Asian Cucumber Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Warmer temperatures call for no cook recipes to avoid turning on the oven! This asian-inspired cucumber salad is a crisp, cool, and delicious side dish that will take you less than 20 minutes to make.
It’s been a long spring here in Boston, but I think our weather finally took a turn for the better! I’m excited to get outside more and explore this beautiful city. With the extra time outdoors, I tend to spend less time in the kitchen. Who wants to be using a hot oven for hours? Quick, simple, and no-cook recipes are where it’s at in the summertime.
Since starting Daisybeet, my passion has always been to show you that healthy eating does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time consuming. I think this recipe is a prime example of these ideas. It involves widely available, inexpensive ingredients, tastes delicious, contains good-for-you ingredients, and takes minimal time. It’s also a recipe that can be prepped in advance, as it keeps well in the fridge. Simple summer meal prep at it’s finest!
How to make a cucumber salad
If you’re bored of lettuce, cucumber is an excellent substitute for leafy greens as a salad base. I especially love cucumber in the summer because it’s incredibly hydrating and cooling. All you need to do is thinly slice your cucumber, and add toppings and dressings of choice! This asian cucumber salad recipe involves minimal steps:
- Slice cucumber as thinly as possible.
- Combine fresh ingredients to make your dressing: orange juice and zest, sesame oil, tamari, rice vinegar, ginger, and chili paste.
- Toss cucumbers and dressing together with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
Main Ingredients + Some Nutrition Notes
- Cucumber: Cucumber is one of the most hydrating vegetables you can choose! It’s made of about 96% water, so it is excellent to add to your diet in the hotter months. It’s also inexpensive and versatile, so can be easy to add to your diet.
- Ginger: Ginger contains a powerful compound called gingerol, which is highly anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant properties. It also has been shown to help with nausea, soreness and muscle pain from exercise.
- Orange: One of the OG sources of vitamin C, oranges are widely available, inexpensive bundles of nutrition. In addition to vitamin C, oranges are also a good source of fiber, potassium, and carotenoids (antioxidants that give them their orange hue).
- Tamari
- Sesame Oil
- Rice Vinegar
If you love this recipe, you may also like
- Broccoli Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing
- Tahini Citrus Cauliflower Sweet Potato Salad
- Peanut Tofu Vermicelli Rice Noodle Bowls with Quick Pickled Vegetables
Let me know if you love this recipe by leaving a comment or rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration.
PrintAsian Cucumber Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
- Category: side dish
Description
Warmer temperatures call for no cook recipes to avoid turning on the oven! This asian-inspired cucumber salad is a crisp, cool, and delicious side dish that will take you less than 20 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, sliced as thin as possible
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Zest of 1 orange
- 4 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 inch knob ginger, peeled and grated or minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp reduced sodium tamari
- 1 tsp chili paste (add more if you like spicy)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 fresno chili, sliced
Instructions
- Place sliced cucumbers and green onions in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together orange zest, orange juice, ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, tamari, and chili paste until combined.
- Toss cucumbers and scallions in the dressing until well coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresno chili to serve.
Notes
Will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Keywords: asian cucumber salad, cucumber salad, vegan, gluten free