Description
This Easy California Roll Cucumber Salad is a fresh, light dish inspired by the flavors of the classic California sushi roll. Featuring crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, and shredded crab meat tossed in a tangy rice vinegar and soy dressing, it’s a quick and refreshing salad perfect for warm days or as a light appetizer.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup imitation crab meat (or real crab if preferred), shredded
Dressing
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Slice the cucumbers thinly using a sharp knife or mandolin. Optionally, lightly salt the cucumber slices and let them sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess water, then pat dry with paper towels to prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, diced avocado, and shredded imitation crab meat. Gently toss to combine, taking care not to mash the avocado.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey (or sugar), and ground ginger if using. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more honey for sweetness or soy sauce for saltiness.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the cucumber, avocado, and crab mixture. Toss gently to evenly coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top for garnish. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor, or refrigerate for 15-30 minutes for a cooler, more marinated taste.
Notes
- Lightly salting cucumbers helps minimize excess moisture and keeps the salad crisp.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dressing.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be chilled briefly to enhance flavors.
- Substitute imitation crab with real crab meat for a more authentic taste.
- Optional ingredients like honey and ginger allow you to customize sweetness and spice level.
