Go Back
–+ servings
Asian cucumber noodles with diced red onion, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds all tossed in a simple sweet and sour dressing.

Chilled Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad Recipe

This chilled sweet and sour cucumber salad is light, tangy and irresistibly refreshing. Slice the cucumbers into noodles, rounds or half-moons—whatever shape suits your style!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients  

  • 2 medium cucumbers, peeled
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 3/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons white sesame seeds

Equipment:

  • mandoline or spiralizer

Instructions 

  • Attach the julienne blade to the mandoline and adjust it to the 1/8-inch-thick setting. Applying medium pressure, carefully run one of the cucumbers down the blade to form noodles, slicing until you reach the core. Rotate the cucumber a quarter turn and continue slicing and rotating until you've cut the entire cucumber. Repeat the slicing process with the second cucumber then transfer the cucumber noodles to a medium bowl.
  • Add the red onion, rice vinegar, water, sugar and crushed red pepper flakes (optional) to the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cucumber noodles for a minimum of 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until chilled.
  • When ready to serve, use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the noodles to serving plates and top with the sesame seeds.

Notes

  • If you're using a spiralizer instead of a mandoline, simply twist the cucumber into the spiralizer to form noodles.
  • Make-Ahead: You can prep the salad up to 24 hours in advance. Give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
  • Storage: Store leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cucumbers will naturally release some liquid over time—this is totally normal! Just drain off any excess or use a slotted spoon to serve.
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!