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creamy peanut cucumber salad in bowl

Creamy Peanut Cucumber Salad

Refreshing, crunchy, and just like the viral Tik Tok cucumber peanut butter recipes you may have seen. It's fast and easy with loads of flavor.
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Course: Appetizer, lunch, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Keyword: cucumber salad, peanut butter
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 167kcal

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • Sharp knife or mandoline (optional for the cabbage)
  • whisk
  • Medium mixing bowl with Lid

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 3 small Japanese or Persian cucumbers about 1 pound, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish

Creamy Peanut Salad Dressing

  • 1½ tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • ¾ tablespoon rice vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili crisp oil more if you like it spicy
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • pinch of garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon water if needed to thin the dressing
  • ½ tablespoon Japanese mayo optional; adds creaminess and flavor

Optional Add-Ins

  • Thinly sliced red cabbage preferably shaved with a mandoline
  • Julienned carrots
  • Thinly sliced scallions
  • Crushed roasted peanuts for extra crunch
  • Sliced Fresno or Thai chilies for more heat
  • Edamame for extra protein

Instructions

  • Wash and dry the cucumbers. Slice the Japanese or Persian cucumbers into ¼-inch thick rounds. If using red cabbage, carrots, or scallions, prepare them now.
    3 small Japanese or Persian cucumbers
  • In the bowl, whisk together Peanut butter, Soy sauce, Rice vinegar, Sesame oil, Honey, Lime juice, Chili crisp oil, Fresh grated ginger, water, mayo, and a pinch of Garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
    1½ tablespoons creamy peanut butter, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, ¾ tablespoon rice vinegar, ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice, ½ tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon chili crisp oil, ¾ teaspoon freshly grated ginger, 1 tablespoon water, ½ tablespoon Japanese mayo, pinch of garlic powder
    Asian peanut dressing sauce
  • Place the cucumbers and cilantro in the same bowl. Add any optional vegetables such as shredded cabbage, carrots, or scallions.
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    Japanese cucumber with cilantro in bowl
  • Put the lid on the bowl and shake or toss until every cucumber slice is evenly coated. Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve cold, freshly made, and enjoy!
    1 tsp sesame seeds
    viral tik tok creamy peanut cucumber salad

Notes

This cucumber salad is best enjoyed fresh.
Once the cucumbers are tossed with the dressing, the salt in the soy sauce begins drawing moisture out of the cucumbers. By the next day, the salad becomes watery, and the cucumbers lose much of their crisp texture.
If you'd like to prepare it ahead of time, make the peanut dressing separately and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Slice the cucumbers and toss everything together, freshly, just before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Peanut Cucumber Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
167
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Cholesterol
 
1
mg
0
%
Sodium
 
328
mg
14
%
Potassium
 
214
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
5
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
11
g
12
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
118
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
32
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.