Sushi Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Crisp cucumbers with tangy vinegar dressing, sesame seeds, and nori for a refreshing Japanese-inspired side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 green onions, finely sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
05 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Garnishes

09 - 1 toasted nori sheet, cut into thin strips
10 - 1 tablespoon pickled ginger, chopped (optional)
11 - 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water and transfer to a large bowl.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar until sugar dissolves.
03 - Add the green onions and dressing to the cucumbers. Toss well to combine.
04 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and toss again.
05 - Top with nori strips, pickled ginger, and avocado if using. Serve immediately for best texture.
06 - For extra crunch, add thinly sliced radishes or carrots. Great alongside sushi rolls, grilled fish, or as a light snack. Pairs well with chilled sake or a crisp white wine. Adjust soy sauce and sugar to taste.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the perfect solution when you want sushi flavors but zero effort
  • The cucumbers stay impossibly crisp even after sitting in the dressing
  • Everything comes together in under 15 minutes with ingredients you probably have
02 -
  • The salting step is not optional, skipping it will give you a watery dressing and sad, soggy cucumbers
  • Nori continues to soften the longer it sits in the dressing, so add it right before serving if you want it crispy
  • Toasted sesame oil has a much stronger flavor than regular sesame oil, so make sure you have the right kind
03 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer if you have one, paper-thin cucumbers absorb the dressing better and feel more elegant
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding, it makes a huge difference in flavor depth

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