Thai Peanut Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Crisp cucumbers and carrots with a creamy, tangy peanut dressing and fresh cilantro, perfect for a light lunch or side.

# What you'll 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 freshly squeezed 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)

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the sliced cucumbers, julienned carrot, red onion, and cilantro evenly.
02 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a medium bowl. Gradually add warm water until the dressing is smooth and pourable. Stir in red pepper flakes or sriracha if using.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to ensure uniform coating.
04 - Sprinkle chopped peanuts and sesame seeds over the salad. Serve immediately or chill for up to 30 minutes for a crisper texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in minutes with no oven, no stove, and barely any cleanup.
  • The dressing is so good you'll want to drizzle it on everything from noodles to grilled chicken.
  • Every bite has texture contrast: crisp cucumber, crunchy peanuts, and that silky coating.
  • It tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for half an hour, making it perfect for meal prep or potlucks.
02 -
  • If your peanut butter is stiff and won't whisk smooth, warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds first.
  • Don't add all the water at once or you'll end up with soup; the dressing should coat the back of a spoon.
  • Toss the salad right before serving or the cucumbers will start weeping and dilute the dressing.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline to slice the cucumbers paper-thin; the thinner they are, the better they soak up the dressing.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on top; it brings out a nutty aroma you can't buy pre-toasted.
  • If you love garlic, let the minced clove sit in the lime juice for a minute before whisking the dressing; it mellows the bite and blooms the flavor.
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