Cucumber Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

A refreshing Thai cucumber salad tossed in a zesty lime dressing with a hint of heat and a perfect balance of sweet and sour. This Thai-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs English cucumber, red onion, fresh cilantro leaves into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 medium English cucumber
• 1/4 medium red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp crushed peanuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: Thinly slice 2 medium English cucumbers into half-moons and finely slice 1/4 medium red onion; place them in a large bowl.
2. Step 2: Chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and add to the bowl along with the cucumbers and onions.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 1/4 tsp salt until the sugar dissolves.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss gently to combine, letting it marinate for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle 2 tbsp crushed peanuts over the salad for crunch and garnish.