Discover the simplest cucumber salad recipe that will soon become your go-to! In just five minutes, you can whip up a substantial jar of this refreshing Asian cucumber salad, ideal for immediate enjoyment or safely stored for up to two to three days in your fridge. This dish serves as the perfect, easy make-ahead side that complements various meals, whether you incorporate it into a salad, sandwich, or a multi-course feast. If you’re craving something light and flavorful, this Asian cucumber salad recipe is a must-try!
This Asian cucumber salad has many variations, recently popularized by a Canadian TikTok creator named Logan’s Fewd. His inventive technique involves combining all the ingredients in a quart container, shaking them together, and voilà—it’s ready to serve! While in Australia, we typically don’t have quart containers, I opted for a 700ml (about three-quarters of a quart) reusable takeaway container. Making this Asian cucumber salad every few days has become a delightful ritual for me, as its versatility allows it to pair beautifully with virtually any dish!
What To Serve This Asian Cucumber Salad With:
- Part of an Asian banquet bursting with flavors
- To elevate steamed foldover baos, especially ones filled with savory pork belly
- On sandwiches, where it adds a crunch and zing
- In salad bowls, making for a colorful and refreshing addition
- Alongside rich meat roasts like slow-cooked lamb shoulder or beef barbacoa for a delightful contrast
- Coupled with seafood dishes such as baked salmon tarator that need a fresh touch
- I simply love placing a bowl of this salad on the dinner table to introduce a fresh, crunchy component to our meals.
I love to bring this Asian cucumber salad to picnics because it is notably travel-friendly, and its simple dressing infuses cucumber with vibrant flavor. Unlike salads with lettuce that may wilt, this delightful dish thrives on a little shaking! On our last picnic, held a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Mr. NQN’s niece and nephew’s birthdays, the outing definitely had an Elliott-family flair. As we drove over to Manly Lagoon, I texted his sister Amaya, who was organizing the celebration, to check on the weather since it was raining hard on the Harbour Bridge.
She responded that while it had been raining, it had cleared up as they were now sitting comfortably under a pine tree. Mr. NQN couldn’t help but scoff at the idea, but we pressed on. Just in case, our backup plan was a visit to Tuulikki’s (Mr. NQN’s mother) nearby home. When we arrived, it was indeed raining, and Amaya was determinedly setting up a tarp over the picnic area despite the pesky wind and rain. I must say, this family has an unwavering spirit, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate!
At any Elliott picnic, you can count on the presence of hummus, and on this occasion, we were double parked with two family-sized tubs of it, alongside an array of crackers and a mysterious pasta salad that seems to grace every Elliott family gathering. The preparation involves boiling spiral pasta, mixing in chopped cucumber and tomato, and dressing it using their juices—rather bland, to be fair. With no other seasoning involved, I once tried it and quickly opted against a second helping. Most family members compensate for the lack of flavor by piling heaps of hummus on the pasta. I preferred enjoying our own contributions while perched under a blanket, keeping dry and attempting to steer clear of overly political conversations with my right-wing brother-in-law!
The Viral TikTok Asian Cucumber Salad
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 0 minutes
- 350g/12.3ozs cucumbers (around 2 Lebanese cucumbers)
- 2 stalks green scallions, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, grated or crushed
- 3 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chilli oil crisp (the sediment at the bottom of chilli oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Step 1 – Set a mandolin on its thinnest setting and carefully slice the cucumbers directly into a quart container, takeaway container, or jar. Add the crushed garlic, sesame seeds, fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, chilli oil crisp, and sugar. Tightly seal the lid on the container and shake vigorously for around 20 seconds. Enjoy your creation!
Published on 2024-11-24 by Lorraine Elliott.
What are the key ingredients and preparation steps for making the popular Asian cucumber salad that Chef Emily Johnson recommends?
**Interview with Chef and Food Blogger, Emily Johnson, on the Popularity of Asian Cucumber Salad**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Emily! Today, we’re excited to talk about a refreshing dish that’s making waves in home kitchens: the Asian cucumber salad. Can you give us an overview of this simple recipe?
**Emily Johnson:** Absolutely! The Asian cucumber salad is a quick and vibrant dish that you can whip up in just five minutes. It involves slicing cucumbers and tossing them with a simple dressing, which infuses them with so much flavor. What’s wonderful is that you can store it in the fridge for two to three days, making it a fantastic make-ahead option for busy lives. It pairs beautifully with many meals, from Asian banquets to casual sandwiches.
**Interviewer:** It sounds incredibly versatile. How did this recipe gain popularity recently?
**Emily Johnson:** The salad has been largely popularized by a Canadian TikTok creator known as Logan’s Fewd. His unique method involves combining all the ingredients in a quart container and shaking them to mix. This quick preparation definitely appealed to many, especially in the age of social media where simplicity is key. While we might not have quart containers everywhere, I’ve adapted this method using a 700ml takeaway container, which works just as well!
**Interviewer:** That’s a clever adaptation! What dishes do you think this salad complements best?
**Emily Johnson:** There are so many options! It’s perfect as part of an Asian feast, paired with steamed baos (especially if they’re filled with savory pork belly). You can add it to sandwiches for a bit of crunch, or serve it with rich meat dishes like slow-cooked lamb shoulder or beef barbacoa for a refreshing contrast. I always like to have it at picnics because it holds up well, unlike lettuce salads which can wilt.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of picnics, you recently shared a fun story about one you attended. Could you tell us more?
**Emily Johnson:** Sure! Recently, we celebrated Mr. NQN’s niece and nephew’s birthdays at Manly Lagoon. Despite the rain, we pressed on, ready for our picnic. I brought along my trusty cucumber salad, and although we faced some weather challenges, it brightened up our outdoor meal. The salad truly shone as a fresh component amid the spread of hummus and a mysterious pasta salad that seems to make an appearance at every family gathering!
**Interviewer:** It sounds like your family gatherings are filled with joy and delicious food! Lastly, what advice would you give to someone trying to make this salad for the first time?
**Emily Johnson:** Don’t be afraid to have fun with it! The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility, so feel free to add your favorite ingredients. Experiment with different types of vinegar or even add some chili for heat. Most importantly, enjoy the process, and you’ll find it becomes a staple in your cooking routine!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Emily! It sounds like the Asian cucumber salad is not only tasty but also a great way to bring people together.
**Emily Johnson:** Thank you for having me! I hope everyone tries making it and enjoys it as much as I do!
