It is an error that needs correcting that in the near-20 years of plugging recipes into this url, only a few truly star cucumbers — and highly unrepresentative too, given that we are probably eating some format of cucumbers at half the nights of the week with dinner, and snacking on them throughout all of the other days. Crunchy, cold, hydrating, inexpensive, and taking well to any region of ingredients you wish to apply, I don’t need to sell you on their appeal, especially as we slog through our nth heat wave of the summer. I suspect that the lack of cucumber representation in the archives has more to do with the fact that little about cucumber salads brings out my inner obsessive recipe finetuner; usually I’m just throwing it together.
But for you, for us, and because this is actually the cucumber salad I make the most often on weeknights, I’ve pulled out the measuring spoons. Origin-wise, this is closest to a Japanese salad known as sunomono, which translates to “vinegared things.” Cucumbers are the most common, but it refers to any raw vegetable or seafood marinated in a sweet, tangy rice vinegar dressing. I skip the sugar, keep my cucumbers chunkier than seems common, and salt them for less time — I just do it for whatever time I have while I prefer other things, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Salting the cucumbers draws out some of their liquid, leaving a moisture deficit that better absorbs the dressing’s flavors.
For us, this is a staple of stir-fry, simple noodle dishes, or potsticker nights — either frozen or homemade, and also please tell me you want my pork potsticker recipe because I have so much fun making them, and making the whole family help. I usually have to double this because the least predictable member of our family* will eat the whole bowl before we have a chance to sit down if I’m not prepared.
(* I actually brought her some for her sleepaway camp visiting day, plus homemade dot cakes, and several other things I can’t tell you about lest you rightly judge me.)
It’s here! The 2026 SK Classroom Wishlist Project, in which we try to get teachers what they need to set their classrooms up for success, has kicked off. If you cannot figure out where to start, let me help! I recommend picking a school in your area, or perhaps where you grew up, or searching the descriptions for classrooms that might focus on something particularly meaningful to you. Help out if you feel you’re able. There is no purchase too small to unquestionably make a teacher’s (and their students’) day. Plus, buying crayons, pencils, and books that help kids learn and succeed feels really good. [Project information. Direct link to spreadsheet.]
Cucumber Salad with Sesame and Rice Vinegar
- 1 pound (455 grams) Persian-style cucumbers, trimmed, in 1/2-inch slices
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond brand, use half of others)
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
- Ground black or white pepper
- Chili oil or chili crisp to taste, or red pepper flakes
- Toasted sesame seeds
Combine cucumbers and salt in a bowl. Set aside for as little as 10 to 15 minutes, or up to an hour or two. Transfer to the fridge to keep it cold and refreshing.
Drain any liquid from the cucumber bowl, then add rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, pepper, and additional salt, if needed. Stir to combine. Finish with chili oil and toasted sesame seeds.
Do ahead: Leftovers keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, and they’re amazing, becoming gently pickled.
Previously
6 months ago: Miso Chicken and Rice
1 year ago: Grilled Chicken Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
2 years ago: Salted Caramel Peach Crisp
3 years ago: Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad and Raspberry Streusel Muffins.
4 years ago: Buttered Noodles for Frances
5 years ago: Deviled Eggs
6 years ago: Pasta with Pesto Genovese
7 years ago: Frozen Watermelon Mojitos
8 years ago: Corn Fritters and Bourbon Peach Smash
9 years ago: Hummus Heaped with Tomatoes and Cucumbers
10 years ago: Corn, Bacon and Parmesan Pasta
11 years ago: Tomato and Fried Provolone Sandwich
12 years ago: Easiest Fridge Dill Pickles and Grilled Peach Splits
13 years ago: One-Pan Farro with Tomatoes and Hot Fudge Sundae Cake
14 years ago: Bacon Corn Hash
15 years ago: Whole Wheat Raspberry Ricotta Scones
16 years ago: Mango Slaw with Cashews and Mint, Thai-Style Chicken Legs, Peach Blueberry Cobbler, and Scalloped Tomatoes with Croutons
17 years ago: Light Brioche Burger Buns, Blueberry Boy Bait, and Lemony Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza
18 years ago: Chocolate Sorbet
19 years ago: Double Chocolate Layer Cake
My garden is in cucumber overdrive so this is so awesome! Also uh yes please re the postickers!!
ditto the potstickers!
Cucumbers have always been one of my favorite things to eat. I remember sitting in the kitchen with my mom eating them, a much simpler version of sliced cucumbers, red wine vinegar and salt and pepper. I happen to have a couple in fridge, so this will be lunch today. Happy 20th Anniversary! I have been a follower/reader from the start. You always have the answer.
Persnickety question alert. Given that the earliest recipes on this website are from July 2006, why is the 20 year mark not already crossed?! Sorry, it’s just been buggging me.
I can’t wait to make this! I do love cucumbers and trying different ways of making them the star is so enjoyable to me. The fact I got pickling cucumbers and I’ve done my year fermented pickles, three large jars, and one small one so far. Making this salad out of more cucumbers I can get at my local farmers market that is only steps from my apartment is going to be so much fun.