Meet your new favorite side dish.
This Thai cucumber salad recipe is a refreshing side dish with a whole lot of flavor and satisfying crunch! Crispy cucumbers team up with bold red onion and fresh cilantro and are doused in a delicious tangy dressing bursting with Thai flavors. Top it with crunchy peanuts, and you have yourself the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy!
In addition to it’s awesome flavors, Thai food is generally healthy and easy to make. This, my friends, is exactly why we have so many Thai recipes being added to our growing database of delicious meals. From our Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Satay to our Thai Roasted Sweet Potato Soup, there is no shortage of Thai-inspired dishes around here.
Watch Us Make this Cucumber Salad
Thai Salad Made with Fresh Ingredients
Here’s yet another great recipe to add to your collection: our Thai cucumber salad! We dress the sliced cucumbers, onion, and cilantro with a homemade Thai dressing that is ridiculously easy to make. Vibrant and light and ready in 15 minutes, it’s basically the side salad of your dreams. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- English cucumbers: These crispy cucumbers are perfect for this salad! They’re seedless and have a thin skin so you can leave it on.
- Red onion: This brings some bold flavor to this salad! Use a small red onion or 1/2 onion for this recipe.
- Cilantro: Fresh herbs like cilantro are key for adding a refreshing element to this delicious salad.
- Lime juice: The acidity from the lime juice gives the salad dressing a nice tangy kick.
- Fish sauce: A staple in Thai cuisine, fish sauce adds a savory umami flavor to the dressing.
- Honey: A touch of sweetness goes a long way!
- Red chili thinly sliced (optional): Add some red chili for a spicy Thai cucumber salad.
- Roasted peanuts: For added crunch, protein, and healthy fats!
Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
We know that everyone has different tastes and preferences. We always want you to feel free to make our recipes your own! Here are some ingredient swaps and additions you can try:
Cucumber: Swap English cucumbers with Persian or regular cucumbers, just make sure to remove the seeds if using regular cucumbers.
Red onion: Shallots or green onions are great substitutions for red onion.
Cilantro: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can use fresh mint or Thai basil instead. The flavors may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious!
Lime juice: No limes? No problem! You can use lemon juice or rice wine vinegar instead.
Add sesame seeds: For added nutrition and flavor, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the salad.
Frequently Asked Questions About this Thai Cucumber Salad
If it’s your first time making a Thai cucumber salad, you may wonder how to cut the cucumbers in that signature Thai style. While we don’t cut the cucumbers this way in our recipe, you may want to give it a try. It’s actually quite simple!
1. Start by slicing off both ends of the cucumber.
2. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then slice each half diagonally into thin pieces.
3. Next, using your knife, make small cuts on one side of each cucumber slice, about 1/4 inch apart. Be careful not to cut all the way through the cucumber.
4. Finally, gently press down on the cucumber slices to fan them out and create a beautiful presentation.
To prevent your Thai cucumber salad from becoming too watery, make sure to sprinkle some salt on the sliced cucumbers and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This will help draw out excess water. Then, rinse the cucumbers and pat them dry before adding them to the salad.
No, you do not need to soak the cucumbers in salt water before using them. However, if you want to add an extra step to prevent excess water in your salad, you’re more than welcome to!
What to Serve with Our Thai Cucumber Salad
It goes without saying that a good Thai-inspired side dish like this cucumber salad pairs perfectly with a main course of Thai food. From Thai fish cakes to Thai chicken curry, this salad adds a healthy, refreshing, and complementary flavor to any dish.
We recommend our Slow Cooker Thai Curry Soup, Pad Thai, or Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken for the ultimate Thai-style feast.
How to Store Any Leftover Thai Salad
This salad is best served chilled but can also be enjoyed at room temperature. If you’re making it ahead of time, we recommend holding off on adding the dressing until a few minutes before serving. This will help keep the salad from getting soggy. Our Thai cucumber salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Delicious Thai-Inspired Recipes
We’ve got plenty more where that came from! If you enjoyed this easy Thai cucumber salad, we think you might also like to check out:
- 2 English cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro fresh, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 red chili thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts chopped
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In a large bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, red onion, and cilantro.
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In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, and chili.
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Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture, tossing well to combine. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
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Garnish with roasted peanuts before serving.
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 3
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