Japanese Edamame and Cucumber Salad
A refreshing Japanese-inspired salad with steamed edamame, crisp cucumber, and a sesame-lime dressing for a light, umami-rich dish. This japanese-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs edamame, cucumber, carrots 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 210 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
- 1/2 cup edamame
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/4 cup carrots
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Steam edamame for 5 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside. Slice cucumber and carrots into 1/4-inch coins.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 3: Toss cucumber, carrots, and edamame with 1/3 of the dressing. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and remaining dressing. Serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese Edamame and Cucumber Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (20 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Japanese Edamame and Cucumber Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep edamame from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Japanese Edamame and Cucumber Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Japanese Edamame and Cucumber Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Japanese Edamame and Cucumber Salad?
Japanese salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
