Quick Thai-Style Cucumber Salad Recipe with Crunchy Peanuts
A quick, easy, and refreshing Thai-style cucumber salad featuring thinly sliced cucumbers, a tangy sweet and spicy dressing, and crunchy toasted peanuts. Perfect as a light side dish for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers or Kirby cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 large lime)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce/tamari for vegetarian/vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- A small handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Wash and dry the cucumbers thoroughly. Slice them thinly, about 1/8-inch thick, to yield roughly 4 cups (about 14 oz) of sliced cucumber. Set aside.
- If peanuts are not roasted, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and golden. Let cool, then roughly chop.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and red chili flakes until sugar dissolves and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Roughly chop cilantro and thinly slice green onions.
- In a large bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, chopped peanuts, cilantro, and green onions. Pour dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld without the cucumbers becoming soggy.
- Give the salad a quick toss before serving. Garnish with extra peanuts and cilantro if desired.
Notes
For best texture, slice cucumbers thinly and evenly. Toast peanuts fresh to enhance crunch and flavor. Let salad rest 10-15 minutes before serving to meld flavors but avoid sogginess. Adjust chili flakes gradually to control heat. Use fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for brightness. To keep cucumbers crisp, sprinkle with salt and drain excess moisture before mixing if needed. For vegan or gluten-free versions, substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Thai cucumber salad, quick cucumber salad, crunchy peanuts, refreshing salad, easy side dish, Thai dressing, healthy salad