Fresh TikTok Viral Cucumber Salad Recipe Easy Crunchy Twist Perfect for Summer
A quick, easy, and refreshing cucumber salad with a tangy dressing and a crunchy twist from toasted nuts or seeds, perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds or toasted sunflower seeds
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Wash and thinly slice 2 large English cucumbers about 1/8-inch thick. Optionally peel partially for appearance.
- Thinly slice half a small red onion. Soak in cold water for 5 minutes if a milder bite is desired, then drain well.
- Toast ¼ cup sliced almonds or sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and golden. Stir often and let cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and optional ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the sliced cucumbers, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Pour the dressing over and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle the toasted almonds or sunflower seeds and sliced green onions on top. Toss gently to distribute without sogginess.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving to marry flavors. Serve cold.
Notes
If cucumbers release too much water, drain some before adding dressing to avoid sogginess. Always toast nuts or seeds fresh for best crunch and aroma. Prepare salad just before serving or within an hour for optimal freshness. Add nuts just before serving if storing to keep crunch. Adjust salt and sweetness to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cucumber salad, TikTok viral recipe, crunchy cucumber salad, summer salad, easy cucumber salad, healthy side dish, refreshing salad