Thai Peanut Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Crisp cucumber and carrot blend with a creamy peanut dressing for a flavorful, light Thai-style salad.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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
16 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine the thinly sliced cucumbers, julienned carrot, red onion, and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Gradually add warm water until smooth and pourable. Stir in optional red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to ensure even coating.
04 - Sprinkle chopped peanuts and sesame seeds over the salad. Serve immediately or chill up to 30 minutes to enhance crispness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for those moments when you want something fresh but don't have time to fuss.
  • The creamy peanut dressing somehow tastes restaurant-quality even though you're whisking it in your own kitchen.
  • It's naturally flexible—add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp and you've got a complete meal.
02 -
  • The dressing thickens as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, add an extra splash of warm water just before serving to bring it back to that silky consistency.
  • Never skip the fresh lime juice—it's what prevents this from tasting like peanut butter mixed with vegetables and instead makes it taste like a thoughtful dish with intentional flavor layers.
03 -
  • If your peanut butter is very thick, warm it gently or whisk it with a tiny bit of warm water first—it makes incorporating it into the dressing infinitely easier.
  • Taste as you thin the dressing; you're aiming for that silky consistency that coats vegetables without pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
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