Thai Cucumber Salad
Tangy, zesty, and absolutely mouth-watering, this fresh Thai Cucumber Salad is full of cool crisp cucumbers, onions and crunchy peanuts tossed in a tasty homemade Thai dressing.
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❤️ Why You’ll Love this Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Cool crisp and refreshing cucumbers
- Tossed in a bold flavored Thai dressing
- Perfect contrast of textures
- Easy to make low carb side
This Thai cucumber salad screams scrumptious! With crisp cucumbers, bold red onion, crunchy peanuts all tossed in tangy, robust Thai dressing, this salad is anything but boring! It’s loaded with tons of delicious flavors and textures in every single bite.
While there are so many things to love about this salad, the homemade Thai dressing really steals the show. It packs so much flavor, you may even want to make extra to use as a marinade for chicken or fish.
This cucumber salad recipe is a quick side dish to whip up to go with other Asian-inspired recipes, like this Thai Red Curry Coconut Pork, Thai Coconut Curry Grilled Chicken, Chili Lime Shrimp or alongside this Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup.
🛒 What’s in Thai Cucumber Salad
- English cucumbers
- Red onions
- Peanuts
- Garlic
- Rice vinegar
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
- Monk fruit/allulose
- Sambal
- Toasted sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Salt
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
🥣 Recommended Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
🔪 How to Make Easy Thai Cucumber Salad
Wash, dry and slice the cucumbers. I sliced mine on the bias to make them a little more special.
Tip: I also used a citrus zester to peel part of the skins, giving them better texture.
In a small mixing bowl, add in rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice, Sambal, salt, sesame oil and sweetener.
Whisk to combine the dressing.
Tip: You can also use this dressing over a regular salad with lettuce!
Add the cucumbers to a large mixing bowl along with the peanuts, red onion, sesame seeds and cilantro.
Pour the dressing over the top.
Toss to combine, making sure everything is well coated.
Allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Thai Cucumber Salad Variations
There are a several different ways you can change this cucumber salad up, depending on what you have on hand. These ingredients can either be added or swapped out:
- Yellow onions or shallots
- Chopped cashews or toasted slivered almonds
- Fresh chopped mint
- Thinly sliced jalapeño peppers
- White wine vinegar
Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe FAQs
What Type of Cucumbers Make the Best Salad?
You can use any type you prefer, though English cucumbers work really well in this salad because they don’t require a lot of prep work. You can also use mini or Persian cucumbers.
You’ll want to avoid regular American cucumbers because they contain too much water, have less flavor and have a thicker waxy skin.
Are Cucumbers Keto? What are the Carbs in Cucumbers?
Cucumbers are great for Keto or any type of diet! They are mostly water and are super low in calories and low on the glycemic index. At just 1.6 grams of net carbs in a ½ cup serving, they are a great low carb food!
Is a Cucumber Salad Good for You?
It sure is! Not only are cucumbers low carb and low calorie, but cucumbers are also rich in vitamins and minerals. They are a great source for vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium!
If you like a creamy salad, try this cucumber onion salad that’s made with cucumbers, red onion and a creamy dill dressing.
Why is My Cucumber Salad Watery?
Cucumbers consist of mostly water. Once they are cut, they’ll continue to lose moisture. If you’re making this salad a day in advance, you may want to slice the cucumbers lengthwise then cull out some of the seeds.
Another way to keep them from becoming soggy is to slice the cucumbers and place them in a colander. Toss them with about 1-2 tablespoons of salt, making sure to coat the slices evenly.
Let them rest for about 30 minutes, then drain and press them slightly with paper towels. this drains out the moisture and will help keep them crisp.
Should I Peel the Cucumbers for Thai Cucumber Salad?
I use English cucumbers in this recipe, which have thin skins, so you do not have to peel them completely. Plus, the peeling contains a good bit of fiber and nutrients you lose out on.
What is Thai Cucumber Sauce Made of?
This Asian cucumber salad has a simple sauce that really brings great flavor to the dish. The sauce consists of rice vinegar, Sambal, garlic, fresh lime juice and toasted sesame oil. The combination of flavors works so well that you can actually use it as a dressing for other salads.
Can I Omit the Sugar in Thai Dressing?
Omitting the sugar substitute will leave the dressing very tangy. The sweetener adds a wonderful balance and a slight sweetness. If you prefer your cucumber salad with a stronger vinegar flavor, you can certainly omit it.
More Keto Salad Recipes
- Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
- Grilled Shrimp Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette
- Keto ” Big Mac” Cheeseburger Salad
- Asian Grilled Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Keto Taco Salad
- Classic Cobb with Ranch Dressing
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Thai Cucumber Salad
RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
- 1 pound English cucumbers
- 1/3 cup red onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons monk fruit/allulose
- 1 tablespoon Sambal
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash, dry and slice the cucumbers. I sliced mine on the bias to make them a little more special. I also used a citrus zester to peel part of the skins, giving them better texture.
- In a small mixing bowl, add in rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice, Sambal, salt, sesame oil and sweetener.
- Whisk to combine the dressing.
- Add the cucumbers to a large mixing bowl along with the peanuts, red onion, sesame seeds and cilantro.
- Pour the dressing over the top, then toss to combine, making sure everything is well coated.
- Allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving.
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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Rate this Recipe
Can Zuchinni be substituted for cucumbers?
Zucchini can work in a pinch, especially if it’s raw and sliced thin. Just keep in mind that it’s less crisp and has a milder flavor than cucumber, so the texture and taste will be different. It won’t have the same refreshing crunch, but it’ll still soak up the dressing nicely.
Your beautiful photos drew me in, and I was craving a crunchy salad. I made this today and followed the recipe exactly. It was fabulous and perfect for my “crunchy” craving! It is a quick and easy recipe that paired wonderfully with our egg rolls, noodles, and pot stickers. I will most definitely be making this delicious salad again and again!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled that the photos caught your eye and that the salad hit the spot for your crunchy craving. It sounds like you put together an amazing meal! Yum! I love hearing that it’s a recipe you’ll be making again and again. Thanks for sharing. 😊
This looks like the perfect dish to take to a potluck. Thanks for all the tips also.
Thank you, it is awesome for potlucks. It’s also great to just keep a batch in the fridge when those snack attacks occur.
A yummy salad, so fresh and zingy. I didn’t put cilantro in but instead used a combination of parsley and mint. Thank you 😊
It really is a delicious salad. Those herb substitutes sound great.
nice, refreshing salad with some bite! I love cucumber salads and was looking for something different. this was it! I used liquid pyure instead of the monk fruit . Sambal is powerful! next time, I’ll cut back on it some.
I really love the flavor of Sambal, but it has a little kick to it for sure.
Very tasty! I used G Hughes Sugar Free Sweet Chili sauce for the sambal. Also, substituted Skinny Syrup Dragon Fruit flavor for monk fruit. I will be making this again.
So happy you enjoyed it! I love the substitution ideas you made.
Love a good cucumber salad for summer. This one is outrageously delicious! Fun to switch it up from a creamy salad to something like this. If you love Thai food, this recipe is for you!
Thanks so much. It’s such a delicious spin on ordinary cucumber salad.
I made this Thai cucumber salad recipe yesterday, and it was a burst of tangy and zesty flavors in every bite! It’s a refreshing salad that keeps me wanting for more! This is a must-try!
That’s awesome to hear! The flavors in this dish really are amazing.
This salad is so fresh and flavorful! The cucumber had a nice texture, and the dressing was tangy but not overpowering. I would definitely make this again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This recipe aught my eye and I just had to try it. Wow, the flavours are incredible! it is so simple and really delicious, perfect for summer.
Thank you so much. I love the combination of flavors and textures too.
I love serving this Thai cucumber salad with our fav grilled tilapia! It is so refreshing and bursting with flavors with the help of Thai dressing that everyone must try!
Thank you. The flavors go so well with just about anything. I hope you enjoy it.
Does the garlic go into the dressing?
Yes, it sure does.
I’m allergic to peanuts can I use cashews in stead
Sure! You can use any type of nut you prefer.
Very informative…thanks for the recipes.
You’re so welcome.
Can u add something else to it like feta cheese or mango ?
This is a very versatile recipe. You can add or substitute any of the ingredients you prefer.