The internet is obsessed with this crunchy, flavorful cucumber salad—and for good reason!

This viral TikTok cucumber salad recipe is, in my opinion, inspired by Asian cucumber salads that have been around forever. This version took off on social media thanks to its bold, savory flavors that keep you coming back for more.

My take on this viral dish has all the refreshing taste of the original but amps up the flavor with a bit of crispy chili oil for a satisfying kick (you can easily leave that out if you prefer!).

Why You’ll Love The TikTok Cucumber Salad:

• It’s Ultra-Crunchy – Freshly sliced cucumbers provide the perfect texture and refreshment.
• It’s Bold & Savory – A perfect balance of salty, tangy, garlicky, and spicy notes.
• It’s Quick & Easy – One of the biggest draws of the TikTok Cucumber Salad is that it comes together in just a few minutes with simple ingredients!
• It’s Healthy – This salad is full of fiber and a great way to up your veggie intake.

Ingredients

• Cucumber: You will need about 3-4 small Persian cucumbers or 1 large English cucumber. Thinly slice for the best texture.
• Soy sauce: If you are soy-free you can swap out for coconut aminos.
• Toasted sesame oil: Gives the rich, nutty aromatic flavor.
• Fish sauce: This adds a touch of sweet and a hint of tanginess. It doesn’t taste fishy when you add just a touch, but really does make a world of difference flavor-wise. I use the Red Boat brand.
• Sugar: Compliments and balances the savory flavors. I’m not worried about the small amount of sugar here.
• Garlic: 1 clove is all that is needed. You can grate or finely chop it.
• Green onions: I like to slice up two of them.
• Toasted sesame seeds: Don’t skip dry toasting them for a few minutes; it’s delicious and boosts the flavor.
• Optional: A chili crisp for added flavor & heat. Chili crisp is a jarred condiment of dried chili flakes in oil. You can find chili crisp at most grocery stores these days, or at an Asian supermarket if there’s one near you.
• Optional: Rice wine vinegar for an acidic twist on the original recipe. It’s nice to add but if you don’t have any you can skip it.
• *Some people add MSG, but I don’t have any, so didn’t add it, and it’s still amazing

See the printable recipe card below for the full recipe.

How to Make It

• Slice the Cucumbers – Thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds.
• Salt & Drain – Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then drain excess water.
• Make the Dressing – In a bowl, mix garlic, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
• Toss & Serve – Combine cucumbers with the dressing, top with crispy chili oil, sesame seeds, and green onions. Enjoy immediately or let it marinate for 20 minutes for extra flavor.

Customizations

• Add crushed peanuts for extra crunch.
• Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.
• Adjust spice levels by adding more or less chili oil.

Try this TikTok Cucumber Salad out and see what all the hype is about!

It’s packed with flavor and makes the perfect side dish or snack.

If you want more variety, find more cucumber salad recipes here.

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