Thai-Style Peanut Cucumber Salad (Print View)

Refreshing cucumber and carrot salad with creamy peanut dressing and fragrant Thai spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
03 - 0.25 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

→ Creamy Peanut Dressing

07 - 0.25 cup creamy peanut butter
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh 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
16 - 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix sliced cucumbers, julienned carrot, red onion, and cilantro until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a medium bowl. Gradually add warm water until smooth and pourable. Incorporate red pepper flakes or sriracha if desired.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle chopped peanuts and sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes to enhance crispness.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, no cooking required, which means you can make it on a Wednesday night without losing your mind.
  • The peanut dressing is thick enough to cling to every vegetable but pourable enough that you don't need a PhD in whisking to get it right.
  • It tastes even better the next day when the flavors settle in, so meal prep actually works in your favor here.
02 -
  • The dressing will thicken as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, thin it with a splash of water just before serving.
  • Never mix the dressing in the same bowl as your vegetables until you're ready to serve; wet salad sitting around is nobody's friend.
03 -
  • Warm water in the dressing helps the peanut butter emulsify smoothly, so don't skip this step or use cold water thinking it won't matter.
  • If you're serving this at a gathering, dress it right before people eat; it's one of those salads that's best fresh and just-coated rather than sitting in dressing for hours.
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