This Thai Cucumber Salad is a perfect low carb summer side dish. Light and easy to make, the spicy Thai dressing will make your tastebuds sing! Paleo and keto friendly too. Instructional video included
This easy Thai Cucumber Salad features cucumber noodles made on a spiralizer. I have to tell you, those things are so fun and a must-have for any keto diet.
Also check out this Israeli Salad, it’s another great way to use cucumbers and fresh produce!
A few days ago, I was making lasagna with zucchini and today I am all about the cucumber noodles. You just have to love all the wonderful things you can do with fresh vegetables to replace the old carb-heavy standbys. I will say that working with a spiral vegetable cutter might be the most fun I’ve ever had with a kitchen tool.
I love the way it cuts the cucumber into long, curly slices like this. Of course, you don’t need a spiralizer to make this light, summery low carb salad. You could do just as well with a mandolin or a sharp knife and cut your cucumbers into crosswise slices.
However you decide to do it, this salad is perfect for a summer bbq or backyard get together. You can scale it up and make a whole bunch. Or you can do what I do and just keep it alllllll to yourself.
How to make Thai Cucumber Salad
Thai Cucumber Salad is so easy to make, you won’t believe it. It’s almost ridiculously easy. You simply whisk the dressing ingredients together, spiralize your cucumber, and pour the dressing on. Done.
One important tip: don’t add the dressing until you are ready to serve. Salt can draw the water out of vegetables like cucumber and it will end up in a pool at the bottom of your salad bowl. If you toss just prior to serving, the cucumber will stay nice and fresh instead of soggy.
I originally created this recipe for SheKnows.com and it was love at first bite. I adore the spicy flavors of Thai cuisine but I hate that there’s usually so much added sugar. Not to mention the carby noodles and rice that come along with it. But it’s easy to recreate these flavors at home in a healthier way. A little hot chill, some fish sauce, some lime and cilantro and you’ve got it made. If you’re strict Paleo, be sure to use the Red Boat brand fish sauce and coconut aminos.
Hooray for cucumber noodles! You won’t be able to get enough of this low carb Thai Cucumber Salad.
And if you’re looking for more great low carb salads, try this Gujarati Style Coconut Almond Warm Cabbage Salad from Cotter Crunch. Paleo and Whole 30! Or this delicious Hungarian Cucumber Salad from Kalyn’s Kitchen. Also check out this Thai Chicken and Cucumber Salad from Foodie Crush.
And if you don’t use the corn, this wonderful Grilled Vegetable Salad would be a great keto summer side dish!
Thai Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1-1/2 tablespoons fish sauce, use Red Boat brand for Paleo
- 1 tablespoon tamari, or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salad:
- 2 large cucumbers
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, coconut aminos or soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, chilies or pepper flakes, sesame oil, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Slice cucumbers thinly using a spiral vegetable slicer for noodles or a mandolin slicer for thin cross-wise slices. Transfer to a large bowl and add cilantro.
- Add dressing just before serving and toss to combine. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds.
Nutrition
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Love thai food – I made this last night and it was lovely, thank you!
I had to use some alternates – I used low sodium soy sauce, 1/4 tsp garlic powder (fresh though), 3tsp sesame oil, didn’t have cilantro, and no added salt. For those not used to or trying to cut salt, I HIGHLY recommend using low sodium soy sauce and omitting the added salt. Even the way I made it, it’s still >500mg sodium per serving, which is fine but edging on the high side for my tastes. Adding the extra tsp of sesame oil really helped cut some saltiness. I know it mostly runs off the cukes anyway (unless you’re like me and soaked up the bottom of the bowl with keto bread!). I might try using it on tomatoes next, which I also like a bit salt on. And possibly upping the red pepper flakes but I’ll see how hot it is after it sits in the fridge! Thanks!
Refreshing and delicious! I think chopped peanuts would be a good sub if you don’t have sesame seeds. I used only 1 T of fish sauce because I wasn’t sure if I would like it.
Yes, peanuts would be great!
This recipe is simple to make, which I appreciate, but unfortunately it is one I won’t be making again. The dressing flavors were just way too strong for our tastes, and neither one of us enjoyed it. The most likely culprit is the fish sauce. Some day I might play with it,, but not any time soon.
I have the Kitchenaid spiralizer. I purchased it after using the hand crank one several times and it is so work the money.
I paired this with last nights salmon (served cold). It was so delicious and the perfect lunch on a hot summers day!
So fresh and flavorful! Love this cucumber salad!
This looks so refreshing! Can’t wait to make it.
Love how simple and delicious this is!
So refreshing and flavorful, thanks for sharing this recipe!
Cucumber salad is the best! I cant wait to try this recipe!!
I eat ALOT of cucumber salads during the summer – what a great recipe!!
This will be a new favorite. Delicious! Thank you
Carolyn: I have both toasted sesame oil, and regular untoasted sesame oil (which I use to make homemade mayo). I am tempted to use the toasted sesame oil in this recipe, but I am wondering if you did not use toasted oil for a reason?
it would be fine.
This is a great salad! Very similar to a recipe my daughter-in-law, who is Chinese, shared with me – only she never uses a recipe. She doesn’t use fish sauce and so I don’t either and it is good – just don’t leave out the sesame oil!
I love cucumbers but have a fish and shellfish allergy. What could I use as a substitute for the fish sauce?
Hmmm, not sure there is anything out there like fish sauce so just skip it!
These look beautiful! My daughter introduced me to the spiralizer, and we love it! Haven’t thought of using cucumber, though.
I love the spiralized cucumbers in your salad!
These cucumbers look amazing! I’ve been thinking about getting a spiralizer and between this and your zucchini lasagna I might be sold!
Wow! That looks like a work of refreshing art. Perfect!
Blessings, Catherine
What is your vegetable spiralizer of choice? There are several kinds on the market and I can’t decide which kind to invest in. Thanks.
I have this one (it’s linked in the blog post too!). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0007Y9WHQ&linkCode=as2&tag=aldaidrabfo05-20