Thai Cucumber Salad (Lime, Chili & Peanuts)

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Some recipes earn a permanent spot in your “make it again” list, and this Thai cucumber salad is one of mine. It’s cold and crunchy, with that bright lime bite up front, a little sweetness to round it out, and just enough chili heat to keep things interesting. The fish sauce doesn’t make it taste fishy—it just gives the dressing that savory, restaurant-style depth that makes you go back for another forkful.

I reach for this when dinner feels heavy or when I need something fresh on the table fast. It’s the kind of side that plays well with grilled chicken, rice bowls, spicy noodles, or honestly… straight from the bowl while you’re “just tasting.” A quick whisk, a quick toss, a short chill, and it turns into that crisp, punchy salad you’d swear came from your favorite Thai spot.

Ingredients

Dressing

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

• 1 teaspoon fish sauce

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 chili pepper, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or canola)

Salad

• 2 English cucumbers, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

• Kosher salt, to taste

• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1) Prep the cucumbers so the salad stays crunchy

1. Slice each cucumber lengthwise.

2. Use a spoon to scrape out the watery seeds (this keeps the dressing from getting diluted).

3. Thinly slice into half-moons.

Optional (but worth it): Put the sliced cucumbers in a colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let them sit 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels. This pulls out extra water and makes the salad extra crisp.

2) Make the lime dressing

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• lime juice

• fish sauce

• sugar

• chili slices

• garlic

• avocado oil

Whisk until the sugar looks mostly dissolved (it doesn’t have to be perfect).

3) Toss everything together

Add the cucumbers, cilantro, and red onion to the bowl. Toss well so every slice gets coated.

4) Chill (or serve right away)

• Best: Refrigerate 15–30 minutes so the flavors soak in.

• Fine: Serve immediately if you’re in a hurry.

5) Finish and taste

Right before serving, taste and adjust:

• Needs more pop? Add a squeeze of lime.

• Too sharp? Add a tiny pinch more sugar.

• Not salty enough? Add a few drops more fish sauce or a small pinch of salt.

Top with chopped roasted peanuts if using.

If this cucumber salad hit the spot, do me a quick favor—save the pin below to your Pinterest board so you can find it fast next time you’re craving something crunchy and fresh (and it helps other people discover it too).

Tips & Tricks for the Best Cucumber Salad

• Use English cucumbers if you can. They’re crisp, thin-skinned, and don’t need peeling. If you’re using regular cucumbers, peel them and scrape out the seeds so the salad doesn’t get watery.

• Seed the cucumbers (don’t skip it). That soft, wet center is what thins out the dressing. A quick scrape with a spoon keeps everything snappy.

• Salt the cucumbers for extra crunch. After slicing, sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt, let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry. This pulls out excess water and keeps the salad crisp longer.

• Dissolve the sugar fully. Whisk the dressing for a good 20–30 seconds. If the sugar isn’t dissolved, you’ll taste random sweet spots instead of a smooth balance.

• Chili heat is easy to control.

  • Mild: remove seeds and white ribs.

  • Spicy: keep seeds, or add a little more chili.

  • Using flakes? Start with 1/4 tsp—they build fast.

• Slice everything thin and even. Thin cucumbers and onion soak up the dressing better and are easier to eat. A mandoline helps, but a sharp knife works fine.

• Let it chill, but not forever. The sweet spot is 15–30 minutes in the fridge. It gets more flavorful without losing that fresh crunch. After a few hours it’s still good, just softer.

• Add peanuts right before serving. If you mix them in early, they soften. Toss them on top at the end for the best crunch.

• Taste and adjust.

  • More lime = brighter

  • A few extra drops of fish sauce = deeper and saltier

  • A small pinch of sugar = smoother and less sharp

• Make it a meal. Add shredded chicken, shrimp, or a handful of edamame and you’ve got an easy lunch bowl.

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