Description
These quick Asian pickled cucumbers are crisp, tangy, and lightly sweet with a savory sesame-soy finish. Made with thin-skinned cucumbers, garlic, and ginger, they’re an easy, refreshing side or snack that comes together quickly and keeps well in the fridge.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces thin-skinned cucumbers
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste or 1-inch fresh ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 to 1 cup cold water
- Optional: sesame seeds, sliced shallots, green onions
Instructions
- Wash the cucumbers, trim the ends, and slice them thinly without peeling.
- Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat evenly.
- Let the cucumbers rest for 15 to 20 minutes to release excess moisture.
- Meanwhile, mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, agave syrup, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a separate bowl.
- Lift the cucumbers out of their liquid without rinsing and add them to the marinade.
- Pour in enough cold water to just cover the cucumbers and gently stir.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving, or longer for deeper flavor.
Notes
- Thin-skinned cucumbers like English or Persian work best for this recipe.
- Do not rinse the salt off the cucumbers, as it helps season them properly.
- Pickling time can be adjusted depending on how strong you like the flavor.
- These pickles are best enjoyed within three to four days for optimal crunch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American, Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cups
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1891 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
