Thai-Style Peanut Cucumber Salad (Print Version)

Crisp cucumbers and carrots in a creamy, tangy peanut dressing with fresh herbs and a touch of spice.

# Components:

→ 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, as needed
16 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Combine the sliced cucumbers, julienned carrot, red onion, and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a medium bowl. Gradually add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Incorporate red pepper flakes or sriracha if desired.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
04 - Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts and sesame seeds over the salad. Serve immediately or chill up to 30 minutes for a crisper texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its cooling and bright, the kind of salad that actually makes you feel better after eating it.
  • The peanut dressing comes together in under three minutes and tastes like something youd pay too much for at a restaurant.
  • You dont need to cook a single thing, which means you can make this even when youre too tired to think.
02 -
  • If your peanut butter is too thick, the dressing will seize up and refuse to blend, warm water is not optional.
  • Dont dress the salad more than an hour ahead or the cucumbers will start weeping and the whole thing will get watery.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it, everyones peanut butter and soy sauce is a little different in saltiness.
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave the cucumbers into ribbons instead of slicing them, it makes the salad feel fancier and the dressing clings even better.
  • Toast your peanuts in a dry skillet for a minute before chopping them, the extra nuttiness is worth the tiny effort.
  • If you dont have rice vinegar, use apple cider vinegar with a pinch of sugar, it works in a pinch.
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