Chilli Lime Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Crisp cucumbers and red onion tossed with spicy lime dressing and fresh cilantro for a vibrant dish.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

→ Dressing

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon chili flakes
07 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili flakes, honey or agave, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Let the salad sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
05 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes, no cooking required, which means you can make it while everything else is still on the stove.
  • The balance of cool, spicy, and tangy feels like a little flavor surprise in every bite.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free without feeling like you're missing anything.
02 -
  • Don't slice your cucumbers more than an hour ahead or they'll start to weep and become soggy—timing matters more than you'd think with something this simple.
  • Toasting your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes before sprinkling them on makes a noticeable difference in flavor and feels fancier than it actually is.
03 -
  • If you're sensitive to heat, start with half a teaspoon of chili flakes and build up from there—it's easier to add spice than to remove it.
  • A tiny squeeze of honey or agave really does transform the salad by softening the sharpness and making everything feel more intentional.
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