Fresh Viral TikTok Cucumber Salad Easy Sesame Dressing Recipe
A quick, fresh, and satisfying cucumber salad with a tangy, nutty sesame dressing that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 2 medium Japanese or English cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cucumbers. Slice them thinly—about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Optionally halve the slices lengthwise for extra crunch. Place the cucumber slices in a medium mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together toasted sesame oil, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and minced garlic until the honey dissolves and the dressing is glossy and well blended.
- Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers. Toss gently with tongs or salad servers to coat each slice evenly.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions on top. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Season lightly with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss gently once more.
- Optional: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Drain excess liquid before serving if cucumbers feel watery.
Notes
Slice cucumbers about 1/8 inch thick to maintain crunch. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes for deeper flavor. Whisk dressing well to emulsify honey and prevent separation. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising cucumbers. Chill salad for best flavor and drain excess liquid before serving if watery. Can substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Use tamari for gluten-free version. Optional add-ins include fresh herbs, crushed nuts, or extra spice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cucumber salad, sesame dressing, quick salad, easy recipe, viral TikTok recipe, healthy salad, gluten-free, vegan, low-carb