Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe (Keto Friendly & Low Carb) 🥒🥢

Have you seen the latest culinary sensation? The Asian Cucumber Salad has taken the internet by storm, and it’s easy to see why. This cool and crunchy low-carb salad has a tangy but sweet dressing. What sets this recipe apart is its unique cutting technique!

Don’t be intimidated by the spiral-cutting technique! It’s super easy, and the results are crowd-pleasing. We’re here to guide you through step-by-step instructions, and you’ll soon realize that the process is simple than it seems.

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Preparation and cooking overview

Preparing this Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe is very easy. The secret lies in the tangy dressing made with soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and monk fruit. Sprinkle some sesame seeds and minced garlic for a final touch. In 30 minutes, you can savor this TikTok sensation!

Viral cucumber cutting technique

There are various names for this viral cutting technique, such as:

Slinky cucumber cut
Accordion cucumber cut
Spiral cucumber cut
Korean cucumber salad cut
Chinese cucumber salad cut

It’s a popular method that has taken social media by storm. In fact, this unique cutting technique is also employed in a delightful salad known as Japanese Snake Salad.

After hearing about these fancy techniques, you might be wondering if you really need to learn how to cut cucumber for a salad! But we have got you. We’re sharing the easiest method for spiral cutting in the instructions making the process simple for you.

Chef’s note

Feel free to get creative with this recipe and customize it to your liking. If you enjoy some extra texture, add a handful of crushed peanuts for a delightful crunch. For those who appreciate spicy flavors, sprinkle chili flakes for a spicy Asian cucumber salad.

If you want to give an Italian twist to this salad, try our Italian herb vinaigrette. Whisk some olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, a garlic clove, and salt and pepper, and add it to your cucumber salad.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Recipe Makes 1 Serving

🥒🥢 Ingredients for this Asian cucumber salad recipe

Here is a simple ingredient list to make this delicious salad:

3 large English cucumbers (6 Persian cucumbers or 6 Japanese mini cucumbers)
1 tablespoon of sea salt
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
1 teaspoon of monk fruit
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of sesame seeds

Cucumbers, salt, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, monk fruit, garlic, and sesame seeds made ready on the kitchen table.

Ingredient substitutions

You can substitute a few ingredients from the list in case you don’t have them at home:

Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos are fantastic alternatives, especially if you’re looking for a gluten-free or soy-free option.
Monk fruit: If you don’t have monk fruit, try other keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.
Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, use a pinch of garlic powder. Use about ⅛th of a teaspoon to replace a fresh clove.

Additional ingredients

Salads are the most versatile dish in the world. You can experiment with them as per your liking. It’s always a refreshing idea to add ingredients or toppings of your choice, and you can do that in this recipe too!

Chopped chives: Add chives to the salad for an extra flavor. Chives have a mild onion-like taste with subtle hints of garlic. They are known for their fresh and sharp flavor profile.
Sichuan chili pepper flakes: Add Sichuan chili flakes for a touch of spicy Asian flavors.
Chili oil: Add homemade chili oil to add a depth of flavor.
Fish sauce: For some funky touch, add a dash of fish sauce for an authentic Asian twist.
Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds a zesty flavor to the salad and makes it super refreshing.

Keto asian cucumber salad served in a bowl along with chopsticks.

Cooking tools required

To make this Asian Cucumber Salad recipe, you will need the following kitchen tools:

Sharp knife
Cutting board
Mixing bowl
Chopsticks
Measuring spoons

Tools substitute options

If you don’t have chopsticks, you can use wooden skewers or toothpicks as a substitute. Insert the skewer or toothpick into one end of the cucumber and hold it firmly while spiralizing with a knife or a spiralizer.

Homemade keto asian cucumber salad recipe.

How to make Asian Cucumber Salad: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

No-cook recipe

Preparation steps

Gather all the required ingredients for the recipe.
Measure the ingredients.
Sharpen your knife.
Wash the vegetables and dry them with a clean kitchen towel.

Cooking instructions

For spiralized cucumbers

Cut off the ends of the cucumbers and place them on a cutting board.
Place a chopstick on each side and press down gently.
Make thin, straight slices across the cucumber from one end without cutting through it.
Keep making slices until you reach the other end.
Turn it upside down, with the uncut side facing up.
Make thin slices at a 45-degree angle, again without cutting through the cucumber.
Cut it into bite-sized pieces. Put the cucumber pieces into a bowl and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt.
Toss well and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
After 15-20 minutes, drain the extra juice from the cucumbers and rinse with cold water to remove the excess salt.

Placing a cucumber between chop sticks on a chopping board.

Sprinkling salt on chopped cucumbers in a bowl.

For Asian cucumber salad dressing

Mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine vinegar in a separate bowl.
Add 1 teaspoon of monk fruit and 1 crushed garlic clove.
Mix well.

Soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, salt, and garlic placed on kitchen table with other kitchen equipments.

For the sweet and sour cucumber salad

Pour the sauce over the cucumber pieces and toss well to combine.
If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the cucumber salad for added flavor.

Pouring the sauce over the chopped cucumbers.

Seasoning cucumber salad with sesame seeds.

Chef’s pro tip

A tip for the crispiest texture is to wash the salted cucumbers with cold water. After you let them sit for a while, give them a good rinse. Washing the cucumbers with cold water help firm up the texture and enhance the crunchiness.

What to serve with Asian cucumber salad?

You can pair this salad with the following keto dishes and make it a complete meal.

Grilled Chicken Skewers: Marinate chicken chunks, grill them, and have this salad with the chicken.
Salmon: Smoked or Broiled Salmon is a satisfying combination with this salad.
Sesame seared tuna: Coat fresh tuna steaks in sesame seeds, sear them briefly, and serve them alongside the cucumber salad.

Low carb salad in a bowl made with cucumber, vinegar sauce, and sesame seeds.

How to make it healthier?

Reduce sodium by reducing the amount of salt.
Choose a low-sodium soy sauce.
Opt for organic ingredients.

Time-saving tips

Use a garlic press to mince the garlic.

Chopsticks placed on top of a bowl of keto cucumber salad.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

Precut the cucumbers and store them in the fridge.
Prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
Make some toasted sesame seeds and keep them for later use.

Storage instructions

This crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad is best consumed fresh. If you intend to store it, you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the cucumbers may release water and make the salad soggy if left for too long. Therefore, it’s recommended to consume it as soon as possible.

A bowl of cucumber salad placed between small bowls of sesame seeds and vinegar sauce.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Experience the ultimate Asian Cucumber Salad that combines an irresistible crunch with bold umami flavors. This recipe requires minimal effort and gets ready in under 30 minutes. Prepare to be captivated by its appealing presentation!

We can’t wait to see how you’ve turned this recipe into your own unique creation. Feel free to share this recipe with your friends and family and tag us on social!

Picking up cucumber salad with chopsticks from a bowl.

Frequently asked questions

Your cucumber salad is watery because you didn’t salt the cucumbers and allowed them to sit for approximately 15-20 minutes. Adding salt extracts the excess water from the cucumbers, resulting in a crisp salad that isn’t watery.

If your cucumber slices are not holding together in a spiral shape, it’s because the cuts were made too deep. To achieve the desired spiral shape, follow our instructions and ensure the cuts are made correctly.

If the flavors in your salad are not blending well, coat the cucumbers evenly with the dressing.

If you find your salad bland immediately after mixing, let it sit for a while to allow the cucumbers to soak up the dressing.

📖 Recipe

Asian Cucumber Salad

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A viral sensation with a tangy dressing, unique spiral cutting technique, and refreshing flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Keyword cucumber salad, easy, keto salad, low carb

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 367kcal

Ingredients

3 large English cucumbers 6 Persian cucumbers or 6 Japanese mini cucumbers
1 tablespoon of sea salt
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
1 teaspoon of monk fruit
1 clove of garlic minced
2 tablespoons of sesame seeds

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