Welcome to part 2 of the 4-part cucumber series. Today, I’m sharing 30 Asian-inspired recipes that use cucumbers as an ingredient that you’ll want to add to your summer menu.
I’m pretty sure cucumbers don’t come to mind when you think about Asian food, but surprisingly it’s an ingredient that is used quite often. Cucumbers add crunch and freshness that is needed without interfering with other flavors.
Before we get to the 30 Asian-inspired recipes that use cucumbers, you might want to see the 20 Cool Summer Cucumber Drink Recipes to help you keep hydrated during the summer.
30 Asian-Inspired Recipes That Use Cucumbers
If you like crispy jasmine rice, crunchy cucumbers, and chili garlic spice this is the salad for you.
Light, cool, and delicious! Those are the words that describe this amazing raw miso salmon and cucumber salad. Serve as a meal starter or eat as a light meal.
Skip the zucchini noodles and opt for cucumber noodle salad for a refreshing summer 'noodle' dish. Note: sauce contains peanut butter and chili oil.
The combination of sriracha sauce, ginger, fish sauce, and miso paste creates a balance of flavors in this Japanese and Thai fusion cucumber salad.
Skip the zucchini noodles and opt for cucumber noodles for a refreshing summer noodle salad dish.
These vegan summer rolls are a breeze to prepare. They're full of colorful fresh vegetables (cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, and more) and make a terrific light meal.
If you have leftover rice and tuna, this is a quick kimbap to throw together. Spicy tuna kimbap is perfect for when you want something light to eat, but don't want to sacrifice flavor. Plus, it makes great picnic food too! FYI - Don't skip the cucumbers as it adds freshness and a nice crunch to the kimbap.
Say hello to the tossed salad of your dreams! This Cabbage Cucumber Salad with Miso Dressing is loaded with sesame seeds, green onions, and loads of other flavors to really make it pop.
I'm crazy about Thai food. It's fresh, clean, and vibrant. Now, I know you might be thinking Thai cuisine is hot and spicy (it can be) but using chilies in this recipe is optional. In fact, this Thai Cucumber Salad is cool, crunchy, and light...perfect for summer!
Instead of a mayo-based salad, try this Asian cucumber salad with a special Asian dressing.
Refreshing Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad is a delicious side dish recipe, especially for warm weather. This Cucumber Salad Recipe will help you to cool down during hot summer days.
Fried tofu, cucumbers, carrots, onions, and fresh herbs with a rice vinegar dressing make this salad a filling lunch or dinner option.
This Japanese cold cucumber, daikon, and carrot salad is a refreshing summer side. Super easy to make and simply delicious!
This easy Asian cucumber salad recipe is made with thin slices of juicy fresh cucumbers combined with sesame soy dressing and topped with your favorite garnish - toasted sesame seeds, fresh ginger, or chopped green onions.
This smashed cucumber salad is seasoned is gochujang, hoisin, sesame oil, and mayo for a Korean-inspired side dish.
Pickled cucumbers are incredibly easy to make and you probably already have everything you need in your cupboard. This Japanese Pickled Cucumber recipe only takes an hour to marinate and can last up to a week in the fridge (if they aren't devoured in a day).
Crispy cucumbers pickled in a soy sauce base brine. Great with rice, noodles, and more. Best eaten after 24 hours and keeps for up to 2 weeks.
Din Tai Fung is one of my youngest son's favorite Taiwanese places to eat. They are super popular in Southern California and specialize in soup dumplings, but they have other tasty dishes too. So this cucumber salad inspired by Din Tai Fung is a must-try!
Crunchy, spicy, and a refreshing side dish. That is Chinese smashed cucumber salad! This cucumber salad can be addicting, so fair warning.
If you have been looking for an easy Chinese spicy cold cucumber salad, then you should check this recipe out. Note: Uses black Chinese vinegar, chili oil, and light soy sauce.
This Kimchi Cucumber Salad recipe is bursting with flavor. This Kimchi Cucumber Salad is a fun side dish that works great with Asian dishes or rice bowls. Note: Use vegan kimchi to make it a delicious vegan meal!
Some recipes seem too complicated to make at home, but this quick cucumber kimchi recipe is so full of flavor and super easy to make! These are a take on Korean cucumbers (called Oi Kimchi) that are spicy and quick-pickled.
If you’re looking for a way to get more veggies into your meal, this Korean cucumber salad will make a great choice. The combination of spicy and savory flavors makes it one of my daughter's favorite cucumber sides.
This recipe shows you how to make quick Asian pickled cucumbers in as little as 5 minutes with a strong flavor or 20 minutes for a more mild flavor.
This light and healthy Asian Cucumber Edamame Salad is dressed with a Japanese sesame ginger dressing. It's a delicious side to serve on warm summer days.
I love kappa maki (cucumber sushi) and it brings back childhood memories. Super simple to make a great midday snack. And if you want to add some tartness, add in some ume.
If you're looking for a tasty potato salad, try this easy recipe for Japanese Potato Cucumber Salad. It's made with familiar ingredients and once you taste it, you'll want to make it again and again.
A popular American Japanese style salad made with strips of imitation crab, cucumbers, mango, and carrots in a creamy mayo sauce.
This Thai Cucumber Salad is perfect for a party, a potluck or just as a lunch. If you love the flavours of thai food, you need to try this one out! Fresh, crisp and best of all super quick to prepare! Note: this is peanut butter free for those with peanut allergies.
Sesame Soba Noodles — Registered Dietitian Columbia SC
Don't let the looks of this dish deceive you. There are 2 whole shredded cucumbers in this Cucumber Chili Noodles dish. It's the perfect mix of cool and hot in one dish.
Here's a vegan version of a classic non-vegan Chinese Spicy Cucumber Bean Curd Salad. So tasty that you won't even miss the meat.
I hope you can use some of these recipes this summer! What is your favorite Asian cucumber recipe? Feel free to leave them in the comments!
