Description
A refreshing and flavorful salad featuring thinly sliced English cucumbers tossed in a creamy, spicy peanut sauce, garnished with crunchy peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh green onions. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish with a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1.5 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ¼ – ⅓ cup peanuts, chopped small, lightly salted
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds, plus extra as garnish
- 2–3 tablespoons green onion, as garnish
- Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Peanut Sauce
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1.5 – 2 tablespoons water, depending on preferred thickness
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced cucumbers, chopped peanuts, white sesame seeds, and green onions. This mix forms the crunchy and fresh base of the salad.
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, water (adjust to your preferred thickness), low sodium soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the cucumber mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to evenly coat all the ingredients with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Spice (Optional): Sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes over the salad for extra heat if you like your salad spicy.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve immediately, garnished with additional sesame seeds and green onions to add texture and freshness to the dish.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced cucumbers for the best texture and flavor absorption.
- Adjust the water in the peanut sauce to reach your desired consistency.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and omit peanuts.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be prepared up to 2 hours in advance and kept chilled.
- Add red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook / Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cucumber salad, peanut sauce, spicy cucumber salad, easy salad recipe, Asian salad, vegetarian salad, peanut dressing
