Perfect Sunomono Salad Recipe: Japanese Cucumber Salad Made Easy
Sunomono salad is a refreshing Japanese cucumber salad that perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors. This traditional dish features thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in a simple rice vinegar dressing that creates a delightfully crisp texture and bright taste. The sunomono cucumber salad is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it an ideal side dish for any meal.
Versatile Accompaniment for Any Occasion
This sunomono salad recipe is wonderfully versatile and can complement virtually any main course. Whether you’re serving a Japanese-inspired feast or simply looking for a light, refreshing side to balance richer dishes, this cucumber salad sunomono fits the bill perfectly. For a more substantial option, try the sunomono salad with crab or create a vegetarian version that’s just as satisfying.
Sunomono Salad Ingredients: Simple, Fresh, and Flavorful
Fresh Produce and Pantry Staples
For this authentic sunomono cucumber salad, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients:
- 3 crunchy Japanese or Persian cucumbers
- 2 teaspoons salt (for drawing out moisture)
For the dressing:
- 2.25 tablespoons (31.5g) rice vinegar
- 0.75 tablespoon (10g) sugar
- 0.2 teaspoon (0.65g) salt
- 0.2 teaspoon (1.05g) soy sauce
- 0.75 teaspoon (2.2g) sesame seeds
How to Make Traditional Sunomono Salad Step-by-Step
Preparing the Cucumbers
- Slice the Japanese or Persian cucumbers very thinly, preferably using a mandolin slicer for uniform thickness. Transfer the sliced cucumbers to a medium-sized bowl.
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of salt over the cucumbers and toss thoroughly with your hands to ensure even salt coverage. This important step draws out excess moisture from the cucumbers. Let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to remove the salt, then drain well in a colander.
- Using your hands, firmly squeeze the cucumbers to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Don’t worry about squeezing too hard – the cucumbers are resilient and this step is crucial for the perfect texture of your sunomono salad.
Creating the Sunomono Dressing and Final Assembly
- In a small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients: 2.25 tablespoons rice vinegar, 0.75 tablespoon sugar, 0.2 teaspoon salt, and 0.2 teaspoon soy sauce. Stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
- Pour the dressing over the prepared cucumbers and toss well to ensure even coating. Allow the sunomono cucumber salad to marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. The salad can be prepared up to a day in advance for even better flavor development.
- Just before serving your Japanese cucumber salad, sprinkle with 0.75 teaspoon of sesame seeds for a delightful nutty finish and visual appeal.
Sunomono Salad Tips & Variations for Perfect Results Every Time
Expert Tips for Authentic Sunomono
- Choose the right cucumbers: Japanese or Persian cucumbers are ideal for sunomono salad because they have fewer seeds and firmer flesh than regular cucumbers. If unavailable, English cucumbers make a good substitute.
- Slice with precision: For the most authentic texture, slice the cucumbers as thinly as possible. A mandolin slicer creates perfect, uniform slices that absorb the dressing evenly.
- Don’t skip the salt cure: The salting process is crucial for removing excess moisture and ensuring a crisp texture. Without this step, your sunomono salad may become watery.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: Traditional recipe sunomono salad can be adjusted to your preference. If you prefer a sweeter salad, add a bit more sugar to the dressing.
- Let it marinate: While this salad can be served immediately after mixing, allowing it to marinate for at least an hour enhances the flavors significantly.
Delicious Sunomono Salad Variations
- Crab sunomono salad: Add 4 ounces of cooked crab meat to create a more substantial dish. Imitation crab (surimi) works well too.
- Seafood additions: Try adding cooked shrimp, octopus, or thinly sliced raw sashimi-grade fish for a protein boost.
- Wakame sunomono: Add 2 tablespoons of rehydrated wakame seaweed for an authentic Japanese touch.
- Vegetable additions: Incorporate thinly sliced radishes, carrots, or daikon for extra crunch and color.
- Spicy sunomono: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small amount of wasabi to the dressing for a pleasant heat.
Salad Dressings That Pair Well With This Sunomono Salad
Complementary Asian-Inspired Dressings
While sunomono salad traditionally comes with its own dressing, you might want to experiment with these complementary options:
- Homemade Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing: The zingy ginger flavor complements the cool cucumber perfectly, creating a more robust flavor profile for your cucumber salad sunomono. The aromatic ginger adds warmth that balances the crisp vegetables.
- Best Homemade Asian Sesame Dressing: For a nuttier take on your sunomono salad recipe, this sesame-forward dressing amplifies the sesame seeds already in the traditional version. The rich toasted notes create depth without overwhelming the delicate cucumber.
- Best Miso Vinaigrette: The umami richness of miso adds complexity to the simple sunomono cucumber salad. This savory option transforms the dish into something heartier while maintaining its refreshing qualities.
- Homemade Ginger Salad Dressing: A brighter, more pungent alternative that brings a lively kick to the subtle sweetness of traditional sunomono. The fresh ginger notes wake up the palate and enhance the salad’s cooling properties.
What to Serve With This Sunomono Salad
Perfect Pairings for Your Japanese Cucumber Salad
Sunomono salad makes an excellent accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes. Here are some ideal pairings:
- Japanese mains: Serve alongside teriyaki chicken, tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets), or a simple bowl of steamed rice and grilled salmon for an authentic Japanese meal.
- Sushi and sashimi: The clean, bright flavors of sunomono cucumber salad offer the perfect palate cleanser between bites of rich fish.
- Seaweed salad: Create a Japanese-inspired salad plate by pairing your sunomono with seaweed salad for complementary textures and flavors.
- Grilled proteins: The refreshing qualities of this salad make it an excellent side for grilled meats, seafood, or tofu, helping to balance richer flavors.
- Rice bowls: Add a scoop of sunomono salad to rice bowls or bento boxes for a cooling contrast to warm components.
Storage Tips for Keeping Your Sunomono Salad Fresh
Maintaining Optimal Texture and Flavor
One of the best things about this recipe sunomono salad is how well it keeps when stored properly:
- Refrigeration: Store your sunomono salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop over time, often making it even more delicious on day 2.
- Drain excess liquid: If you notice liquid pooling in the container after storage, drain it off before serving to maintain the salad’s crisp texture.
- Separation strategy: For maximum freshness when planning ahead, you can store the prepared cucumbers and dressing separately, combining them a few hours before serving.
- Avoid freezing: Cucumber-based salads do not freeze well, as the vegetables become mushy when thawed. This sunomono salad is best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of preparation.
FAQs About Sunomono Salad Recipe
What’s the difference between sunomono salad and regular cucumber salad?
Sunomono salad is specifically a Japanese cucumber salad characterized by its sweet-tangy rice vinegar dressing. The preparation method of salting and squeezing the cucumbers creates a distinct texture that’s crispier than many Western cucumber salads. Traditional sunomono also typically includes sesame seeds and sometimes seafood like crab.
Can I make sunomono salad without a mandolin slicer?
Yes, while a mandolin creates the most uniform, paper-thin slices that are traditional for authentic sunomono, you can use a very sharp knife and careful technique to slice the cucumbers thinly by hand. Just be sure to maintain consistent thickness for even marination and the proper texture in your cucumber salad sunomono.
Is sunomono salad healthy?
Sunomono cucumber salad is generally considered a healthy dish. It’s low in calories, with each serving containing approximately 42 calories. Cucumbers are high in water content and provide vitamins K and C, while the small amounts of sugar and salt in the dressing are minimal. For an even healthier version, you can reduce the sugar slightly without significantly affecting the taste of your sunomono salad recipe.
Enjoy This Refreshing Japanese Classic
A Light, Versatile Addition to Your Recipe Collection
This traditional sunomono salad brings a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors to your table. The crisp cucumber texture and bright vinegar notes create a refreshing dish that complements almost any meal. Whether you make the classic recipe or try one of the variations like crab sunomono salad, this simple Japanese cucumber salad is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.
The beauty of this sunomono cucumber salad lies in its simplicity and versatility. It requires minimal ingredients, comes together quickly, and stores beautifully. Next time you’re looking for a light side dish that offers a perfect counterpoint to richer main courses, remember this authentic recipe sunomono salad. Your taste buds – and your dinner guests – will thank you!
Other Salads to Try
Traditional Japanese Sunomono Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice cucumbers very thinly using a mandolin slicer or sharp knife.
- Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Rinse thoroughly and drain well.
- Squeeze cucumbers firmly to remove excess moisture.
- Combine rice vinegar, sugar, salt and soy sauce in a small bowl until dissolved.
- Pour dressing over cucumbers and marinate for at least 1 hour in refrigerator.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds just before serving.
Notes
- For best results, allow the salad to marinate overnight.
- For a more substantial dish, add crab meat or other seafood.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
