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 cucumbers and place on paper towel to remove some of the moisture
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all other ingredients and 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.
I love this recipe, so refreshing and light at the same time! Thank you for sharing!
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!
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.
Fast to make and I love it cold from refrigerator. Great recepie.
Thanks, Van! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
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.
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. 🙂
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
Hi Ann, I have used both. If using the seasoned vinegar, maybe reduce the sugar in the recipe and taste it before adding more.
This is a requested salad the family loves! Just wonderful!
Thanks Trish! That’s so nice to hear. 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
Love, love, love this salad!
Can’t wait to get home and make the Cucumber Sesame Salad….
Would you please share the recipe for “Chet’s Rhubarb Crunch” ?
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. 🙂
made this dish with bacon wrapped jalopeno peppers!! delicious. I didn’t put sugar I used honey instead..YM
Outstanding
I made this today for lunch with some other thai curries. Everyone loved it and raved about it. Thank you soo much.
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.
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
Just made these and they are sure to be a hit! Great for a hot summer day. Thanks so much:)
Hi Sally, Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I’m glad you liked the cucumber salad! 🙂
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.
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.
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.
Perfect quick dinner salad! My family loved it and I love no more wasted cucumbers!
Thank you Dee! Glad you all enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Do you have to add the sugar?
Hi Karen, Nope. Sugar totally optional. I many times leave it out (I should note that in the recipe).
this looks phenomenal. definitely trying it out! thank you!!!
Definitely going to try this one!
Would love Chets rhunarb crisp recipe!
Hi Jelaine, Chet’s Rhubarb Crisp will be up in the next month or so. 🙂
Awesome! Can’t wait.
Love Rhubarb! My dad’s 95 WWII vet also.
I tried this . It’s yumm ( kinda spicy for me) ??
Nutritional values
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.
A go-to snack in the fridge. YUM!
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.