices
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond brand, use half of others)
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
• Ground black or white pepper
• Chili oil or chili crisp to taste, or red pepper flakes
• Toasted sesame seeds

Combine cucumbers and salt in a bowl. Set aside for as little as 10 to 15 minutes, or up to an hour or two.

Transfer to the fridge to keep it cold and refreshing. Drain any liquid from the cucumber bowl, then add rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, pepper, and additional salt, if needed.

Stir to combine. Finish with chili oil and toasted sesame seeds.

Do ahead: Leftovers keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, and they’re amazing, becoming gently pickled.

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