Creamy Asian Cucumber Salad Bowl (Printable)

Crisp cucumbers, vibrant vegetables, and creamy sesame dressing create this refreshing bowl perfect for light meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 4 radishes, thinly sliced
05 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
09 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 teaspoon honey
13 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
14 - 1 clove garlic, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

# Directions:

01 - Combine the cucumbers, carrot, bell pepper, radishes, scallions, and red cabbage in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, and sriracha if using until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Divide the salad into individual serving bowls.
05 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro immediately before serving. For best results, serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy sesame dressing strikes that perfect balance between rich and refreshing, coating each vegetable without overwhelming their natural crunch
  • Everything comes together in fifteen minutes flat, making it ideal for those evenings when turning on the stove feels like a punishment
  • It keeps beautifully for days, meaning you can prep a double batch and suddenly lunch sorts itself for half the week
02 -
  • The salad tastes infinitely better after it has sat for at least 30 minutes, giving the vegetables time to soften slightly and absorb all that dressing
  • English cucumbers are worth seeking out here since regular cucumbers have thick, bitter skins and watery seeds that can make the salad soggy
  • Let the dressing come to room temperature before tossing since cold dressing can seize up and become difficult to distribute evenly
03 -
  • Salt your sliced cucumbers and let them drain in a colander for 20 minutes if you plan to make this ahead, preventing any dreaded watery situations
  • Invest in a good vegetable peeler for the carrot ribbons instead of julienne if you want a restaurant-worthy presentation with zero effort
  • Warm the sesame oil slightly before adding it to the dressing to help it emulsify and release more of those incredible aromatic compounds

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