Quick Cucumber Salad | The Perfect Bbq Side You Can Make in Minutes!

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Marinated cucumbers & onions

As any southern gal can attest, there’s a cucumber salad of some sort at every outdoor function from May through September.

I’ve been playing around with flavors though and this ain’t your grandma’s recipe. I’ve combined the bright and complex flavors of Asian cuisine in an easy and approachable way. You can throw this together in a few minutes and let it work it’s marination magic while you get ready for the bbq.

How to make Asian cucumber salad

I was intimidated by Asian food for a long time. There’s technique, tradition and spices that are complex and nuanced and beautiful that felt like a barrier to entry.

However, once I just allowed myself the freedom to play around and experiment with flavors, I found I could achieve a similar result with a fraction of the effort. Is my Asian food as good as Kenny’s grandma who moved from Thailand when she was in her 50’s? Absolutely not. But it is damn good.

These simple ingredients can be found at your local grocery store.

• Cucumbers

• Shredded carrots

• Jalapeño

• Cilantro

• Red onion

• Poppy seeds

• Rice wine vinegar

• Sugar

• Chili garlic sauce

Gather the ingredients plus a bowl, cutting board and knife and follow the recipe card below. P.s. This Pampered Chef bowl ↓ is my favorite bowl - it holds 8 cups - it has a lid and a handle - talk about a workhorse.

What to serve with cucumber salad?

Whether you try out the Asian cucumber salad or a more traditional recipe - you can enjoy this easy summer side dish with:

• anything from the grill - grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, bbq, burgers, on top of hot dogs

• in a bowl with cottage cheese as a satisfying snack

• on top of greens for a nice salad

Quick Cucumber Salad

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Yield: 6-8 servings

Author: Jamie Riene

Prep time: 10 MinInactive time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber - peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/2 red onion - thinly sliced
• 1/2 jalapeño - thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup cilantro - chopped
• 1/2 cups carrots - shredded
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce

Instructions

1. Wash cucumber and remove the ends and most the peel
2. Chop evenly into thin uniform slices and place in a medium size bowl
3. Remove skin from onion and cut in half, and then into thin slices, add to bowl
4. Wash jalapeño and slice into thin slices
5. Chop cilantro and add to bowl
6. Add the carrots, chili garlic, poppy seeds, vinegar, water & sugar, to the bowl and mix well
7. Let marinate at least 30 minutes and serve as a fresh side!

Looking for a more traditional recipe?

You can check out out this video ⇊

This recipe comes together just as quick with just cucumber & onions plus things you have on hand - vinegar & oil, salt & pepper. Easy peasy. Check it out and go ahead and subscribe to my channel while you’re there. 😉

Need more inspiration? Sample the latest. ↓

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