Easy-Pickled Cucumber Salad: Asian Style

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Feb 5th 2025

This salad is loaded with fresh, crunchy cucumbers and zesty pickles. It's perfect for summer salad recipes and works well as a side dish for many meals.

Looking for a quick and refreshing side dish? This Easy Pickled Cucumber Salad is crisp, tangy, and slightly sweet—perfect for balancing out rich or spicy meals.

It's an Asian-style salad that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, rice dishes, or even as a light snack on its own! 🥒

What you'll need

• Cucumber – Crisp, refreshing, and hydrating, this green gem adds the perfect crunch to your salad.
• Soy Sauce – A rich, savory splash of umami goodness that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
• Rice Vinegar – Light and tangy, bringing a gentle acidity that brightens up the dish.
• Brown Sugar – A touch of natural sweetness that balances out the salty and tangy notes.
• Sesame Oil – Deeply aromatic with a nutty richness, adding warmth and depth to the dressing.
• Roasted Sesame Seeds – Tiny bursts of toasty, nutty crunch that enhance both flavor and texture.

Why You'll Love This Pickled Cucumber Salad Recipe 🩷

• Super Quick & Easy – Just a few ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time!
• Refreshing & Crunchy – Crisp cucumbers in a tangy-sweet brine.
• Pairs Well with Many Dishes – Great alongside stir-fries, grilled meats, or spicy foods.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge!

How to make Easy-Pickled Cucumber Salad: Asian Style

⚡️ Want a quick and easy Thai Pickled Cucumber Salad recipe? Here's a simple version that's perfect for busy days:

1. Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a bowl. If using regular cucumbers, remove seeds for a less watery salad.
2. In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
3. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss well to coat evenly.
4. Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors. For a deeper flavor, refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
5. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs before serving. Enjoy chilled!

What to Serve with Pickled Cucumber Salad

This salad is a fantastic side for:

🥢 Pair it with grilled meats like roasted Chicken, Korean BBQ, or miso-glazed salmon.

🌶 Balance out spicy dishes like Thai basil stir-fry, Szechuan noodles, or fried rice.

🥢 Serve it as a refreshing side for dumplings, gyoza, or summer rolls.

If you've ever wandered through the bustling night markets of Asia—whether in Japan, Korea, or Thailand—you know the magic of street food.

The sizzling grills, the rich aromas, and the vibrant flavors all come together to create some of the most crave-worthy bites.

One dish that always catches my eye (and my taste buds!) is a simple, yet totally irresistible pickled cucumber salad.

This little gem is the perfect sidekick to grilled/baked meats—like juicy Schweinshaxe pork knuckle, Lamb Loin Roast, fried dishes like Chick fil a nuggets, a plate of Beef Fried Rice, or even a spicy stir-fry. It's crisp, refreshing, and just the right mix of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet.

The secret? A quick soak in a delicious blend of rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and a sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds—all coming together to create that perfect balance of flavors.

If you're looking for a refreshing and crunchy side dish, my Easy Pickled Cucumber Salad is just what you need! It's light, tangy, and pairs perfectly with so many dishes.

But if you want to switch up the flavors a bit, try this Asian Miso Salad dressing.

This Easy Pickled Cucumber Salad is a simple yet flavorful side that's perfect for adding a refreshing crunch to your meals.

Try it out and let me know what you pair it with! 😊