Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad
Dive into a refreshing Thai-inspired cucumber salad that bursts with zesty flavors! Crisp cucumbers are tossed with a kick of chili, a splash of tangy lime juice, and a sprinkle of fragrant cilantro, making it the ultimate companion for your grilled favorites or a vibrant rice bowl. Get ready to elevate your meal with this easy, delicious side!
Prep
5
min
Cook
5
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(4)
- cilantro
- fresh cucumbers
- fresh squeezed lime juice
- shallots
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- sugaroptionalplain sugar or honey
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- fish sauce
📦Other(2)
- Thai chilioptional
- chopped peanuts
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Start with some fish sauce, fresh squeezed lime juice, and sugar.
- 2
Mix the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar together.
- 3
Add in a Thai chili (optional), shallots, and coconut sugar (or plain sugar/honey).
- 4
Stir the mixture and toss it with rough cut fresh cucumbers.
- 5
Top with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salt cucumber slices with 1 teaspoon kosher salt per pound and let drain for 15-20 minutes to remove excess water that would dilute the dressing.technique1 tsp salt per pound, 15-20 minutes
- ✓Balance your dressing with a 2:1:1 ratio of lime juice to fish sauce to sugar, then adjust - the acidity should hit first, followed by umami depth.ingredient2:1:1 ratio
- ✓Pound Thai chilies and shallots in a mortar and pestle rather than chopping to break cell walls and release 3x more volatile oils and flavor compounds.technique3x more volatile oils
- ✓Dress the salad just before serving because cucumber continues releasing water, diluting flavors by 30-40% within 30 minutes.timing30-40% dilution in 30 minutes
- ✓Toast peanuts at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant to develop Maillard reactions that create deeper, nuttier flavors that complement the bright dressing.technique350°F, 8-10 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
5
min
Cook
5
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad
Dive into a refreshing Thai-inspired cucumber salad that bursts with zesty flavors! Crisp cucumbers are tossed with a kick of chili, a splash of tangy lime juice, and a sprinkle of fragrant cilantro, making it the ultimate companion for your grilled favorites or a vibrant rice bowl. Get ready to elevate your meal with this easy, delicious side!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(4)
- cilantro
- fresh cucumbers
- fresh squeezed lime juice
- shallots
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- sugaroptionalplain sugar or honey
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- fish sauce
📦Other(2)
- Thai chilioptional
- chopped peanuts
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Start with some fish sauce, fresh squeezed lime juice, and sugar.
- 2
Mix the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar together.
- 3
Add in a Thai chili (optional), shallots, and coconut sugar (or plain sugar/honey).
- 4
Stir the mixture and toss it with rough cut fresh cucumbers.
- 5
Top with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salt cucumber slices with 1 teaspoon kosher salt per pound and let drain for 15-20 minutes to remove excess water that would dilute the dressing.technique1 tsp salt per pound, 15-20 minutes
- ✓Balance your dressing with a 2:1:1 ratio of lime juice to fish sauce to sugar, then adjust - the acidity should hit first, followed by umami depth.ingredient2:1:1 ratio
- ✓Pound Thai chilies and shallots in a mortar and pestle rather than chopping to break cell walls and release 3x more volatile oils and flavor compounds.technique3x more volatile oils
- ✓Dress the salad just before serving because cucumber continues releasing water, diluting flavors by 30-40% within 30 minutes.timing30-40% dilution in 30 minutes
- ✓Toast peanuts at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant to develop Maillard reactions that create deeper, nuttier flavors that complement the bright dressing.technique350°F, 8-10 minutes