Cucumber Sesame Salad is incredibly simple, and a fresh addition to any meal. A perfect combination of rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and a dash of sugar to balance all the ingredients together. Topped with sesame seeds and crushed red pepper flakes for a tiny zing of heat. Try this soon, you won’t be disappointed.
This recipe has a special memory for me because the first time I tried it was also the first time I met my husband’s family back when we were dating. Dave’s father Chet had a small collection of recipes that he personally took credit for and Cucumber Sesame Salad was one of those recipes. I think when I fell in love with Chet’s Rhubarb Crunch is when Dave’s parents fell in love with me.
I was already familiar with cucumber salads made with vinegar, but the combination here of rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and soy sauce is more complex and almost earthy. A little sprinkle of sugar for sweetness and crushed red peppers for heat and this salad has every flavor sensation imaginable. I love to pair it with Sesame Chicken and Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken, but Cucumber Sesame Salad is also delicious with any grilled meat or meatless main dish.
Since first tasting the original recipe, I’ve adapted ingredient quantities a little and I shortened the name. But the typed, original recipe is forever in my collection. Chet had a 1950ish manual typewriter (the original social media device) and he used it frequently to communicate with others, giving “trip reports” after special family vacations, and sharing WWII memories or debating politics with his two brothers. He also would type up recipes he was particularly proud of and if anyone exclaimed over a particular dish, they got their own copy, typed up just for them. Needless to say I have a few that he typed for me since I am a foodie after all… and I wasn’t in any way trying to butter up my potential future father-in-law.
Most recipes typed by Chet would finish with his signature “Enjoy!”. So, if you have original recipes from someone who has gone on before… I hope you continue to “enjoy” their company by making the dishes they took the time to share with you.
And after this little story, if you didn’t know it before, you have to know by now that sharing food with others is a wonderful way to pass on your legacy. Why not type up (or better yet, write up) a recipe that you’re proud of and give it to someone who you want to always remember you. Because I promise… they will.
Cucumber Sesame Salad
Ingredients
- 2 medium cucumbers, peeled if desired, sliced very thinly
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon sugar, or honey
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Slice 2 cucumbers and place on paper towel to remove some of the moisture
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, add cucumbers. Stir to coat.
- Taste and add more crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
- The salad may be made up to 4 hours ahead of serving but should be served the day it is made.
Recipe from The Late Chester T. Humeniuk, member of The Greatest Generation. Ever.
Jane says
I have been looking for a cucumber sesame salad like one I had at a local Japanese restaurant and I found what I was looking for in this recipe.
So good and so easy and quick! Perfect combination of vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, customizable spice and sweetness. Thank you!
Sally Humeniuk says
That’s awesome, Jane. Glad I could help! 🙂
NS says
This recipe is perfect! I can eat it with plain rice, cheesy pasta, baked salmon, with chopped fruit or by itself and it’s amazing 🤩
Sally Humeniuk says
Thank you, NS! I’m glad you like it. We like it around here with just about everything, too. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
jill m says
I love this recipe, so refreshing and light at the same time! Thank you for sharing!
Trish says
This cucumber salad is the best! During the summer there is usually a plethora of cucumbers and after making this salad there are now never enough! Everyone gobbles it up, light and refreshing…great for summer eating with grilled foods and corn on the cob!
Sally Humeniuk says
Trish, thanks so much for this nice comment! Such an easy recipe but I agree with you that it’s perfectly paired with summer grilling.
Van says
Fast to make and I love it cold from refrigerator. Great recepie.
Sally Humeniuk says
Thanks, Van! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Dixosh says
Thank you for this recipe! I used to make cucumber kimchi, but this is now my cucumber go-to. It is always a hit.
PS: I actually prefer it after it has been in the fridge for a day. The flavors blend fabulously.
Sally Humeniuk says
Hi Dixie, Thanks for this wonderful comment! I’m so glad you like the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to write about it, it means a lot. 🙂
Ann Cromwell says
is the rice vinegar the “seasoned” kind or unseasoned? I currently have just the seasoned kind (has sugar, salt) but can adjust the seasonings in the recipe to compensate.
thanks
Sally Humeniuk says
Hi Ann, I have used both. If using the seasoned vinegar, maybe reduce the sugar in the recipe and taste it before adding more.
trish says
This is a requested salad the family loves! Just wonderful!
Sally Humeniuk says
Thanks Trish! That’s so nice to hear. 🙂
Momo says
I’ve made this several times for my go to side dish to pair with either Thai style chicken wings, roasted Char Sui pork belly or Laotion spiced sausage. It’s so simple and refreshing. I do add bird’s eye chili for extra heat. Thank you!
Sally Humeniuk says
Hi Momo! That is excellent to hear and I love the idea of adding some chiles for a little heat. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by, it means a lot. 🙂
Nikki says
Love, love, love this salad!
greg says
Can’t wait to get home and make the Cucumber Sesame Salad….
Would you please share the recipe for “Chet’s Rhubarb Crunch” ?
Sally Humeniuk says
Hello Greg! I hope you like the cucumber salad. I’ve been meaning to make the Rhubarb Crunch for awhile now and since you’ve asked, I’ll hopefully get it on very soon. 🙂
Tracey says
made this dish with bacon wrapped jalopeno peppers!! delicious. I didn’t put sugar I used honey instead..YM
Clay says
Outstanding
Shafriza says
I made this today for lunch with some other thai curries. Everyone loved it and raved about it. Thank you soo much.
sally says
Hi Shafriza, I’m so glad the cucumber salad was a hit for you! Thanks for taking the time to comment. It means a lot.
Ashima says
This is such a delightful recipe! I recently made it for my mother and it was a great way to introduce her to some Asian flavours..
Thanks for sharing and thanks to your father in law as well! 🙂
lots of love,
Ashima
Sally Tieso says
Just made these and they are sure to be a hit! Great for a hot summer day. Thanks so much:)
Sally says
Hi Sally, Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I’m glad you liked the cucumber salad! 🙂
Denise Weidler says
Will rice vinegar work the same as rice wine vinegar, because I can’t find rice wine vinegar. Even our Asian store doesn’t have it. Thanks.
Sally says
Hi Denise, Yes actually Rice Vinegar is what I meant. All this time, I’ve had that mistake in the recipe. Thanks for the heads up. Changing now.
Denise Weidler says
Thankyou so much, Sally. I’ve been going nuts trying to find that. Even my Asian neighbors were going to look for it when they went to a bigger town.
Dee says
Perfect quick dinner salad! My family loved it and I love no more wasted cucumbers!
Sally says
Thank you Dee! Glad you all enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Karen says
Do you have to add the sugar?
Sally says
Hi Karen, Nope. Sugar totally optional. I many times leave it out (I should note that in the recipe).
karen says
this looks phenomenal. definitely trying it out! thank you!!!
Jelaine says
Definitely going to try this one!
Would love Chets rhunarb crisp recipe!
Sally says
Hi Jelaine, Chet’s Rhubarb Crisp will be up in the next month or so. 🙂
Jelaine says
Awesome! Can’t wait.
Love Rhubarb! My dad’s 95 WWII vet also.
Shamma says
I tried this . It’s yumm ( kinda spicy for me) ??
Tessy says
Nutritional values
Sally says
Tessy, I don’t count calories, etc. in most any of my recipes. I focus on good ingredients and build my menu that way. There are several sites on the internet that allow you to insert ingredients and quantities and they’ll calculate all the nutritional information for you. Simply search for terms like “recipe nutrition calculator”. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
Jackie says
A go-to snack in the fridge. YUM!
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Last summer I had so many cucumbers that I had to come up with creative ways to get them eaten. Pinning this because I will probably have a bunch this summer too.