Tangy Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad
This Tangy Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad is a crisp, refreshing side dish packed with bold flavor. Quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for pairing with Asian dishes, grilled meats, or as a light snack! For more fresh recipes, see my Recipe Index page.
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If you’re looking for a light, refreshing side with a kick, this Tangy Thai Cucumber Salad recipe is about to become your new go-to!
Packed with bright, bold flavors, it balances cool, crisp cucumbers with a tangy vinegar dressing, a touch of sweetness, and a satisfying kick of heat from red pepper flakes or fresh chili.
It’s simple, addictive, and comes together in just minutes—perfect for summer meals, grilled dishes, or as a vibrant snack on its own.
This salad is inspired by the kind you’ll find served alongside rich Asian fusion dishes, like the one I first tried at The Cowfish in Charlotte, NC. I had no idea I needed spicy asian cucumber salad in my life until that first bite.
It was crunchy, sweet, sour, spicy, and completely crave-worthy. Now, I make a version at home that’s just as good, if not better—and I’m always tweaking it with extra chili flakes or a splash of lime juice depending on my mood.
Whether you’re serving it up with burgers, sushi, stir-fry, or even BBQ, this Thai cucumber salad adds the perfect punch of flavor and freshness to your plate. Plus, it stores well in the fridge and tastes even better after the flavors have marinated for a few hours. Try it once and you’ll be hooked!
This authentic Thai cucumber salad recipe is a fresh and easy summer appetizer or side dish. It is perfect for a summer cookout or picnic and can be made in minutes. The main ingredients are cucumbers and diced tomatoes, but you can also add other vegetables like bell peppers.
Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 large English cucumbers, peeled
- ½ cup “matchstick” chopped carrots
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- dash of lime juice
Optional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Peanuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Cut cucumbers in half long ways.
- With a melon baller, scoop out the seeds and pulp from the center of the cucumber.
- Chop cucumbers up into 1/4 inch slices and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt sugar, salt, and vinegars until sugar and salt are dissolved. About 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- Toss together cucumber, carrots, cilantro, and red onion.
- Pour the vinegar mixture, Sweet Chili sauce, and lime juice over the cucumber mixture.
- Marinate for a least 1 hour before serving.
Two things you can change if the marinade is too tangy for you.
- Omit the red wine vinegar and make the rice vinegar 1/2 cup.
- Omit the lime.
- If you prefer a spicier version, try adding red pepper flakes to add some heat.
This Tangy Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad is proof that simple ingredients can deliver big flavor. It’s the perfect balance of crunchy, cool, sweet, and spicy, making it a standout side dish for everything from Asian-inspired meals to summer cookouts.
Whether you’re serving it fresh or letting it marinate for even more flavor, this salad is sure to become a favorite on your table. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked after the first bite! Grab the recipe below!
AMAZON COOKING FAVS
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers, peeled
- ½ cup "matchstick" chopped carrots
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- dash of lime juice
Optional
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Peanuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cut cucumbers in half long ways.
- With a melon baller scoop out the seeds, and pulp from center of the cumber.
- Chop cucumbers up in 1/4 inch slices and set aside.
- In a small saucepan with medium heat, melt sugar, salt, and vinegars until sugar and salt are dissolved. About 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- Toss together cucumber, carrots, cilantro and red onion.
- Pour vinegar mixture, Sweet Chili sauce and lime juice over cucumber mixture.
- Marinate for a least 1 hour before serving.
NOTES
Nutrition
The nutrition info provided is only an estimate. See my nutrition disclaimer for more info on how the data is collected for recipes.
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I think the kids will love this for dinner.
Cucumber salads take me back to when my dad used to take cukes from our garden and soak in vinegar and black pepper!! Love the Asian twist on it!! Found this @ #HomeMattersParty
Kristine :)