This easy to make and exceptionally budget friendly Filipino Cucumber Salad is the perfect side dish for grilled meats and fish. It even works as a light afternoon snack as well, it's fresh, crunchy and tasty with homemade Filipino style vinaigrette.
So if you are in need of some easy sides ideas for your cookout, look no further than this simple and easy to make salad. It's ready to serve in just a few minutes!
What is Filipino Cucumber Salad?
Also known as Ensaladang Pipino in the Philippines, this salad utilizes cucumber slices for it's base. Sliced thin and tossed with a few other ingredients, you get a sweet, tangy, and crunchy salad.
We will keep the salad and the Filipino style vinaigrette separate until we are ready to eat, this is due to cucumbers high water content.
The sweet and tangy sauce, and the crisp and crunchy vegetables, make a perfect contrast for barbecued meats and fish!
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient Notes
- Cucumber: you can use any type of cucumber for this recipe. If you are using English cucumbers which they have thin skin, no need to peel them.
- Onion: we are using red onions. This adds colour and also extra flavour for this recipe.
- Fish Sauce: the umami flavour.
- Vinegar: I like to use cane vinegar (Datu Puti). Feel free to use distilled white or balsamic vinegar.
- Sugar: white or brown sugar for some sweetness. It balances the tangy flavour from vinegar.
- Chili Flakes: you can use Thai chili pepper instead. Skip if you don't like spicy. (Optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1. In a small mixing bowl, combine vinegar, fish sauce, chili flakes, sugar, salt and pepper.
Step 2. In a large bowl, combine cucumber and red onions.
Step 3. Add vinegar mixture and toss until combine.
Should I peel cucumbers?
Some cucumbers have thin skins like English Cucumbers, no need to peel them. However I am using this regular cucumber which is thicker and bigger. You have two options; you can peel few strips around the cucumber or peel completely. Mine I like to peel few strips for extra crunchy.
How to remove wax from Cucumbers?
First make sure to wash cucumber with cold water. Soak cucumber with equal amount of water and vinegar. Rub cucumber with kitchen towel to remove wax. Rinse again with cold water and use immediately.
Try this refreshing salad
Looking for Filipino Recipes to try for Dinner
- coconut milk chicken adobo
- air fryer lechon kawali
- sweet and sour tilapia
- beef giniling
- filipino beef curry
Did you make this Filipino Cucumber Salad today? I’d love to hear on the comment section below. Or let’s get social! Follow and tag me on Facebook and Instagram.
Filipino Cucumber Salad (Ensaladang Pipino)
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers washed and thinly sliced
- 1 small onion peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ cup vinegar
- 3 teaspoon fish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine vinegar, fish sauce, chili flakes, sugar, salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine cucumber and red onions.
- Add vinegar mixture and toss until combine.
Notes
- Cucumber: you can use any type of cucumber for this recipe. If you are using English cucumbers which they have thin skin, no need to peel them.
- Onion: we are using red onions. This adds colour and also extra flavour for this recipe.
- Fish Sauce: the umami flavour.
- Vinegar: I like to use cane vinegar (Datu Puti). Feel free to use distilled white or balsamic vinegar.
- Sugar: white or brown sugar for some sweetness. It balances the tangy flavour from vinegar.
- Note: keep the salad and the Filipino style vinaigrette separate until we are ready to eat, this is due to cucumbers high water content.
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