Thai Peanut Cucumber Salad (Printable)

A refreshing cucumber and carrot blend dressed in creamy peanut sauce with Thai-inspired flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
03 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

→ Creamy Peanut Dressing

07 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
15 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water (to thin dressing, as needed)
16 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, julienned carrot, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Add warm water gradually until smooth and pourable. Stir in red pepper flakes or sriracha if desired.
03 - Pour dressing over vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Sprinkle chopped peanuts and sesame seeds atop the salad. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 30 minutes for a chilled, crisp texture.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, making it perfect for nights when heat is the last thing you want near the kitchen.
  • The dressing is a revelation—creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet all at once, turning basic vegetables into something you'll crave.
  • It tastes even better after sitting for a little while, so you can make it ahead and let the flavors get to know each other.
02 -
  • The dressing gets thicker as it sits, especially if the cucumbers release water, so taste it before serving and thin it with a splash more warm water if needed.
  • Freshly squeezed lime juice is non-negotiable—bottled versions taste harsh and miss the point entirely.
  • If you're not using sesame seeds or peanuts, add them at the very last second so they stay crunchy instead of absorbing dressing and turning soft.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing on its own before adding it to the vegetables—you want it to be bold enough to shine through without overpowering the freshness of the salad.
  • Slice your cucumbers as thin as you can manage without a mandoline, and salt them very lightly about 5 minutes before you dress the salad to draw out just a tiny bit of moisture and make them crisper.
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