Asian Cucumber Avocado Salad
Fresh, crisp, and packed with flavor, this Asian Cucumber Avocado Salad is the kind of dish you’ll find yourself making again and again. The combination of crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, and a tangy sesame dressing creates a refreshing salad that works as a light lunch, a great side dish, or the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and seafood. It’s simple to prepare and comes together with just a handful of fresh ingredients.
Mirin adds a slightly sweet flavor that complements the rice vinegar and sesame oil. If needed, you can substitute a small amount of rice wine vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar.
You can prepare the cucumbers and dressing ahead of time. Add the avocado flesh just before serving to prevent browning.
You can, but thin-skinned varieties such as english cucumbers or persian cucumbers work best because they have fewer seeds and a better texture.
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Ingredient Notes
- Mini English Cucumbers: The star of the salad, providing crisp cucumbers and refreshing crunch.
- Kosher Salt: Helps draw out excess moisture, keeping the sliced cucumber crisp and flavorful.
- Purple Onion: Adds color and a mild bite that complements the creamy avocado.
- Avocado: Provides rich texture, healthy fats, and makes this an avocado cucumber salad recipe you’ll crave.
- Rice Vinegar: Creates the tangy base of the dressing.
- Sesame Oil: Adds the earthy notes of sesame that give this salad its signature flavor.
- Mirin: Brings a touch of sweetness and balance to the dressing.
- Minced Garlic: Adds bold savory flavor.
- Fresh Ginger: Provides warmth and freshness to the dressing.
- Honey: Balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a little kick without overwhelming the salad.
- Optional Garnishes: Crushed peanuts, black sesame seeds, and green onion add extra texture and flavor.
Asian Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice your cucumbers very thinly.
- Place your sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle the cucumbers with salt. Toss them to make sure they are all coated.
- Place the colander in a bowl, so that the excess moisture will drain out into the bowl. Place them in a refrigerator and leave them there for an hour – overnight. This will keep the salad from getting soggy and keep the cucumbers crisp.
- Combine the rice vinegar, sesame oil, mirin, garlic, ginger, honey and red pepper flakes.
- Slice your onion with the mandoline and set aside. When your cucumbers are ready, combine the cucumbers, onions and start with ½ the dressing, adding more as desired.
- Add diced avocado and carefully toss in your salad.
- Optional: Top with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, or green onions.
Asian Cucumber Avocado Salad
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 mini english cucumbers or about 1&1/2 regular english cucumber
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 purple onion
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: crushed peanuts sesame seeds and green onions for garnishes
Instructions
- Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice your cucumbers very thinly.
- Place your sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle the cucumbers with salt. Toss them to make sure they are all coated.
- Place the colander in a bowl, so that the excess moisture will drain out into the bowl. Place them in a refrigerator and leave them there for an hour – overnight. This will keep the salad from getting soggy and keep the cucumbers crisp.
- Combine the rice vinegar, sesame oil, mirin, garlic, ginger, honey and red pepper flakes.
- Slice your onion with the mandoline and set aside. When your cucumbers are ready, combine the cucumbers, onions and start with ½ the dressing, adding more as desired.
- Add diced avocado and carefully toss in your salad.
- Optional: Top with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, or green onions
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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