Meet my new favorite salad: this cabbage cucumber salad, tossed with a fabulous miso sesame dressing. It's all the things: fresh, crunchy, tangy, nutty, flavorful, refreshing, and absolutely delicious.
This salad was originally inspired by a few different things: some cucumber salads I saw on TikTok, and my favorite cucumber summer salad from my favorite vegetarian Thai restaurant in San Diego, Plumeria. Once I started making it at home, with my own twists, and realized how easy it was...it came a staple on repeat in my kitchen. I've had countless days standing at the kitchen counter eating this salad for lunch.
It's the perfect salad for summer, and since it's lettuce-free, you can make it ahead of time and grab it out of the fridge when you need something quick and refreshing. It makes a great side dish, or add some extra protein (ideas below!) to make it a full meal. I think you'll be as obsessed as I am!
What's in this cabbage cucumber salad?
- Persian Cucumbers: these are the smaller ones, and I find they work best because the seeds are tiny and the skin is thin, so no need to peel!
- Thinly Shredded Cabbage: I used red cabbage, green will work too!
- Green Onions: we use LOTS for maximum flavor.
- Peanuts: feel free to skip if you have a peanut allergy or sub for almonds.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: these are a MUST - they add so much texture! If you only have raw sesame seeds, toast them for a few minutes in a dry pan on low-heat.
Let's make the miso sesame dressing!
This dressing is so good you could DRINK it!! It's light, refreshing, and perfect for this cucumber salad. It would also be a great dumpling dipping sauce :)
What you need to make it is:
- Tamari: or regular soy sauce if you're not gluten-free. Coconut aminos are a great soy-free option.
- Rice Vinegar: I use regular unseasoned rice vinegar, but if you have seasoned on hand, that works too!
- Lime Juice: fresh is best!
- White Miso: I used chickpea miso, regular white miso works great too.
- Toasted Sesame Oil
- Chili Crisp: or chili powder. I used Trader Joe's Chili Garlic Crunch
- Garlic: I use fresh and grate it right into the sauce.
Could I add a protein?
If you want to serve this cucumber salad as a main dish, you absolutely could, but I would recommend adding some protein to make it a complete meal! You can add meat or a plant-based protein. Some of my favorites are:
I would serve with a grain like rice or quinoa to make it a filling, delicious meal. I hope you adore this recipe as much as I do!
Want more easy salads?
Cabbage Cucumber Salad with Miso Sesame Dressing
- Author: Rachel Conners
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 side servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free