The viral cucumber salad going around is worth the hype, though I have made a few adjustments after the first batch came out too watery to be worth serving. Salting and draining the cucumbers first is the step most versions online skip, and it is the one that matters most.
The viral cucumber salad, fixed
Slice cucumbers thin, salt them, and let them sit in a colander for 15 to 20 minutes before patting dry. Toss with rice vinegar, sesame oil, a little sugar, chili flakes, and sesame seeds. Skipping the salt-and-drain step is why some people find this salad disappointing.
Five more fresh salads worth making
1. Classic Italian chopped salad
Cut everything to a similar, small size so each bite has a bit of everything, rather than one giant piece of salami and three lettuce leaves.
2. Cucumber and tomato salad with feta
Salt the cucumbers the same way as above. Add feta and dressing just before serving to keep everything from turning soggy in the fridge.
3. Crunchy ramen noodle salad
Crush the raw ramen noodles and toast them briefly in a dry pan before adding, which brings out more flavor than tossing them in raw.
4. Corn and black bean salad
Fresh corn cut off the cob, quickly charred in a dry skillet, gives this real depth over using straight canned corn.
5. Watermelon and cucumber salad
A genuinely refreshing summer combination. Add a splash of lime and a few mint leaves right before serving since mint browns quickly once cut.
Storage
Vinegar-based salads like the cucumber ones keep 2 to 3 days in the fridge and often taste better on day two. Salads with fresh herbs or delicate greens are best eaten within a day.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my cucumber salad watery?
Cucumbers are mostly water, and salt draws it out. If you skip salting and draining first, that water ends up diluting your dressing within an hour.
Can I use English cucumbers instead of regular ones?
Yes, and they need less draining since they have fewer seeds and less water content to begin with.
What can I substitute for rice vinegar?
White wine vinegar with a small pinch of extra sugar is the closest substitute, though the flavor is slightly sharper.