Zesty Shake Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Crunchy cucumber salad tossed in tangy soy-sesame dressing with a hint of heat.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, ends trimmed
02 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
04 - 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
06 - 1 1/2 tsp sugar or honey
07 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
08 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
09 - 1/2 to 1 tsp chili flakes, adjusted to taste

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (white or black)
11 - 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash and dry cucumbers. Slice each in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moons.
02 - Place cucumber slices and scallions in a large resealable bag or container with a secure lid.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, grated garlic, fresh ginger, and chili flakes in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
04 - Pour dressing over cucumbers and scallions. Seal bag or container and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to coat evenly.
05 - Refrigerate salad for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Transfer salad to a serving bowl and garnish with sesame seeds and optional cilantro before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes flat, no cooking required, just chopping and shaking.
  • The dressing is so bright and balanced that even skeptics come back for seconds.
  • It stays crisp for days in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Wet cucumbers will dilute the dressing and make it soggy, so pat them completely dry after washing—this one thing changed everything for me.
  • The dressing needs to actually coat the cucumbers evenly, which is why shaking in a sealed bag works so much better than tossing in a bowl.
03 -
  • Make the dressing the night before and let it sit in the fridge; the flavors develop and taste even more balanced when you shake it with the cucumbers the next day.
  • If your chili flakes are old or mild, toast them quickly in a dry pan before adding them to the dressing—it wakes them up and gives you real heat.
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