Mouthwatering TikTok Cucumber Salad

I’ll be honest—I was skeptical when I first saw everyone making cucumber salad on TikTok, but after one bite of this crunchy, garlicky masterpiece, I was completely hooked. The combo of crisp cucumber and toasted sesame oil creates this addictive flavor that I literally can’t stop eating straight from the bowl. Trust me, you need this in your life ASAP!

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 120-150
• Protein: 4-5 g
• Fat: 8-10 g
• Carbohydrates: 10-13 g

Ingredients

For the base:

• 1 large English cucumber (thinly sliced using a mandoline for uniform 1/8-inch rounds)
• 3 green onions (thinly sliced)
• 1.5 tbsp sesame seeds (lightly toasted for better aroma and crunch)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (for draws out moisture)

For the dressing:

• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce (I use Kikkoman Less Sodium)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp fish sauce (I prefer Red Boat for its pure flavor)
• 1.5 tsp sugar
• 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp chili crisp (I highly recommend Lao Gan Ma for the best texture)
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 pinch MSG (optional, for savory depth)

Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics and Seasonings

• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1.5 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 1 pinch MSG

While you're slicing the cucumber, prepare all your aromatics and seasonings so they're ready to go.

Finely mince the 2 garlic cloves and grate the fresh ginger.

Measure out the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, and MSG (if using) into a small bowl—this is your dressing base.

Having everything prepped means your salad will come together quickly without any delays once the cucumber releases its liquid.

Step 2: Toast the Sesame Seeds and Slice the Cucumber

• 1.5 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced

In a small dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the sesame seeds for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden.

Transfer to a plate to cool.

Meanwhile, using a mandoline, thinly slice the English cucumber into uniform 1/8-inch rounds—this creates that satisfying thin, delicate texture that makes this salad work so well.

I like to place a towel under my mandoline to catch any water and keep my work surface dry.

Step 3: Draw Out Cucumber Moisture with Salt

• sliced cucumbers from Step 2
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl and sprinkle evenly with the kosher salt.

Toss gently to distribute the salt throughout.

Let the cucumbers sit for 10 minutes—the salt draws out excess water that would otherwise make the salad watery.

After 10 minutes, drain the accumulated liquid by pouring the cucumbers into a colander or carefully tilting the bowl and pressing gently with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 4: Build the Dressing and Combine

• drained cucumbers from Step 3
• prepared dressing mixture from Step 1

Return the drained cucumbers to the bowl.

Pour the prepared dressing mixture from Step 1 (with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, and MSG) directly over the cucumbers and toss gently to coat everything evenly.

The warm aromatics will begin to infuse the cucumber slices with incredible flavor.

For the best result, let this sit for just 2-3 minutes before adding the final components—this allows the flavors to start melding.

Step 5: Finish with Crunch and Brightness

• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• toasted sesame seeds from Step 2
• 2 tsp chili crisp

Thinly slice the green onions and add them to the bowl along with the toasted sesame seeds from Step 2 and the chili crisp.

Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure the chili crisp is distributed evenly throughout.

I always use Lao Gan Ma chili crisp because it has the perfect balance of heat, oil, and crispy bits that give this salad its signature texture and appeal.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—you may want a touch more soy sauce or chili crisp depending on your preference.

Mouthwatering TikTok Cucumber Salad

Delicious Mouthwatering TikTok Cucumber Salad recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 135

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

For the base

• 1 large English cucumber (thinly sliced using a mandoline for uniform 1/8-inch rounds)
• 3 green onions (thinly sliced)
• 1.5 tbsp sesame seeds (lightly toasted for better aroma and crunch)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (for draws out moisture)

For the dressing

• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce (I use Kikkoman Less Sodium)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp fish sauce (I prefer Red Boat for its pure flavor)
• 1.5 tsp sugar
• 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp chili crisp (I highly recommend Lao Gan Ma for the best texture)
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 pinch MSG (optional, for savory depth)

Method

 

1. While you're slicing the cucumber, prepare all your aromatics and seasonings so they're ready to go. Finely mince the 2 garlic cloves and grate the fresh ginger. Measure out the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, and MSG (if using) into a small bowl—this is your dressing base. Having everything prepped means your salad will come together quickly without any delays once the cucumber releases its liquid.
2. In a small dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the sesame seeds for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden. Transfer to a plate to cool. Meanwhile, using a mandoline, thinly slice the English cucumber into uniform 1/8-inch rounds—this creates that satisfying thin, delicate texture that makes this salad work so well. I like to place a towel under my mandoline to catch any water and keep my work surface dry.
3. Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl and sprinkle evenly with the kosher salt. Toss gently to distribute the salt throughout. Let the cucumbers sit for 10 minutes—the salt draws out excess water that would otherwise make the salad watery. After 10 minutes, drain the accumulated liquid by pouring the cucumbers into a colander or carefully tilting the bowl and pressing gently with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
4. Return the drained cucumbers to the bowl. Pour the prepared dressing mixture from Step 1 (with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, and MSG) directly over the cucumbers and toss gently to coat everything evenly. The warm aromatics will begin to infuse the cucumber slices with incredible flavor. For the best result, let this sit for just 2-3 minutes before adding the final components—this allows the flavors to start melding.
5. Thinly slice the green onions and add them to the bowl along with the toasted sesame seeds from Step 2 and the chili crisp. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure the chili crisp is distributed evenly throughout. I always use Lao Gan Ma chili crisp because it has the perfect balance of heat, oil, and crispy bits that give this salad its signature texture and appeal. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—you may want a touch more soy sauce or chili crisp depending on your preference.