Cooling Cucumber Salad

Written By Melissa Light

🥒 Too Hot to Cook? Cool Down with a Customizable Cucumber Salad! 🥢

🥗 This Meatless Monday, we’re keeping it simple, refreshing, and totally customizable… because let’s be honest, it’s too hot to think, let alone turn on the stove! This Asian Cucumber Salad is crisp, hydrating, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect dish for early summer heat and seasonal balance in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

🥒 Keep reading for all the ingredient options you have and learn how each can be tailored to your body’s needs this summer!

Cooling Cucumber Salad

INGREDIENTS

Base Ingredients:

  • Thin-skinned cucumbers (Persian, English, or Turkish) – Clear heat, hydrate, and support digestion

  • Seasoned rice vinegar – Gently moves Qi and supports the Liver

  • Toasted sesame oil – Nourishes Yin and lubricates dryness

  • Soy sauce or tamari – Supports Kidney and Spleen function

  • Maple syrup or honey – Harmonizes and supports Spleen Qi

  • Fresh garlic & ginger – Disperse cold, move Qi, and aid digestion

  • Scallions – Warm and pungent, help release the exterior

  • Toasted sesame seeds – Strengthen the Spleen and support digestion

Optional Add-Ins (TCM-aligned):

  • Lime juice – Cools and moves stagnant Qi

  • Thai basil – Aromatic, clears heat, and supports digestion

  • Dill – Support Liver Qi and Spleen

  • Crushed peanuts – Nourish Yin and moisten dryness

Optional Add-Ins (for flavor, not TCM cooling):

  • Gochujang or chili paste – Adds heat; use sparingly in hot weather

  • Fish sauce – Adds umami but may be warming; use mindfully

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. 1️⃣ Prep the Cucumbers

    • Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice cucumbers thinly.

    • Tip: Score the cucumbers with a fork before slicing—this helps the dressing cling better!

    • Optional: Toss with a little salt and let sit in a colander for 20–30 minutes to draw out excess water. Rinse and pat dry.

    2. 2️⃣ Make the Dressing

    • In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, sweetener, garlic, ginger, and any optional flavor boosters like lime juice or Thai basil.

    3. 3️⃣ Toss & Chill

    • Combine cucumbers with dressing and toss well.

    • Sprinkle with scallions, sesame seeds, and any extra herbs or toppings.

    • Chill for 15–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

    photo and recipe inspiration to Feasting at Home

Melissa Light
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