Japanese Style Cucumber Salad Recipe

Craving a refreshing and vibrant Japanese-style cucumber salad? This recipe, inspired by a Cooks Illustrated classic, delivers a delightfully crisp and flavorful experience. Perfectly balanced sweet, savory, and spicy notes will tantalize your taste buds! Customize the red pepper flakes for your desired heat level. Easy to make and perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or appetizer.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 67 mins

Calories 43 kcal

Protein 2g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Japanese Style Cucumber Salad

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How to Make Japanese Style Cucumber Salad

Wash 1 large cucumber thoroughly or peel it.
Cut the cucumber in half crosswise, then each half lengthwise.
Gently scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Thinly slice the cucumber (thicker slices for extra crispness, thinner for a softer texture) and place in a medium-sized glass bowl.
In a small food processor or magic bullet, combine 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste), and 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves.
Process for 30 seconds, or until the mint is finely chopped.
Pour the marinade over the sliced cucumbers and gently toss to combine.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. (For best results, refrigerate for 2-3 hours or longer).
Serve chilled in individual bowls, spooning a little extra marinade over each serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

26 g

Sugar

27g

Fat

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Starters Appetizers & Snacks Salads Lunch Sweets & Sides Side Dishes Asian Japanese Healthy Vegetarian Vegan Gluten Free Summer Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Cuisine Preparation For 1 Or 2 Salads Asian Japanese Easy Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Japanese Style Cucumber Salad?

Japanese Style Cucumber Salad takes about 82 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 67 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Japanese Style Cucumber Salad?

Japanese Style Cucumber Salad has approximately 43 calories per serving, with about 2 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates and 0 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Japanese Style Cucumber Salad?

The key ingredients for Japanese Style Cucumber Salad are Cucumber, Rice Wine Vinegar, Water, Sugar, Mirin, Salt. See the full list with measurements above.