Easy cucumber salad with rice vinegar is a simple, low-calorie, low-carb recipe with just 4 ingredients. Using a spiralizer creates fun cucumber noodles, though sliced cucumbers work just as well.

Easy cucumber salad with rice vinegar, red onion and sesame seeds in a brown bowl.

Notes from my kitchen

If you're looking for a no-fuss side dish for dinner or a potluck, look no further. This Asian-inspired cucumber onion salad is always a hit.

And it's embarrassingly easy to make, even if you take time to spiralize the cucumbers.

I always take this extra step because nobody can resist digging into pretty cucumber noodles marinated in rice wine vinegar.

Of course, it tastes exactly the same whether the cucumbers are sliced, diced, or cut into ribbons with a vegetable peeler. I pair it with sesame beef stir-fry or spicy orange chicken, and there are never any leftovers.

It's also a fantastic base for shrimp poke bowls.

Marjory

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Notes from my kitchen
Ingredient Notes
Equipment
How to make cucumber salad with rice vinegar
Top Tip
Variations
📋 Recipe
More Simple Salad Recipes

Ingredient Notes

Below are the simple ingredients needed for this cucumber salad:

Ingredients to make cucumber salad: 2 cucumbers, red onion, season riced vinegar, and sesame seeds.

Cucumbers - Use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers, if possible. Both have minimal seeds and thin skin. However, regular grocery-store cucumbers are an option. If you're cutting the cucumber into spirals, the skin and seeds are mostly removed during the process.
Red onion - Thinly slice it with a knife or mandolin.
Rice vinegar - We used seasoned rice vinegar because it already has a touch of sweetness. However, unseasoned vinegar with no added sugar also works. Add a pinch of your favorite sweetener if desired.
Sesame seeds - I sprinkle these over the top for visual contrast and a little crunch.

The recipe card below includes ingredient amounts, step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information.

Equipment

Do you need a spiralizer to make this recipe? Absolutely not. However, this kitchen gadget easily turns vegetables like cucumbers or zucchini into long, pasta-like strands.

You don't need to buy a fancy, expensive one to make this recipe. I used the one pictured below. It's inexpensive, easy to store, and does the trick.

If you have one, use a mandolin to cut the onion. Otherwise, use a sharp knife.

Veggetti spiralizer on a butcher block table.

How to make cucumber salad with rice vinegar

Use these pictures as a guide when you make the recipe:

Cucumber being spiralized into a red bowl.

Step 1. Spiralize or thinly slice cucumbers.

Step 2. Thinly slice red onion.

Fork pulling up spiralized cucumber and onion from the bowl with the salad.

Step 3. Toss sliced cucumbers and red onion in a large bowl with seasoned rice vinegar. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Optional: Toast the sesame seeds in a non-stick pan for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to brown and are fragrant, stirring frequently.

Top Tip

Allow the cucumbers and onion to marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to two hours. The flavors will meld, and the vegetables will slightly pickle while staying crisp. If possible, spread the salad out in a shallow bowl. Pour off excess vinegar before serving.

Variations

If you have tomatoes or hearts of palm on hand, add them to the cucumber salad! Add more rice vinegar to cover all the ingredients. You'll drain off the excess anyway!

Rice vinegar cucumber salad with red onion, grape tomatoes, hearts of palm, and sesame seeds in a brown bowl with grape tomatoes, and slices of red onion behind it.

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📋 Recipe

Easy Cucumber Salad with Rice Vinegar

Easy cucumber salad with rice vinegar is a simple, low-calorie, low-carb recipe with just 4 ingredients. By using a spiralized technique, you create fun cucumber noodles, although sliced cucumbers work just as well.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings: servings

Author: Marjory Pilley

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Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 3 cups cucumber English and Persian cucumbers have few seeds and are ideal. Regular cucumbers will work; about 2 medium-sized cucumbers
▢ 1 cup red onion about ½ small onion
▢ ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar excess is poured off
▢ 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

Spiralize or thinly slice cucumbers. Set them aside to drain in a colander and/or blot dry with a towel. If using a waxy cucumber with tough skin, discard the seeds and most of the skin. You can peel the cucumber first. However, I find it easier to pick out the long strands when I'm done.
Thinly slice red onion. I used a thin setting on a mandolin to achieve a similar look and feel to the cucumber noodles.
Toss sliced cucumbers and red onion in a large bowl with seasoned rice vinegar. Serve immediately or allow the vegetables to marinate for up to two hours,
Drain off excess liquid before serving and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Notes

Top Tip:

Marinate the cucumbers and onion for at least 20 minutes and up to two hours. The flavors will meld, and the vegetables will slightly pickle while staying crisp. If possible, spread the salad out in a shallow bowl. Pour off excess vinegar before serving.

Yield:

The salad settles as it sits, so the yield will vary from 3-4 cups.

Variations:

If you have tomatoes or hearts of palm on hand, add them to the salad! Add more rice vinegar to cover all the ingredients and drain off the excess before serving!

Storage:

Store leftover cucumber onion salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The salad will get soggy the longer it sits. Drain off excess liquid before serving.